Robert Barisford "Bobby" Brown (born February 5, 1969) is an American (United States) R&B (contemporary R&B) singer-songwriter, occasional rapper, and dancer. After success in pop group New Edition, Brown began his solo career in 1987 and had a string of Top 10 Billboard (Billboard magazine) hits, culminating in a Grammy Award. He was a pioneer of New Jack Swing music, a fusion of hip hop and R&B. His second album, Dont Be Cruel (Dont Be Cruel (album)), included popular songs such as "My Prerogative". Brown is the ex-husband of R&B singer Whitney Houston and starred in the reality show Being Bobby Brown.