Tag Archives: Bobby Brown

J. Cole Schools Students At Harvard University

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J. Cole Schools Students At Harvard University

By Sidney Madden

Seems like hip-hop and higher learning are going hand-in-hand these days. J. Cole spoke to a packed classroom at Harvard University (via Rap-Up) on Tuesday about his journey through the world of rap. The 28-year-old MC, hailing from Fayetteville, NC participated in the talk as a part of an hour long discourse titled, “The Next Move: A Conversation with J. Cole.”

Emphasizing his ‘started from the bottom’ type of story, Cole spoke about early musical influences including Kool Moe Dee, Bobby Brown and Michael Jackson and credited his step-father for putting him on to West Coast rap.  “He was on this real West Coast wave; Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, Snoop,” he told students. “Those were some of the earliest ones.”

J. Cole Lost Two Of His Favorite Beats To Nas, Rick Ross

After giving up on his hoop dreams of playing in the NBA (literally), the St John’s University grad “relentlessly” dedicated his time to the rap game. Answering a student submitted question, Cole went into detail about where he draws inspirations for his intricate rhymes, like dealing with stereotypes on a daily basis.

“I build up a bank of thoughts and observations…and then as I’m writing, they kind of slip in” he explained, citing his message in the song “The Badness” off of his ‘09 mixtape, The Warm Up, as evidence. At the end of the discussion, Cole thanked his agreeable audience and tweeted “Harvard, that was ill,” later adding, “Lemme stop being cool, THAT SH– WAS AMAZING. Thanks.”

Bobbi Kristina Tries Singing, Following In Whitney Houston’s Footsteps

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By Uptin Saiidi (@uptin)

The wait is over. On Wednesday night (November 28) Whitney Houston‘s daughter, Bobbi Kristina, will finally show off her vocals skills to the world in a new episode of “The Houstons: On Our Own.” The Lifetime reality show follows Houston’s family as they move past her death, and as her daughter tries to follow in her footsteps and pursue a musical career.In an MTV News exclusive teaser a clip, we find Bobbi Kristina meeting privately with Ricky Minor, the producer and director of her mother’s 1991 Super Bowl performance of “The Star Spangled Banner.”

Having little experience in singing, meeting Minor didn’t come without hesitation for Kristina. “I wasn’t sure if I was in the mood for meeting or anything, but I know this is an opportunity that my mother would love for me to take. I’m gonna take it and I’m gonna run with it,” she says in the clip.

Before urging her to sing Minor warns her that people might compare her, not only to her mother, but also to her father Bobby Brown and her grandmother Cissy Houston too. She admits she’s well aware of the pressure, “Of course I’m going to be compared to my mother. Being her daughter is a huge blessing, but also a curse at times.”

Kristina affirms that it’s too early in her career to get herself bogged down now. “I have a really versatile voice, so I don’t really know yet what genre I’m going to be in.” Minor pushes BK to start singing for him after their initial discussion, in which she seems reluctant before finally deciding to give it a try.

In tonight’s episode, she will sing one of Whitney’s biggest hits, “I’m Your Baby Tonight.” The episode premieres November 28 at 9 p.m on Lifetime.

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Bobbi Kristina Will Make Singing Debut On ‘Houstons’: Watch Now!

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The moment fans of the Lifetime reality show “The Houstons: On Our Own” have been waiting for is finally here. Bobbi Kristina, after months of speculation that she would indeed follow in her late mother Whitney Houston‘s footsteps, will let the world hear her sing.

The new episode teaser, released exclusively to MTV News, shows the budding chanteuse in a private meeting with Ricky Minor, former producer and musical director for her mother’s iconic performance of “The Star Spangled Banner” at Super Bowl XXV in 1991.

“Ricky Minor is a music director and producer,” Bobbi says in the clip. “He did my mom’s ‘Star Spangled Banner’ Super Bowl version, of course, and he did ‘American Idol.’ To say the least, he’s huge. At this point, I wasn’t sure if I was in the mood for meeting or anything, but I know this is an opportunity that my mother would love for me to take. I’m gonna take it and I’m gonna run with it.”

The 19-year old songstress confided in Whitney’s former voice coach that she was ready to refocus on her music because she stopped singing after her mother passed.

“I’ve worked with your mother for all those years, over thirty years, it gives me great insight to not only what great singing is, but the work ethic, because the talent is one thing, but it’s really important to find your voice,” Minor tells her. “How do you see yourself? Her influence, her spirit, all of that is already built in you. So it’s really taking that and moving that forward.”

Asked to describe her sound, Bobbi told the band leader for “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” that it was a compilation of “everything.”

“I have a really versatile voice, so I don’t really know yet what genre I’m going to be in,” she says.

Before urging Whitney’s only child to sing for him, Minor warned her that people would compare her to the late pop music icon, her father Bobby Brown and her grandmother Cissy Houston, but that finding her own voice outside of the family legacy was the key.

“Of course I’m going to be compared to my mother,” Bobbi says. “Being her daughter is a huge blessing, but also a curse at times.”

There is a tense moment of trepidation on Bobbi’s part after she’s put on the spot to belt out a tune, but after tempering expectations, she obliges.

Spoiler alert: MTV News can exclusively reveal that the song Bobbi will cut her musical teeth on is one of Whitney’s biggest hits, “I’m Your Baby Tonight.”

Whether her singing voice will live up to expectations will be up to viewers, who can catch the episode on the Lifetime network November 28 at 9 p.m.

Whitney Houston’s Mother To Write ‘Unabridged’ Memoir

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Whitney Houston’s mother, gospel great Cissy Houston, is prepping a memoir on her famous daughter that promises to tell the “unabridged and unbelievable” story of Whitney’s career.

According to the Associated Press the untitled book is scheduled to come out in February, one year after the Grammy-winning singer died
 of accidental drowning in her Beverly Hills hotel bathtub on the eve of the Grammys at age 48.

“When I lost my daughter Nippy (Whitney Houston’s nickname), the world lost one of the most beautiful voices and an extraordinarily beautiful and charitable woman,” Cissy Houston said in a statement released by the book’s publisher. “In sharing our story in this book, I hope to give her fans something to treasure, the way we all treasured Whitney. We are still receiving thousands of letters each day from her fans, and I hope reading this book will provide a deeper understanding into my daughter’s true story.

Publisher HarperCollins promised that Cissy Houston would write with, “candor, honesty and respect,” in chronicling her daughter’s career heights, as well as Whitney’s legendary drug problems, tumultuous marriage to singer Bobby Brown and her own grief.

“She will tell the unabridged and unbelievable story of her daughter’s life as well as her own, addressing Whitney’s brightest and darkest moments while helping fans around the world understand the complexities of this extraordinary star who died much too soon,” the publisher said.

A portion of the proceeds from the sales of the book will be donated to Newark, New Jersey’s New Hope Baptist Church, the house of worship where Whitney grew up singing in the choir, as well as the church where her funeral was held.

“Ultimately, Cissy will go behind the headlines to show the true, human side of this strong, successful yet complicated musical icon, capturing the dramatic depths and soaring range of an extraordinary woman, along with the pain and heartbreak of a grieving mother as she struggles with impossible loss,” according to the publisher.

Before Houston’s book hits shelves, a documentary focusing on the 48 hours before this year’s Grammy awards will premier on June 11 at the Academy of Television Arts Sciences. The 26-minute movie will look at how the show dealt with Houston’s death and include interviews with host LL Cool J, Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters, Bruce Springsteen and Jennifer Hudson.

Chris Brown ‘Should Be Respected,’ Bobby Brown Says

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Bobby Brown has been on the road with New Edition over the past few months for the group’s 30th anniversary tour, and as the veteran entertainer gets ready to drop his fifth album, The Masterpiece, he’s showering praise on contemporary stars like Chris Brown, Trey Songz and Usher who have furthered his RB legacy.

During the height of New Edition‘s popularity in the ’80s, Brown cemented a bad-boy image that stuck with him throughout the years, sometimes to his detriment. The new generation of RB singers have faced their own unique challenges after being thrust into the spotlight, and maybe none as obvious as Chris Brown. Still, Bobby Brown thinks the young star isn’t doing too badly for himself. “He’s good; he’s a church boy compared to me,” Brown told MTV News matter-of-factly.

“Chris Brown is incredible. [He's] an incredible dancer, incredible singer. I respect him a lot because he’s held his head up throughout everything that he’s been through,” Brown said, addressing the singer’s much-publicized assault case against ex-girlfriend Rihanna. “He’s only been through a little bit, but the boy is talented and you can’t take talent away. Talent is given from God, you can’t learn what he does. He’s a bona fide entertainer and he should be respected.”

Despite the setbacks Chris Breezy has faced, Bobby Brown is confident that he has what it takes to stick around in the long run. “He’s still young and he’s got a long way to go. I’m 30 years deep into this entertainment thing and I could see him 30 years from now, still doing what he does — flipping and singing and dancing,” Brown continued. “And now he’s getting ready to do a movie, so he’s covering the spectrum of entertainment.”

Chris isn’t the only millennial entertainer who gets praise from Bobby Brown, though. “Trey Songz is definitely a talented brother, he’s a talented writer, talented singer,” he adds. “I just love the new generation of RB singers, I think they’re upholding what entertainment is about. I got it from Rick James and Michael Jackson, and I’m just grateful that they’re taking what I love, what I’m passionate about, to the next level and keeping it young and fresh.”

Usher, who will release his new album, Looking 4 Myself, just one week after The Masterpiece drops on June 5, is also on top of the list. “Before Usher even had a record out, I was training him, I’m surprised I didn’t put him out,” Brown said. “I worked with him a lot, teaching him different ways of training your body to dance and I’m proud of him. I’m glad he kept everything together.”

Brown will continue his mission to entertain the masses with The Masterpiece, which is his first album in 14 years. And although he’s got respect for the new crop of singers, he maintains that he needed to fly solo this time around. “This project is about me as an individual and me as far as growth in my life, so I didn’t really want to go all commercial with it, and to make it something that became a spectacle.” Brown admitted. “This is all about Bobby right now. It’s just to get this off my heart and once this is released and people are able to hear it and appreciate it, then I can move forward with my life.”

The Masterpiece, is set for release on June 5, led by the single “Don’t Let Me Die.”

Do you agree with Bobby Brown’s praise of Chris Brown? Leave your comment below!

bd9fe spotted Chris Brown Should Be Respected, Bobby Brown Says

Bobby Brown Says Goodbye To Whitney Houston On New Song

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Since Whitney Houston passed away in February, her ex-husband, Bobby Brown, has only opened up about her death in one interview on the “Today” show, but during a Wednesday night appearance on the “Tonight Show With Jay Leno,” the RB singer paid tribute to Houston with a new song.

“Don’t Let Me Die” finds Brown musing on mistakes he made during his relationship with Houston. “I didn’t realize that every breath I took was from you,” he sang, dressed in black, “You were my air.”

The new song will be featured on Brown’s upcoming album The Masterpiece, set to debut on June 5. It will be his first album since 1997′s Forever. “I guess I [messed] up pretty bad/ I didn’t know who you were/ I didn’t know what we had,” Brown continued to sing. “Now I’m stuck living in the past/ Trying to get the pieces back/ But I guess now you’re gone.”

Brown’s tumultuous marriage to Houston was well-documented on their reality TV series “Being Bobby Brown,” which showed the couple’s difficult battle with drugs. When Houston died, she left behind 19-year-old daughter Bobbi Kristina, who reportedly has a strained relationship with her dad.

During his visit to the “Today” show in April, Brown defended himself against constant accusations that he was responsible for Houston’s drug use, saying she was using drugs before they met in 1991. “I smoked weed, I drank the beer, but no, I wasn’t the one that got Whitney on drugs at all,” Brown told “Today” host Matt Lauer.”It’s just, it’s just unexplainable, how one could [say that I] got her addicted to drugs. I’m not the reason she’s gone.”

Houston’s family — including daughter Bobbi Kristina, brother Gary Houston and sister-in-law Patricia Houston — are set to appear in an upcoming Lifetime reality series.

Bobby Brown Says He Still Loved Whitney Houston ‘With Everything’

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31e62 bobbybrown Bobby Brown Says He Still Loved Whitney Houston With EverythingBy Kate Callahan

In his first interview since Whitney Houston’s death, her ex-husband Bobby Brown spoke to Matt Lauer of NBC’s “Today” show, admitting that he is still in love with Whitney. “Our relationship was great,” said Brown. “I had 14 beautiful, beautiful years with that woman.” In the interview, which aired Wednesday morning, Brown also stated “I can honestly say that I love that woman with everything that I am. And I believe she loved me the same way.”

Many people believed that Brown was the reason Houston started using drugs in the first place. As seen on their 2005 reality show “Being Bobby Brown,” Houston and Brown’s drug use affected their relationship in a highly negative way. Brown claims that before meeting Houston he would drink alcohol and smoke marijuana, but that she had in fact introduced him to harder drugs. “I worried about it when we first got together until I tried it,” he said. “And when I tried it, for some reason, I have an addictive personality.”

When Brown and Houston separated in 2006, Brown tried to clean up his act and assumed Houston was doing the same and did not realize she was still battling her cocaine use. “I was hurt … because, you know, me being off of narcotics for the last seven years — I felt that she was, you know, I didn’t know she was struggling with it still. But at the same time, you know — listen, it’s a hard fight,” he said. Brown also said he regrets not being there to help Houston with her drug problems, saying “I coulda done something different, you know to ensure that she had a longer life.”

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Bobby Brown Denies Introducing Whitney Houston To Drugs

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a1d30 bobbybrown Bobby Brown Denies Introducing Whitney Houston To DrugsBy Kara Warner

Whitney Houston’s roller coaster relationship with Bobby Brown was made very public over the years and when the singer died in February, a few fingers immediately pointed at Brown. Brown has remained silent since Houston passed away, but he recently sat down for an interview on the “Today” show (airing later this week) where he denied introducing her to drugs. 

Their relationship may have been tumultuous and their struggles with substance abuse well-documented, Bobby Brown insists that he is not the reason ex-wife Whitney Houston started doing drugs, a habit that she battled right up until her death in February.

Bobby Brown’s Sister Blames Ray J For Whitney Houston’s Cocaine Use

“I’m not the one that got Whitney on drugs, at all,” Brown told “Today” host Matt Lauer in an interview set to air on Wednesday and Thursday. “I’m not the reason she’s gone.” Brown admitted that when he learned of his ex’s death, he was saddened to hear she had started using cocaine again.

“I was hurt … because, you know, me being off of narcotics for the last seven years — I felt that she was, you know, I didn’t know she was struggling with it still. But at the same time, you know — listen, it’s a hard fight,” he said.

Whitney Houston’s Sister-In-Law Defends Bobby Brown On Oprah

Regarding his involvement in Houston’s drug use, Brown said that drugs were a part of Houston’s life before they met in 1991. “I smoked weed, I drank the beer, but no, I wasn’t the one that got Whitney on drugs at all,” he insisted. “It’s just, it’s just unexplainable, how one could [say that I] got her addicted to drugs. I’m not the reason she’s gone.”

The New Edition member said that Houston seemed to have “a glow about her” the last time he saw her over dinner at a restaurant with their daughter, Bobbi Kristina, which was about a week before she died.

“She just looked like she was in a good place,” he said.

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Bobby Brown Didn’t Get Whitney Houston ‘Addicted’ To Drugs

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Their relationship may have been tumultuous and their struggles with substance abuse well-documented, Bobby Brown insists that he is not the reason ex-wife Whitney Houston started doing drugs, a habit that she battled right up until her death in February.

“I’m not the one that got Whitney on drugs, at all,” Brown told “Today” host Matt Lauer in an interview set to air on Wednesday and Thursday. “I’m not the reason she’s gone.”

Brown admitted that when he learned of his ex’s death, he was saddened to hear she had started using cocaine again.

“I was hurt … because, you know, me being off of narcotics for the last seven years — I felt that she was, you know, I didn’t know she was struggling with it still. But at the same time, you know — listen, it’s a hard fight,” he said.

Regarding his involvement in Houston’s drug use, Brown said that drugs were a part of Houston’s life before they met in 1991. “I smoked weed, I drank the beer, but no, I wasn’t the one that got Whitney on drugs at all,” he insisted. “It’s just, it’s just unexplainable, how one could [say that I] got her addicted to drugs. I’m not the reason she’s gone.”

The New Edition member said that Houston seemed to have “a glow about her” the last time he saw her over dinner at a restaurant with their daughter, Bobbi Kristina, which was about a week before she died.

“She just looked like she was in a good place,” he said.

Bobby Brown Officially Charged With Driving Under The Influence

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71b71 bobbybrown1 Bobby Brown Officially Charged With Driving Under The Influence

By Gil Kaufman

Just hours after denials from his lawyer about claims that Bobby Brown was driving “erratically” while speaking on a cell phone during an arrest on Monday on suspicion of driving under the influence, the singer was charged with DUI on Wednesday (March 28). According to TMZ, authorities in Reseda, California charged Brown with DUI and driving with a suspended license after Whitney Houston’s ex reportedly blew a .12 in a blood alcohol test during a traffic stop around noon on Monday.

The legal limit is .08 and police said that they pulled Brown over after they saw him in his car talking on a cell phone and then smelled a strong odor of alcohol. He was cuffed and booked as short time later after allegedly doing poorly on a field sobriety test. California has a law that bans the use of handheld cell phones while driving.

A law enforcement source told the site that Brown’s license had been suspended since 2010 when he got a speeding ticket and then failed to show up for a subsequent court date.

“Everyone is innocent until proven guilty and Mr. Brown was not driving erratically,” Brown’s attorney, Tiffany Feder, told E! News in a statement on Wednesday. “He was speaking on his cell phone. Mr. Brown has not been convicted of anything associated with this incident.”

“Mr. Brown is taking this matter seriously and an investigation is under way,” Feder added. “The legal process shall run its course.”

Brown’s previous run-ins with the law include a 1996 DUI conviction in Georgia, which landed him in jail for 8 days after a guilty plea. He was also arrested in 2003 for battery and a parole violation charge in 2004, which again sent him in jail.

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