Bobby Brown is celebrating the 38th anniversary of his classic album Don’t Be Cruel. But it doesn’t feel that long to legendary singer.
”It really feels more like 20 years because I constantly perform these songs,” Brown told PEOPLE. ‘And I realized that it is 38 years that this music has been out there.”
Brown noted that the project was full of energy, and so was he.
”Just pure energy,” Brown said when he thinks about the album. “My energy and the energy of the people and everything that everybody accepted at that time. It just makes me feel good. I have so much gratitude for people loving that album.”
According to Brown, the album’s sales took off after an unfortunate incident.
”Unfortunately, it would have to be the time I got arrested in Georgia,” Brown recalled. He was arrested in Columbus, Georgia in January 1989 “for violating a local anti-lewdness ordinance due to a skit “
”That was unfortunate, but that’s when the record actually went viral, or what they call viral today,” he continued. “Everybody started buying the album, and that’s when I knew that this was something special, coming from my heart and from the producers [Babyface and L.A. Reid] that I worked with.”
Eventually, the album sold more than 12 million records.
Brown then shared which favorite track of the album thats full of iconic hits.
”It’s always ‘My Prerogative’”, he says. “But I love doing ‘Roni’ and ‘Every Little Step’. I love performing all of the songs on that album.”
During that era, Brown described himself as “very focused, untamed, and just raw.
”If I could go back and whisper in my ear, I would say slow down,” said Brown. “Don’t take life so serious so fast and enjoy yourself too much. And don’t party as much as I partied.”
To celebrate the 35th anniversary of Don’t Be Cruel, Brown will perform a one-night-only performance at LA’s Saban Theatre
”The preparation is working hard at it. Practice, practice, practice and sleep, Brown said. “Get as much rest as possible. I am 57 years old, and it’s about getting on that stage and giving these people the best show I know how to give.”