Don't Be Cruel is the second studio album by American R&B singer Bobby Brown, released on April 25, 1988. The album was a commercial success and included several hit singles, including the title track "Don't Be Cruel," "Every Little Step," and "Rock Wit'cha." The album was produced by Babyface and L.A. Reid, and features a mix of R&B, pop, and hip-hop styles.
The album was well-received by critics, with many praising Brown's soulful vocals and the album's catchy, radio-friendly production. The album's title track, "Don't Be Cruel," was a particularly big hit, reaching the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart and becoming one of the biggest songs of the year. The album itself reached the top of the Billboard 200 chart and has been certified 3x Platinum by the RIAA.
In addition to its commercial success, Don't Be Cruel has also been recognized for its cultural significance. It is often cited as one of the key albums of the New Jack Swing movement, a genre that blended R&B, pop, and hip-hop to create a new sound that dominated the charts in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The album's success also helped to establish Brown as a major star in the music industry, setting the stage for his future success.