Bobby Brown

Bobby Brown first found fame as a teenager with the R&B boy band New Edition before launching a controversial solo career which included the highs of his classic single My Prerogative but included an acrimonious break-up with his wife Whitney Houston, drug problems, accusations of assault and a spell in prison. Brown formed New Edition with childhood friend Michael Bivins and they had a series of hits with Candy Girl, Cool It Now and Mr Telephone Man before launching his solo career with the album King Of Stage in 1986. Raunchy live performances marked his transformation from teen idol to serious R&B singer with the 1988 album Don't Be Cruel, which included the US Number 1, My Prerogative. Next album Bobby also did well in 1992, with the hit single Humpin' Around, but Brown's subsequent personal problems and adverse publicity hampered his career and his next album Forever in 1997 was far less successful. He subsequently made guest appearances with Ja Rule, Damien Marley and Macy Gray and in 2008 formed a new group Heads Of State with Ralph Tresvant and Johnny Gill.