Bobby: New Edition Brown Out "Best Thing for Me"

Grateful singer says tossing him from teen group drove him to subsequent stardom

It remains to be seen whether New Edition and New Kids on the Block teaming up will be a super group or more of a stupor group. But whatever happens, it's all gravy to a suddenly philosophical Bobby Brown, who now sees getting kicked out of New Edition years ago as a good thing when viewed in the rearview mirror:

"It was only them kicking me out the group that made me like, 'Yo, if I don't succeed, I ain't going to be [nothing] back home.' But these Brothers did the best thing for me that could ever possibly be done. Teach me a lesson," Brown tells Jet magazine in this week's, um, new edition.

So far, there's no guarantee Bobby will be part of the New/New amalgamation, but New Edition sources say they'll definitely have a sixth mic ready. Because, y'know, it's his prerogative.