Bobby Brown

Bobby Brown, born February 5, 1969, is an American singer, songwriter, and dancer. After success with the pop group “New Edition,” Brown began his solo career in 1987 and had a string of Top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, leading to him winning a Grammy Award. He pioneered the jack swing musical style, a fusion of hip hop and R&B. Brown is the ex-husband of singer Whitney Houston and starred in the reality show “Being Bobby Brown.” We’ll help you celebrate his special day right here!

Fast Facts

Full Name:

Robert Barisford Brown

Nickname:

Bobby Brown

Birth date:

February 5, 1969

Age:

55

Zodiac Sign:

Aquarius

Height:

5' 10"

Relationship Status:

Married

Net Worth:

$2 million

Robert's Social Media:

Background

Bobby Brown is the seventh of eight children born to Herbert Brown, a construction worker, and Carole, a teacher. Since he was three years old Brown idolized the singer James Brown and dreamt of being a singer like him. His talent was noticed when he joined the church choir.

Bobby Brown and his childhood friends Michael Bovines and Ricky Bell formed a boyband called “New Edition” in 1978. During the next four years, Ralph Tresvant and Ronnie DeVoe also joined the band. In 1982, they placed second at the “Hollywood Talent Night” held at Boston’s Strand Theater hosted by music producer Maurice Starr. Impressed with their performance, Starr signed them to “Streetwise Records.” The boyband’s 1983 debut album “Candy Girl” featured the hits ‘Is This the End, ‘Popcorn Love’, ‘Jealous Girl’ and ‘Candy Girl’, which topped the American and British R&B charts. The band’s second album, “New Edition,” was released in 1983. This album was better than their debut album with hits like ‘Cool It Now’ and ‘Mr. Telephone Man’ and reached double platinum in the USA.

The 1985 album “All for Love,” despite being certified platinum and featuring tracks such as ‘Count Me Out’, ‘A Little Bit of Love’ and ‘With You All the Way’, failed to match the success. of its predecessors. Brown felt that the singers were being underpaid and he was also jealous of bandmate Ralph Tresvant’s growing popularity. Brown left the band to perform amid news that he was forced out. After a contract with MCA Records, Steven Machat became their manager. Brown’s debut solo album, “King of Stage” (1986), did not do well, however, the ballad “Girlfriend” was a number-one hit. He embarked on a hugely successful tour to promote the album “Don’t Be Cruel” in 1988.

However, in the latter stages of the tour, he was criticized for his rude acts. His album, “Bobby,” in 1992, sold 2 million copies, but it also failed compared to previous albums. His singles, ‘Humpin’ Around,’ ‘Get Away’ and ‘Good Enough,’ ‘That’s How Love Is,’ were hits. His fourth solo album, “Forever” (1997), flopped due to inadequate promotion and his persistence in writing and producing the songs. He resurfaced in 2002 for a duet with rapper Ja Rule on “Thug Lovin.”

Career timeline

1986
The King of Stage

Brown’s debut album hits number one on the charts with “Girlfriend,” but the album doesn't do so well.

1989
The Best Song of The Year

His song “Don't Be Cruel” is nominated for the Best Song Of The Year Award.

1993
The Award Nomination

Brown is nominated for the American Music Award for Favorite Male Soul/R&B Artist and won!

2001
The Commemorative Event

Brown participates in "The Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration," which is a concert and TV show held at Square Garden, New York City to celebrate 30 years of Michael's solo career.

2005
The Documentary Premiers

It is a reality show filmed over six months that shows his life and his marriage to Whitney Houston.

2017
The Film about Witney

The 2017 British-American documentary was released, co-produced, and co-directed by Nick Broomfield, whose theme of the film is the life and career of singer Whitney Houston, of which Bobby is a significant part.

Why We Love Bobby Brown

  1. The pioneer boyband

    Brown’s boyband "New Edition" opened doors for other boy bands to emerge. “Backstreet Boys” and “NSYNC” are some examples.

  2. The 'Running Man' dance

    As a dancer, Brown is credited with popularizing the famous 'Running Man' dance. And he claims to have taught Michael Jackson the 'moonwalk,' based on 'Running Man.'

  3. “I wanna dance with somebody”

    Ashton Sanders will play him in the upcoming Whitney Houston biopic. "I Wanna Dance with Somebody," is slated for a Christmas 2022 release.

5 Surprising Facts

  1. He was a teenage father

    At the age of 17, Brown has his first child, Landon, with Melika Williams.

  2. Married to the prom queen of soul

    He was married to Whitney Houston and had a daughter with the singer.

  3. Problems with drugs

    His marriage to Whitney did not withstand his drug abuse and they divorced.

  4. Second marriage

    Shortly after his divorce from Whitney Houston, he started dating Alicia Etheredge, whom he married in 2012 and had a daughter in 2010.

  5. Problems with alcohol

    He was arrested on several occasions for drunk driving, and in 2013 he was ordered to attend three Alcoholics Anonymous meetings weekly for 18 months.

Bobby Brown FAQs

Did Bobby Brown date Alicia Keys?

No, but he did date and marry his manager Alicia Etheredge.

Who is Bobby Brown's youngest child?

His youngest child is Hendrix Estelle Sheba Brown who was born in 2016.

How is Bobby Brown doing?

Brown has been sober for 19 years from drugs and almost two years sober from alcohol.

Bobby Brown’s birthday dates

YearDateDay
2025February 5Wednesday
2026February 5Thursday
2027February 5Friday
2028February 5Saturday
2029February 5Monday

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