VinylAI 
Data as of Oct 20, 2026
Bobby Brown – Don't Be Cruel
1988 · US · MCA Records · Vinyl LP Album
Price guide
Estimated market value via Discogs · as of Oct 20, 2026
- MMint
- $54.62
- NMNear Mint
- $48.87
- VG+Very Good Plus
- $37.38
- VGVery Good
- $25.87
- G+Good Plus
- $14.37
- GGood
- $8.62
- FFair
- $5.75
- PPoor
- $2.88
These are reference estimates from Discogs sold/asking data for this exact pressing, not offers and not a guaranteed price. Actual value depends on condition, completeness and current demand. Any active seller offers on this page are listed separately above.
Offers · 1
- $50ref VA-B53HDMedia NM · Near MintSleeve VG+🇺🇸 Ships from United States
The Discogs price estimate is a separate reference; offer prices above are sellers’ own.
New to condition grades like NM or VG? Read our vinyl grading guide →
Pressing identification
Match these against your copy to confirm the exact pressing.
- Runout — side A
- MCA 7812 A-4 FUTUREDISC | p̶MCA 7812 FDS 2 FUTUREDISC
- Runout — side B
- MCA 7813 FDS-3 | p̶MCA 7813 FDS 1
- Barcode
- 0 7674-22185-1 5
Specifications
- Artist
- Bobby Brown
- Genre
- Funk / Soul
- Style
- Contemporary R&B, New Jack Swing
- Year
- 1988
- Label
- MCA Records
- Catalog number
- MCA-42185
- Country
- US
- Barcode
- 0 7674-22185-1 5
Tracklist
- A1Cruel Prelude0:39
- A2Don't Be Cruel6:52
- A3My Prerogative4:57
- A4Roni5:58
- A5Rock Wit'cha4:47
- B1Every Little Step3:59
- B2I'll Be Good To You4:25
- B3Take It Slow5:22
- B4All Day All Night4:40
- B5I Really Love You Girl5:11
- B6Cruel Reprise0:18
- Co-producer
- Bobby Brown
- Executive-Producer
- Louil Silas Jr.
- Mixed By, Performer [All Instruments], Producer
- L.A. & Babyface
- Producer [Production Coordinator]
- Tommy Brown
- Mastered By
- Steve Hall
- Engineer [Assistant], Mixed By
- Fred Howard
About this record
The 1988 MCA pressing of Don't Be Cruel carries multiple dead-wax variants tied to Future Disc Systems mastering, with runouts stamped as either MCA 7812 A-4 FUTUREDISC or MCA 7813 FDS variants—a detail that flags which lacquer generation a collector holds. Demand is brisk: 970 want it against 5,204 in the community, yet only 52 copies are listed for sale across the market, signaling scarcity relative to collector interest.
What drives its value
The price ladder spans from 54.62 USD (Mint) down to 0.18 USD (Poor), with a VG+ copy valued at 37.38 USD and a VG at 25.87 USD—a steep drop that reflects how surface condition dominates value on this 1988 pressing. At 52 listings, supply is tight enough that even played copies command 14.37 USD (G+) or 8.62 USD (G), well above the floor.
The 1988 original on MCA outpaces the 2023 Iconoclassic reissue in collector demand; the want-to-have ratio of 970 to 5,204 shows this title remains actively sought. New Jack Swing and Contemporary R&B appeal ensures steady interest, though the market floor of 0.18 USD warns that heavily damaged stock does exist.
How to appraise this pressing
Verify the 1988 original by the MCA-42185 catalogue number and the barcode presence. The dead-wax runout is the key identifier: look for either MCA 7812 A-4 FUTUREDISC on side A or MCA 7813 FDS variants on side B, both pointing to Future Disc Systems mastering in Hollywood.
The release notes flag that the label on sides A and B differs slightly from later pressings, and that the 'P' copyright symbol in the runouts is deliberately scratched out—a factory quirk, not damage. The 11-track album was recorded across four studios (Silverlake in Hollywood, Axis in New York, Different Fur and Infinite in the Bay Area, and Cherokee and Cochrane in Los Angeles) and mixed at Soundworks, New York.
Grade by vinyl surface cleanliness and gloss; even minor hairline scratches drop a Mint copy into NM territory.
Further reading: grading a record, how to sell vinyl.
Listen
Hear the album before you buy.
Official videos via YouTube.
Release notes
℗ 1988 MCA Records, Inc. © MCA Records, Inc., 70 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California - U.S.A.
A1, A2, A4, to B1, B6 produced for La'Face Inc. Recorded at Silverlake Studios, Hollywood, CA.
A3, B2 produced by Gene Griffin for G.R. Productions. Recorded at Axis Studios, New York. Mixed at Soundworks, New York, NY.
B3, B4 produced A White House Production. Recorded at Different Fur Studios, San Francisco, CA and Infinite Studios, Alameda, CA.
A5 produced for Flash Production. Recorded at Cochrane Studios, Studio City, CA and Cherokee Studios, Hollywood, CA.
A3, B2, B5 co-produced for B. Brown Productions. Mastered at Future Disc Systems, Hollywood, CA.
Closely resembles but has a slightly different label on A and B.
P in runouts is scrached out
Notes sourced from the Discogs database.
Other pressings of this release
Different editions of the same album — pressing decides value.
Frequently asked
What is the price difference between a VG+ and a VG copy?
A VG+ copy is priced at 37.38 USD according to the price guide, while a VG is valued at 25.87 USD. The spread reflects how sensitive collectors are to surface noise and light wear on this 1988 pressing; even minor play history is penalized in the market.
How do I confirm I have the original 1988 pressing and not the 2023 reissue?
Check the dead-wax runout on both sides. The 1988 MCA original is stamped with variants of MCA 7812 or MCA 7813 plus FUTUREDISC or FDS codes, pointing to Future Disc Systems mastering. The 2023 Iconoclassic reissue (ICON 1066) will have entirely different runout codes. Also verify the catalogue number MCA-42185 on the label.
Why is there a scratched-out 'P' symbol in the runouts?
The release notes confirm that the 'P' (phonogram copyright mark) in the runouts is deliberately scratched out at the factory—it is not damage or a defect. This is a known characteristic of the 1988 MCA pressing and does not affect playback or grade.
What is a Mint copy worth today?
According to the price guide, a Mint (M) copy is valued at 54.62 USD. This assumes unplayed condition with no surface marks, original shrink, and perfect label gloss. Most copies in circulation fall into VG+ or VG grades due to the album's age and New Jack Swing-era popularity.
Is this pressing rare?
Relative to demand, yes. The community shows 970 collectors want it against 5,204 who own one, yet only 52 copies are currently for sale—a supply-to-want ratio that suggests copies are held rather than churned. The lowest price floor of 0.18 USD indicates some heavily damaged stock exists, but clean VG+ or better copies are not abundant on the secondary market.