Maps of Music

King of Stage (1986)

Where the lyrics of King of Stage take you, and where it was really made.

Bobby Brown signed his first solo deal at 16, a promise his former group's label had made to him in advance.

Place unknown

Do you know where this album was recorded, or where its cover was shot? Tell us and we will add it to the map.

MCA Records had earlier promised Brown a solo deal if he decided to leave New Edition
This was Brown's first solo album
The solo debut came from the same label as the group he had just left

1	Girlfriend	6:16
2	Girl Next Door	4:08
3	Baby, I Wanna Tell You Something	3:48
4	You Ain't Been Loved Right	5:08
5	King of Stage	5:08
6	Love Obsession	4:44
7	Spending Time	3:59
8	Seventeen	4:18
9	Your Tender Romance	5:11

Born 1969 in Boston, Massachusetts; grew up in Roxbury's Orchard Park Projects.
Co-founded the vocal group New Edition in 1980 as "The Bricks" with Michael Bivins and Ricky Bell at about age 12.
New Edition's debut album Candy Girl (1983) included the number-one R&B single of the same name.
Left New Edition in 1986 to pursue a solo career.

Core members of New Edition included Bobby Brown, Michael Bivins, Ricky Bell, Ralph Tresvant, and Ronnie DeVoe.
Later New Edition reunions included Johnny Gill.

Solo debut King of Stage (1986) produced the number-one R&B single "Girlfriend".
Don't Be Cruel (1988) reached number one on the Billboard 200 and produced five Billboard Hot 100 top-ten singles, including "My Prerogative".
Bobby (1992) sold more than 3 million copies and produced "Humpin' Around", "Get Away" and "Good Enough".
Co-pioneered new jack swing with Teddy Riley.
Appeared in films including A Thin Line Between Love and Hate (1996) and Two Can Play That Game (2001).
Released the album The Masterpiece in 2012.

AllMusic called the Blackmon-produced tracks enjoyable
AllMusic gave top honors to 'Seventeen' and 'Girlfriend'
'Seventeen' was described as a riveting account of a teenage mother who turns to drugs and prostitution
'Girlfriend' was described as an unapologetically sentimental, '70s-like soul ballad
The Los Angeles Times called the album an ill-conceived mess
The Los Angeles Times cited lack of focus, inconsistent production and mostly inferior material
The Boston Globe described the album as a versatile blend of street funk, rap and ballads

Reviews split between praise for individual songs and criticism of the album as a whole
Praise went to the ballad and to 'Seventeen'
Criticism centered on focus, production and song quality

The album spawned the singles 'Girlfriend', 'Seventeen', and 'Girl Next Door'
Brown had a number-one R&B hit with the first single, the ballad 'Girlfriend'
Brown was unhappy with the production and chose proven producers for his next album
MCA Records had promised Brown a solo deal if he left New Edition
The track listing begins with 'Girlfriend' and runs to nine songs