Hip hop has constantly changed throughout the years, ranging from hard-hitting to melodic, the sounds are always a big part of the culture. Staples like Lauryn Hill, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Mos Def, Missy Elliott, Andre 3000, CeeLo Green, Kid Cudi and Drake some of the most celebrated artists in that singing/rapping lane.

However, not my groups are more synonymous to singing/rapping than New Edition.

In a recent interview with Billboard, New Edition member Bobby Brown talked about his new biographical mini-series for BET and being presented with the R&B Soul Music Icon Award at the show. Brown was asked if he believes he popularized fusing singing and rapping.

“Yes, I would agree, because sometimes I’m conceited, but at the same time, I think it was supposed to go together. I think rapping and singing was supposed to be a part of what music has become, and rap has been around for many many years.” he said “There has been a lot of old soul singers that did rap within their songs, and I guess we just made it…public? We brought it to the masses, which was something that we’re thankful for them for giving us the tools to be able to be able to do what we do. Rhyming and singing are suppose to go together.”

Hip hop and R&B go hang-in-hang nowadays, and this can be attributed to the work Brown helped laid out.

BET’s The Bobby Brown Story is set to premiere on September 4.