Bobby Barisford Brown Sr. Once he started a solo career, Brown enjoyed commercial and critical success with his second album Don't Be Cruel which spawned five Billboard Hot top 10 singles, including the number one hit " My Prerogative ", and the Grammy Award βwinning " Every Little Step ". The couple's drug problems and domestic disputes made them tabloid fodder. He returned to New Edition for a reunion album and tour from to , and returned with all six members for another stint in Brown and Houston starred in the reality show Being Bobby Brown.
Houston, who filed for divorce in , died in Their daughter died in Brown was born in Boston , Massachusetts , [ 4 ] as one of eight children. His mother Carole Elizabeth born Williams was a substitute teacher, and his father Herbert James Brown was a construction worker.
This performance sparked his dream of becoming a professional singer. Brown joined the church choir, where he recognized and developed his singing abilities. Brown was also familiar with Tresvant since they were children. In , they became a quintet when their manager Brooke Payne insisted on bringing in his nephew Ronnie DeVoe , to complete the group.
After performing in several talent shows in the Boston area in , they signed a deal with fellow Bostonian Arthur Baker 's Streetwise Records, who released their debut album Candy Girl.
Brown's first full lead vocal performance was on the New Edition ballad "Jealous Girl", which was a minor hit when it also charted in The group became pop sensations with their self-titled second release. The album included the crossover hits " Cool It Now " and " Mr. Telephone Man ", which Brown also co-led. Brown was featured on two more New Edition albums before leaving the group in early Some controversy arose over the way Brown was removed from the group.
