On this day in music history: January 14, 1989 - My Prerogative by Bobby Brown hits #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 1 week, also topping the R&B singles chart for 2 weeks on October 15, 1988. Written by Teddy Riley, Bobby Brown, and Gene Griffin, it is the biggest hit for the former New Edition singer. After leaving his former group New Edition in 1985, Bobby Brown will embark on a solo career. Though his first album King Of Stage (released in 1986) yields a number one R&B single with the song Girlfriend, it will not produce any further hits and the album itself is only a modest seller. Determined to do better the next time out, Brown will work with a team of songwriters and producers that includes L.A., Babyface, and Darryl Simmons, and Teddy Riley and Gene Griffin. Leader of the R&B band Guy, Riley will pioneer the genre known as new jack swing on his work with singer Keith Sweat, and on Guys 1988 debut album which will both help change the face of R&B music. My Prerogative is written in Teddy Rileys home studio while working on material for Bobby Browns second album. The highly personal song directly confronts the rumors about Browns departure from New Edition and hard partying life style. Gene Griffin, Rileys manager though he is credited with co-writing and producing Prerogative, he actually has very little to with its creation. And though he does not receive a writing credit, Guy lead singer Aaron Hall will also make contributions to the song. Issued as the second single from Dont Be Cruel in July of 1988, it will be an immediate hit on R&B radio, topping the charts in mid October of 1988. After hitting number one on the R&B chart, MCA will work at crossing the song over to pop radio just as the title track is peaking on the pop singles chart. Entering the Hot 100 at #78 on October 22, 1988, it will climb to the top of the chart twelve weeks later. My Prerogative will become one of Bobby Browns signature songs, and is nominated for a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song in 1989. Pop singer Britney Spears will record a cover of the song for her first greatest hits album in 2004. My Prerogative is certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.
Posted on: Thu, 15 Jan 2015 01:00:04 +0000
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