Bobby Brown Through The Years

November 4, 2026 1

THE AMERICAN SINGER BOBBY BROWN IN PARIS — Eric Robert

Additional reporting by Jazmine Pendleton

Robert Barisford Brown, born February 5, 1969, is the American singer, songwriter and dancer we’ve come to know and love simply as Bobby Brown.

Alongside frequent collaborator Teddy Riley, he’s noted as one of the pioneers of fusing hip-hop and R&B in the form of New Jack Swing. His claim-to-fame of course begins with the R&B and pop group, New Edition, from its inception in 1978 until his exit from the group in December 1985. Thankfully they’ve had many, many reunions since then.

His solo career would garner both commercial and critical success, especially with his 1988 sophomore album, Don’t Be Cruel. The megahit spawned five Billboard Hot 100 top 10 singles, including the number one hit “My Prerogative,” and the GRAMMY-winning fan-favorite, “Every Little Step.” Later in 1989, Brown contributed two songs to the soundtrack of Ghostbusters II. In 1992, he would marry superstar singer Whitney Houston, with whom he later had a daughter named Bobbi Kristina Brown. Love, loss and a whirlwind of tabloid fodder marked the majority of their time together, with photos being the key to some of their greatest moments before the fateful end of both Whitney and Bobbi Kristina.

Brown is now remarried to Alicia Etheredge, sharing three kids together and a host of extended family. He’s also back on the road with the guys of New Edition, and he’s still got the moves even today.

40 New Edition Photos That Show Their 40-Year Evolution

Early photographs remind us of Brown’s humble beginnings with New Edition, where he first gained fame and captured the hearts of music fans. Pictures from his solo career document a meteoric rise to success, a time filled with energetic performances, fashionable style, music videos, concerts and award appearances. Even in recent years, the legend era of his career has proven to be just as photo-worthy.