Bobby Brown will receive the R&B Music Soul Icon Award at the 3rd Annual Black Music Honors taking place Thursday, August 16, in Nashville, TN.

The ceremony will pay special tribute to Brown's 40 years in the entertainment industry, as both a member of New Edition and his solo career after he left the group in 1985, which skyrocketed due to his sophomore album, Don't Be Cruel, which helped shape the sound of the New Jack Swing era. That album is seven times platinum and spawned five top ten Billboard Hot 100 singles, including "My Prerogative," "Don't Be Cruel" and "Every Little Step."

"I’m flabbergasted, you know?" Brown recently told Billboard about receiving the award. "Being honored by your peers is everything. I’m just thankful that they have chosen me to receive this award, and I know my family is appreciative of me receiving this award. We are just happy."

The Black Music Honors will be hosted by Letoya Luckett and Ricky Smiley. In addition to Brown's honor, Bebe and Cece Winans will be co-honorees of the Gospel Music Icon Award, Whodini will receive the Hip Hop Icon Award and Dallas Austin will be presented with the Music Innovator Icon Award.

The honor is particularly timely for Brown. His BET biopic, which stars Mekhi Phifer, Lil Rel Howery, Lance Gross, and Laz Alonso among others, will premier on Sept. 4. It's set to cover his start with New Edition, the rise of his solo career and his marriage to Whitney Houston.

In addition, Brown is prepping to release his new single, “Like Bobby,” produced by Teddy Riley and Babyface.

"The song is about who Bobby is, and what life is," he told Billboard. "You go through things throughout life that may be difficult for you, but you have to stand up on your two feet and keep moving, keep pushing. And that’s being like Bobby."

 

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