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Don’t Be Cruel
R&B / Soul · 1988 · 11 tracks

Don’t Be Cruel

Bobby Brown

The definitive blueprint for New Jack Swing. Aggressive drum machine grooves meet smooth, street-wise melodies in a masterclass of 1980s urban pop swagger.

June 20, 1988 · MCA Records

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A high-octane blend of street-wise defiance and smooth, late-night romanticism.

Tracklist · 11 Tracks
01
Cruel Prelude
0:37
02
Don’t Be Cruel
6:48
03
My Prerogative
4:52
04
Roni
5:58
05
Rock Wit’cha
4:50
06
Every Little Step
3:57
07
I’ll Be Good to You
4:26
08
Take It Slow
5:23
09
All Day All Night
4:40
10
I Really Love You Girl
5:11
11
Cruel Reprise
0:19
Moments Worth Listening For
The explosive, gated snare hit that kicks off the title track, signaling the arrival of a new era.
The transition from the aggressive rap-singing of My Prerogative into the smooth, late-night balladry of Roni.
The syncopated, high-energy synth hook in Every Little Step that feels like a physical pulse.
Reviews
BBC Music
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AllMusic
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Where This Album DepartsEach spoke is a trait. The orange shape shows where this album pulls away from — or holds to — the rest of the artist’s catalogue. Tap for more.

How does Don’t Be Cruel sound next to the rest of Bobby Brown's catalogue?

Confident+1.8σ

Confident saturates this record notably more than the artist's norm.

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