THE WAITING: Bobby Brown has been tabbed...

THE WAITING: Bobby Brown has been tabbed by many as a possible heir to Michael Jackson’s throne as the King of Pop. Ironically, Jackson was partly responsible for a long delay in the completion of Brown’s upcoming album. The belated follow-up to 1988’s 6-million-selling “Don’t Be Cruel” is expected to finally be in stores in May.

What did Jackson do? Simple. He tied up producer Teddy Riley for the better part of last year working on his “Dangerous” album. Brown had to just sit and wait.

“If Michael hadn’t been in the picture, Bobby’s album would have been out last year,” Riley says.

It’s understandable that Brown would wait patiently for Riley. He’s the principal architect of the New Jack Swing sound, easily the hottest producer in the business, and a key player in the success of “Don’t Be Cruel.” Arguably the two best songs on that album were Riley contributions, including Brown’s signature song “My Prerogative.”

So important was Riley to the project that Brown had no problem with his working for the reigning King first. “Bobby understood,” Riley says. “He wasn’t mad. He knew I had to do Michael’s album. How many chances do you have to work with someone like him?”

Of course, Brown’s album could have been completed without Riley. Brown, he said, has completed about 25 songs for the album, which also features material by the in-demand writing-producing team of L.A. Reid & Babyface.

“They could put an album out now if they wanted, but it wouldn’t be the best Bobby could do,” Riley says.

Riley is vague about the new album’s style and content, but did reveal that one of the tracks is an up-tempo duet with Whitney Houston.

Riley won’t be able to relax much after the Brown album is finished. Despite reports of a break-up of his group Guy--which Riley dismissed as rumor--the members will be working on an album later this year.

But before that, he may tackle another superstar project--the next New Kids on the Block album. Negotiations, he says, are in the works now.