One of my biggest pet peeves is irresponsible journalism. So many newspapers and news services are guilty of the practice on regular basis. Some of it stems from the rush to make sure their product is sold, no matter what it takes. Another explanation probably comes from a personal dislike for the particular subject/person, which then clouds any form of professionalism. The rest of it lies in sheer ignorance. Ignorance was in full bloom Monday morning on ABC's "Good Morning America" and several other media outlets labeled Brown as a "rapper" and the "bad boy of rap". Excuse me, but I thought Bobby Brown was the "Kang of Rrrr-ra and Bee"?
I always find it interesting how mainstream media somehow finds a way to associate rap with seemingly every problem of the world today. Ok, I know its a LOT of utter trash out there... some of that stuff makes ME wanna go Van Gogh and cut off my ear or something. Anyway, I know Bobby Brown has been by NO MEANS a saint during his career. But to actually call him a "rapper" is a clear indication of what "they" really feel about rap and hip hop, in general. Also apparent in all of this is image clearly means everything, regardless of the product. A good PR machine can expand longevity many years beyond actual physical existence. An bad one or an ineffective one will cast you in several sterotypes and controversy for years.
For those that don't know, Bobby Brown was a member of widely successful R&B group named New Edition. After being kicked out of the group for questionable behavior on AND off stage, he went on to an even more successful solo singing career. Did Bobby "attempt" to rap on a song or two here and there? Certainly. But so did Stevie Wonder, Madonna, Teena Marie, and Montell Jordan. I don't think any of them could ever be mistaken for "rappers", especially with Montell Jordan saying things like "every since I was a lowercase g" or Madonna talking about "drinking a Soy latte", or "doing yoga and pilates". Laughable.
With all that being said, Bobby Brown shouldn't be blamed for Whitney Houston's death. Not only did she have her own set of problems before they married in 1992, they separated in 2006 and divorced in 2007. Yes, they had a tumultuous relationship. Clearly. But to place the fault on him for her unfortunate death is insane. One thing I'll say is I've yet to see the media flat out place that blame on him... but of course, delusional fans worldwide will accept that as fact and theory.
Like many other Hollywood celebrities and entertainers, they both had problems. Major life-altering problems and life-threatning problems. But to sit back and paint Houston as an angel and Brown as the devil is absolutely absurd. Her death is tragic. Any human death is tragic. That reality is something that Brown may not get over for quite sometime, especially with the mental and physical state of their daughter, Bobbi Kristina, who was rushed to the hospital as a result of the news of her mother (she's also had her well-documented issues, as well). And don't forget Bobby lost both of his parents in less than a year. I can only imagine what he's going through right now. Amazing he's even still alive, to be honest.
Understand this is not a plea or an attempt to reward him a medal, trophy, or plaque for good behavior. I'd just like to see stories reported with truth and a little more integrity. Instead of sensationalizing a story and placing undeserved blame, stick to the facts. I'm sure they probably had a genuine love for each other but realized the actual relationship was too much to deal with... so they divorced. They both entered the relationship with their own personal baggage and definitely picked up some more along the way. But they both moved on. I think we should, too.
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