Bobby Brown - My Prerogative

Bobby Brown – “My Prerogative”:
A Funk-Driven Declaration of Independence

Released in June 1988 as the second single from Don’t Be Cruel, “My Prerogative” wasn’t just a hit — it was a mission statement. A blend of New Jack Swing, R&B grit, and defiant energy, the track showcased Bobby Brown stepping fully into his own spotlight. With a beat that dared you not to dance and lyrics that bristled with “I-do-what-I-want” conviction, this was where Brown cut ties with his New Edition past and told the world he was running the show now.

A Beat That Changed the Game

The song opens with that now-iconic synth stab, rolling straight into a funky bassline and crisp drum programming that defined the Teddy Riley production aesthetic. Co-produced by Riley and Gene Griffin, “My Prerogative” was a genre-defining slice of New Jack Swing — a hybrid sound that wove hip-hop attitude into the slick sheen of late-’80s R&B.

It was sharp, fresh, and swaggering — a sound you could feel in your sneakers and your shoulders.

Lyrical Rebellion, Delivered with Style

The lyrics cut to the chase: “Everybody’s talking all this stuff about me / Why don’t they just let me live?” Brown wasn’t just addressing the press — he was answering whispers about his exit from New Edition, his personal choices, and his evolution as an artist. Written by Brown, Teddy Riley, Gene Griffin, Aaron Hall, and Timmy Gatling, the song channeled public scrutiny into something powerful and defiant.

It’s a rebel yell set to an R&B groove — not asking for understanding, but demanding respect.

A Visual Flex

Directed by Alek Keshishian, the video sees Brown commanding the stage in a slick suit, flanked by a live band and dancers. The choreography is tight, the presence magnetic, and the message unmistakable: Bobby Brown is not a backup singer anymore — he’s the headline.

MTV and BET put it on heavy rotation, and audiences got the memo loud and clear.

Chart Takeover and Career Rebirth

“My Prerogative” topped the Billboard Hot 100 for one week in January 1989 and ruled the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart for two weeks in October 1988. It reached No. 6 in the UK, Top 10 in countries including Ireland, New Zealand, and the Netherlands, and became Brown’s biggest solo hit.

The success propelled Don’t Be Cruel into multi-platinum territory, cementing Bobby’s transition from boy-band alumnus to solo superstar.

Legacy: Still Doing It His Way

Decades later, “My Prerogative” remains a cornerstone of personal agency in pop — an anthem of self-determination. It was covered (most famously by Britney Spears in 2004), sampled, and cited as an early example of artists refusing to play nice in the face of public judgment. Even though Brown later panned Spears’s version, the fact that it resonated with a new generation is testament to the song’s staying power.

“My Prerogative” isn’t just about breaking free. It’s about doing so on your own terms — and dancing all the way out.