Burning The Ground Exclusive
When Bobby Brown released Don’t Be Cruel in 1988, he didn’t just dominate radio—he owned the dance floor. Even years after its initial release, the album continued to generate club interest, and one of the more intriguing artifacts from that era is the promo-only single “Every Little Hit (Megamix)”, issued in the United States as a promo single sent out to radio stations, and DJ record pools.
Unlike a standard commercial release, Every Little Hit (Megamix) was created strictly as a DJ tool, servicing clubs and radio mix shows that were hungry for nonstop Bobby Brown energy. Rather than focusing on a single track, the megamix stitches together highlights from Don’t Be Cruel, effectively functioning as a rapid-fire celebration of the album’s biggest moments. It’s Bobby at full throttle—hooks stacked on hooks, beats barely given time to breathe, and an overall sense that this was designed to keep dance floors moving without interruption.
Megamixes like this were a staple of the late ’80s and early ’90s club scene. They served multiple purposes: a sampler for casual listeners, a transition-friendly weapon for DJs, and a reminder of just how many hits an artist had accumulated in a short period of time. In Bobby Brown’s case, the format made perfect sense. Don’t Be Cruel was packed with chart-toppers and club favorites, and hearing them collide in one continuous mix only reinforced how dominant his run truly was.
Because it was promo-only, Every Little Hit (Megamix) never received the kind of widespread recognition that his commercial singles did. It was not found in record store bins, and many fans never knew it existed unless they were plugged into club culture or radio at the time. That scarcity has helped turn it into a bit of a cult item today—especially among collectors who appreciate the unique role promo 12″s played in shaping how dance music was heard and experienced.
Every Little Hit (Megamix) stands as a snapshot of an era when remix culture was booming, DJs were tastemakers, and record labels understood the power of the club. It may not be the most talked-about Bobby Brown release, but it’s a fascinating reminder that sometimes the most exciting records were the ones never meant for the general public—only for the booth, the floor, and those lucky enough to hear them in the moment.
SIDE A:
“Every Little Hit” Mega Mix (Club Version) 8:58
A.1 Every Little Step
A.2 On Our Own
A.3 Don’t Be Cruel
A.4 My Prerogative
SIDE B:
“Every Little Hit” Mega Mix (Radio Edit) 6:11
B.1 Every Little Step
B.2 On Our Own
B.3 Don’t Be Cruel
B.4 My Prerogative
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: MCA Records – L33-18116
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo
Country: US
Released: 1989
Genre: Hip Hop
Style: RnB/Swing
CREDITS:
- Co-producer – Bobby Brown (tracks: A.4, B.4)
- DJ Mix [Megamix] – Steve Anderson
- Executive-Producer – Louil Silas, Jr.*
- Producer – Gene Griffin (tracks: A.4, B.4), L.A. And Babyface* (tracks: A.1 to A.3, B.1 to B.3)
NOTES:
Includes special edits of “Every Little Step”, “On Our Own”, “Don’t Be Cruel” and “My Prerogative”. Inspired by Bobby’s mega hit “Dance… Ya Know It!” and “Don’t Be Cruel” albums.
Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for BURNING THE GROUND
THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon Concorde Music Black
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DAC: Alpha Design Labs GT40a USB DAC
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
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SOFTWARE:
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Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
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RESTORATION NOTES:
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FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
**24bit FLAC Only Available For Seven Days!
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Loved this mix, thank you! My other favorite was “The Free Style Megamix” which is very similar but has some fun differences.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rfGqgaN07o
Late to the conversation but thanks for this great post! I never heard of this before and it’s pretty nice! Anyone notice the intro to both mixes is a clip of Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation? Have a great weekend everyone!
Hey Paul
Being a fan of megamixes I love this one. I think I have this as the b-side of the “Roni” 12inch. Great start into the weekend. 🙂
This is a nice treat. I have most of the earlier BB 12″ singles already but never picked this one up. Steve Anderson did a great job on the megamixes.
Thanks Paul 🙂
You’re welcome, Mark. 😊
Holy wow! This one is incredible Paul, thank you so much 🙂 How have I never managed to hear these mixes before?! Appreciate you rectifying this terrible oversight!! Don’t Be Cruel is actually the first compact disc I ever bought! What a great album. The mixes on this single are just outstanding. Love that ‘On Our Own’ from the Ghostbusters 2 soundtrack was mixed in with the songs from Don’t Be Cruel… basically his 4 best songs in one slick package. I’m not sure if I prefer one mix over the other, but the Club Version even throws in a… Read more »
JP, this comment made my day 😊 I love that Don’t Be Cruel was your first CD — talk about starting off on the right foot! That album was just wall-to-wall hits, and this megamix really drives home how unreal Bobby’s run was at that moment. Four absolute killers stitched together and somehow it never feels rushed or gimmicky. And YES to On Our Own sneaking its way in — such a smart move. It totally belongs there, even though it technically lives outside the album. That Roni tease in the Club Version always makes me grin too… like a… Read more »
Ooooh what a fantastic rarity Paul!! This DJ-only Mega Mix is new to my doggie ears. But these Bobby Brown hits instantly take me back to 1988 when he was just ubiquitous on the radio, MTV and the dance floor! I absolutely second what Rubén mentioned below. Unfortunately, Bobby Brown’s private life has overshadowed his legacy of chart dominance and influence. Your write-up is perfect Paul, and thank you for taking us on these side trips and deep dives!! It’s really appreciated.
Retro Hound, thank you so much — this really means a lot to me. I love that this one was new to your “doggie ears” 🐶 — that’s exactly the fun of these DJ-only releases. They were everywhere at the time if you were tuned into clubs or mix shows, and then they just… vanished. But wow, you’re right — 1988 Bobby was absolutely inescapable. Radio, MTV, dance floors… he was the moment. And I couldn’t agree more about his legacy. The chart dominance, the influence, the sheer confidence of those records — that’s the Bobby I always want to… Read more »
Hey Paul This Is A Great Rip!! I Mixed This 12inch With Some Al B Sure!! Thanks!!!
Wow! That is so cool, bet that sounded amazing 🔥
Bobby Brown, the king of the ultra-funky style of the 80s. He wasn’t just a singer; he was the architect of New Jack Swing alongside producer Teddy Riley. After leaving New Edition, Brown injected a streetwise attitude, explosive choreography, and a sound that fused Hip-Hop with melodic Soul. And “Every Little Hit” is the definitive summary of the peak of Bobby Brown’s career. It’s ideal for those who want to understand New Jack Swing without having to listen to entire albums, concentrating all of Bobby’s energy and charisma into a few minutes of pure danceable adrenaline. It’s a shame that… Read more »
Ruben, this is beautifully said — and I love how you framed it. You’re absolutely right: Bobby really was the face of that ultra-funky late-’80s sound, and pairing his attitude and performance style with Teddy Riley’s production was lightning in a bottle. Once he left New Edition, it felt like he flipped a switch and suddenly everything was sharper, tougher, and made for the dance floor. I also love your take on Every Little Hit as a kind of crash course in New Jack Swing. That’s exactly what it feels like — all that confidence, swagger, and energy compressed into… Read more »
Thank you for sharing this. The expanded edition of this album is fantastic! Every Little Hit is on the digital album but not the CD, which is kind of a bummer. But I like having the video version of Every Little Step; it’s better than the album version!
You’re welcome; it is an oversight that the label did not include this on the CD version.
Can you post Bobby brown don’t be cruel L33-17582 12” promo the ones has the extended version was edited by Greg royal on it the sounded of chopped edit also seventeen 12” version by tomorrow please and thanks for the megamix
Boisterous and blistering BEATS!! The megamix is my favorite thing! Paul, this one is slamming! The 1980s really had the best megamixes that’s for sure! I miss these sorts of things. They rarely make them these days, and if they do, they’re not as wild as they once were. I am in ecstasy over this one, Paul. You’re making me breakout in gooseflesh!!
Panting,
Jeff
Jeff!! This is the exact reaction I was hoping for 😊
Boisterous and blistering is the perfect way to describe it — once that megamix kicks in, there’s just no letting up. The ’80s really were the golden age for these things. They were fearless, over-the-top, and made specifically to wreck dance floors. No half-measures.
You’re right too — when megamixes pop up today, they rarely go for the jugular like this. Back then it was all energy, swagger, and audacity… and Bobby had more than enough of all three to carry it.
Gooseflesh achieved? Mission accomplished 😊
Bobby Brown wasn’t really my thing at the time but the Don’t Be Cruel album was infectious! The longer version of Every Little Step with the rap?? Come on!
So Paul when did you get your copy of this promo? How much did you pay for it at the time? What are people paying for it these days?
Thanks as always!
Hi Mikey,
I picked up my copy second-hand at a used record shop about six or seven years ago for a pretty low price—around $5, if I remember right. I’ve seen them listed on SISCOGS for up to about $20, so not exactly pricey, but still pretty rare to come across in the wild since it was never commercially issued in stores.
Awesome, thanks for the back history!
WOW, not only did they release a Megamix, but they also created a video for it?! I can’t think of any other Megamix with an official video!!!
Thank you for this amazing treat!
Great video…until you get to the 2:30 minute mark …. UGH!!!!
Agreed.
I know I was in such a good mood bopping along until then 🙁
Axel F 80, I know — right?!
A megamix and an official video feels almost unreal, even by late-’80s standards. These were usually strictly DJ weapons, never meant to get the full MTV treatment, which makes this one such a fascinating outlier.
It really shows just how massive Bobby was at the time — when you’re that dominant, even a promo megamix gets the deluxe treatment. I’m so glad you enjoyed this little surprise. Thanks for the enthusiasm, and I’m thrilled this one landed as the treat it deserves to be!