The album was recorded after Brown left New Edition's Home Again tour in 1997. Prior to the New Edition reunion, it was rumored Brown was the original choice to play Powerline in Walt Disney Pictures's animated movie, A Goofy Movie, but was cut due to drug problems and was replaced by R&B singer Tevin Campbell, and that some of the songs Bobby did for the movie's soundtrack were revamped and included on Forever. However, Brown was never considered for the role of Powerline. [1]
The album was originally titled Bobby II, and was supposed to be produced by veterans of the genre Teddy Riley, Sean Combs, R. Kelly and Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis.