Chris Brown versus Bobby Brown

Simple success

Bobby Brown made tender(roni): As a member of New Edition, Bobby had a taste of success as the boy band hit double platinum and platinum with two albums. Brown left the group (was voted out for behavior). After a middling first solo album, Brown’s “Don’t Be Cruel” spawned multiple hits including “Every Little Step” and “My Prerogative” and was certified eight times platinum. Brown released more albums after that, with only 1992’s Bobby (twice platinum) reaching critical status.

Chris Brown is definitely with you: Chris’ first self-titled album sold more than 3 million copies worldwide, with the song “Run It!” as the centerpiece. His second album, “Exclusive,” debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard top 200 chart and has sold almost 2 million copies since its November 2007 launch. The song “Wall to Wall” reached No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart.

-- Jevon Phillips  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Star power

Bobby Brown; fame, don’t be cruel: He was one of the biggest selling artists of the late 80’s and early 90’s, and was a pioneer of the musical movement new jack swing, a blend of R&B and hip-hop. Not a family-friendly singer, Bobby’s thrusting antics helped him gain fans, fame (and infamy) and a posse galore. Nowadays, he’s become a regular on the reality show scene with his show “Being Bobby Brown” and CMT’s “Gone Country.”

Chris Brown starts out running it: A kid like the guy next door, Chris Brown’s all-American appeal endears him to female fans and the MTV crowd, but his hard-core moves keep him one of the boys and grounded with street cred.

-- Jevon Phillips  (Richard Drew / Associated Press)

Relationships

Bobby Brown personal life: Bobby landed the biggest diva of them all when he hooked up with Whitney Houston. Their love endured in a 14-year marriage, in which they had a daughter, Bobbi Kristina Houston-Brown, together. After divorcing, he briefly dated “America’s Next Top Model” reject Tiffany Richardson and eventually moved on to his current girlfriend Alicia Etheridge, with whom he’s expecting a child.

Chris Brown‘s personal life: Brown has been dating Barbadian singer Rihanna. The two were together as recently as the night before the Grammys awards. Considering the current troubles, their current status is unknown.

-- Hanh Nguyen  (Laura Rauch / Associated Press)

Here comes trouble

Bobby Brown‘s every little step: The youngest member of New Edition was also its most volatile. He was arrested in 2003 for misdemeanor battery; it was alleged he hit Whitney Houston. Then in February 2004, Brown was thrown in jail in Georgia on a parole violation related to a previous drunk driving conviction. He and Houston have since divorced.

Chris Brown doesn’t really stomp the yard: Squeaky clean has been the path of pop’s krump king. Good kid from Virginia. Nice voice, nice smile and he has contributed a lot of time to St. Jude’s Children Hospital. But an arrest and allegations of domestic abuse have dirtied up his clean image.

-- Jevon Phillips  (David Fitzgerald / Los Angeles Times / Getty Images)