Club Shay Shay – Episode: Bobby Brown Part 1 Release Date: April 16, 2025
Host: Shannon Sharpe
Guest: Bobby Brown
Location: Jalisco Underground at Resorts World Las Vegas

Introduction

In the first part of the "Bobby Brown" episode on Club Shay Shay, NFL legend Shannon Sharpe welcomes the multi-talented entertainer, Bobby Brown. Known as the "Bad Boy of R&B," Bobby shares insights into his illustrious career, personal ventures, and the dynamics of the music industry. The conversation takes place at the vibrant Jalisco Underground at Resorts World Las Vegas, setting the stage for an engaging and heartfelt dialogue.

Bobby Brown's Venture into the Food Industry

Shannon Sharpe begins by exploring Bobby Brown's unexpected foray into the food industry. Despite his fame in music, Bobby has successfully launched BobbyBrownFoods.com, offering a range of products from seasonings to fried chicken mixes and coffee.

[03:50] Bobby Brown: "It's sold in store bobbybrownfoods.com we sell from seasonings to fried chicken mixes to coffee. It's just something me and my wife decided to do because all my friends used to love to come over my house and test my food and they loved it."

Shannon probes deeper into Bobby's motivations and experiences within the food sector.

[04:25] Bobby Brown: "I've learned it's rough, it takes time. It takes time to get into all of the big stores. But you know, when you have a good product like we have all natural, gluten free, less sodium than many of the seasonings that are out there. So we are a very health-conscious line and I think that's what makes us stand out from all of the rest."

Bobby emphasizes the importance of quality and health-conscious ingredients, reflecting his commitment to providing better options for consumers.

Cooking: A Passion Rooted in Family

The conversation shifts to Bobby's love for cooking, which stems from his childhood experiences. As a child, Bobby often found himself in the kitchen, assisting his mother in preparing meals for a large family.

[07:24] Bobby Brown: "Cooking came about because I used to be on punishment all the time. I mean, all the time. So my mother used to make me sit in the kitchen with her while she cooked dinner for all seven of us."

This early exposure not only honed his culinary skills but also instilled in him a passion for nurturing his family through food.

Signature Dishes and Culinary Style

Shannon inquires about Bobby's signature dishes, revealing his prowess in the kitchen beyond his musical talents.

[06:43] Bobby Brown: "I'm cooking my fried chicken. I'm definitely cooking my fried chicken. My fried chicken is off the chain. Popeyes ain't got nothing on it."

Bobby proudly showcases his fried chicken recipe, comparing it favorably to popular chains, and discusses his commitment to cooking for his family regularly.

Songwriting and Creative Process

Transitioning back to his music career, Bobby shares his songwriting philosophy and favorite tracks. He highlights "My Prerogative" as his personal anthem, a song that encapsulates his desire for independence and self-expression.

[11:09] Bobby Brown: "Prerogative."

[11:44] Bobby Brown: "I wrote it as an anthem and as a theme to my lifestyle and what I was all about, and that's basically the reason I think I'm still here 42 years later, is that I took what I felt about myself and I put it on wax."

Shannon explores Bobby's creative process, where he typically starts with the music, allowing melodies and grooves to guide his lyrical content.

[12:32] Bobby Brown: "For the most part, we choose the music first. And once I get a groove in my head and once I get a melody going, there's no stopping it. It just starts pouring out."

Collaborations and Influences

Teddy Riley's Impact

Bobby discusses his fruitful collaboration with producer Teddy Riley, crediting him for enhancing the sound of "My Prerogative."

[13:19] Bobby Brown: "Teddy's role in 'My Prerogative' was bringing that slamming ass track. That track was so, so beefy and so, so, so in. Only something like 'My Prerogative' could be said on that."

Their enduring friendship has led to ongoing musical projects, showcasing the depth of their professional relationship.

Teaching Michael Jackson

Perhaps one of the most intriguing anecdotes involves Bobby claiming to have taught Michael Jackson new dance moves, specifically enhancing the moonwalk.

[27:42] Bobby Brown: "We went over to his house and we were doing it in front of him. New Edition. And I don't know if he already knew how to do it, but I know that when we showed him, he was flabbergasted. He was like, wow. As something new."

Shannon delves into this extraordinary collaboration, highlighting Bobby's influence on one of music's greatest icons.

Reflections on Success and the Music Industry

Streaming vs. Physical Sales

Bobby expresses his skepticism towards the streaming model, likening it to a form of theft that undermines artists' earnings.

[34:37] Bobby Brown: "Streaming is something that basically has stretched the game out. The game is not the same anymore. You can't sell records, so the artist doesn't get paid as much as they are supposed to. Streaming is basically a robbery of selling records."

He reminisces about the tangible experience of owning music albums and lamenting the loss of physical sales' personal touch.

[35:22] Bobby Brown: "You get to hold it. You get to hold. You actually get to hold it. It's yours."

Despite these challenges, Bobby remains optimistic about the enduring appeal of R&B music.

[32:08] Bobby Brown: "No, no, no. R and B is never gonna die. R and B is something that it's made up of what they call popular music."

Advice to New Artists

Bobby emphasizes the importance of honing one's craft and the necessity of live performance skills in ensuring longevity in the music industry.

[38:31] Bobby Brown: "Tell them to always practice on their craft. Always rehearse, always, always hold yourself accountable for performing for people. The stage is everything. It allows you to have the longevity in this industry when you're a great performer."

He underscores that no matter the success of recorded music, the ability to captivate an audience live is paramount.

Experiences with New Edition and Solo Career

Early Struggles and Contractual Challenges

Bobby reflects on his early experiences with New Edition, highlighting the unfavorable contracts that left the group members earning minimal royalties.

[48:06] Bobby Brown: "Yeah. We got raked. We got raked. We didn't know anything about it. All we wanted to do was perform. All we wanted to do was make enough money to go to the movies, buy candy, date girls."

He candidly discusses the financial losses incurred due to lack of industry knowledge and the importance of trusting skilled legal representation.

Solo Pursuit and Group Dynamics

When discussing his decision to go solo, Bobby reveals a desire for greater artistic control and a departure from the "bubblegum" pop experience of New Edition.

[52:47] Bobby Brown: "I was just tired of the bubble gum bubblegum experience, you know? I wanted to be more hardcore, but I wanted more control over what I did."

Despite facing challenges, including being voted out of the group, Bobby expresses pride in the enduring brotherhood with his New Edition members.

[54:20] Bobby Brown: "Yes. And our relationships are stronger than ever."

Reuniting with New Edition

Bobby shares the positive evolution of his relationship with New Edition, emphasizing mutual respect and shared goals. The reunification of the group members has led to successful tours and renewed camaraderie.

[55:45] Bobby Brown: "And then Bell Biv Devo went up the charts and blew up, and the group just, you know, it was about pieces. And then once we figured it out, we figured out that we have all of these pieces that we can bring back together and form this super group. Why not do it?"

This reunion not only rekindles their collective talent but also restores the strong familial bonds that have always defined New Edition.

Closing Remarks

As the conversation wraps up, Shannon Sharpe teases the continuation of the interview in Part 2, inviting listeners to stay tuned for more in-depth discussions with Bobby Brown.

[55:57] Greg Rosenthal: "What's up, everyone? It's Greg Rosenthal, and I'm teaming up with the King of Spring, Daniel Jeremiah. ..."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Bobby Brown on "My Prerogative":
  "[11:09] Bobby Brown: 'Prerogative.'"

• On Teaching Michael Jackson:
  "[27:42] Bobby Brown: 'We went over to his house and we were doing it in front of him. ...'"

• On Streaming Challenges:
  "[34:37] Bobby Brown: 'Streaming is something that basically has stretched the game out. ...'"

• Advice to New Artists:
  "[38:31] Bobby Brown: 'Tell them to always practice on their craft. ...'"

• On Group Reunification:
  "[55:45] Bobby Brown: 'And then Bell Biv Devo went up the charts and blew up, ...'"

Conclusion

Part 1 of the "Bobby Brown" episode on Club Shay Shay offers a comprehensive look into the life and career of one of R&B's most influential figures. From his entrepreneurial ventures and culinary passions to reflections on the music industry's evolution and his enduring relationships, Bobby Brown provides invaluable insights and heartfelt storytelling. Listeners can anticipate even more enriching conversations in Part 2 of this enlightening episode.