Conclusion.

Throughout this research and finding out more and more information on Chris Brown, I’ve come to realize that we should be thankful for everything that happens in life. As a child, Chris had to endure mental pain by going through his family splitting up, due to his parents divorcing. However, he always kept that special bond between him and his father. In his shoes, he had to physically watch his mother get abused by his stepfather. He had so much fear in his heart that some nights he wet his bed, afraid of what would happen to him if he was to leave his room. Yes, that’s harsh for a child the age of seven on up to eleven to have to deal with so much. In high school, he always kept his education first. Of course he played and goofed around, but while doing that, he never let his grades slip. I admire that about him. His motto was “Work First, Play Later.” Later on in his years, Chris vowed to never put his hands on a woman because watching his stepfather beat his mom was more than he could handle. Unfortunately, Chris made a huge mistake that caused him to have two felony charges on his record. Everyone knows that the mistake he did was beat up his girlfriend, Rihanna. The heat of the situation, evidently, caused him to put his hands upon the innocent lady. After all the charges, Chris was blessed to only having five years of probation, 180 days of community work, and fifty-two domestic violence class. Now with the felonies he received, he would have had up to seven years in prison, but he was blessed to get off easily. Through everything Chris has gone through, he has still managed to become a very successful person. People make mistakes and learn from them, and that exactly what Chris did/doing. I know that Chris will always be someone’s role model because of his positive mindset.

Reflection on Fame.

As I search through Chris’s albums and the age he was when he released them, I couldn’t do anything but smile. Chris was very young, but oh so smart and kept himself together at all times. All his songs are never dull. To me, his songs all have a meaning. I think he made most of his songs reconnecting to his past. The single “Look At Me Now”, I know was dedicated to his past. Not being conceited, he just wants to show the world how life is now since he has grown and matured throughout the years. Sure, the thing Chris has done in his life is well known, but his forgiveness to God is much more important than him trying to please the world. The world will always put you down, but with his strong confidence, he can endure the criticism. He’s a very talented person in which I know he’ll always be somebody’s role model. 

Fame Part.3

Chris’s fourth album, F.A.M.E, was released in March 2011. The album debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart. The first week sales added up to about 270,000 copies, giving him his first number one album in the United States. Its lead single, “Yeah 3x”, reached the top ten in eleven countries. The album’s second single, “Look at Me Now”, featuring rappers Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes, reached number one on the US Hot R&B Songs chart. It also reached number one on the US Hot Rap Songs chart. The albums third single, “Beautiful People”, featuring Benny Benassi, peaked at number one on the US Hot Dance Club Songs chart. “She Aint You” was released as the album’s fourth US single, while “Next 2 You”, featuring Justin Beiber embarked on his F.A.M.E. Tour in Australia and North America. Chris received six nominations at the 2011 BET Awards and won five awards. He also won three awards at the 2011 BET Hip Hop Awards. Chris’s album F.A.M.E. won Album of the Year at the 2011 Soul Train Music Awards. The album also earned Chris three nominations at the 54^th Grammy Awards. In February 2010, Chris won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Album. He performed several songs, which was his first appearance since his felony assault. Chris will be releasing his fifth album, Fortune, on May 18, 2012. “Strip”, featuring Kevin McCall, was released as the album’s single in November 2011. “Turn Up the Music” was released as the lead single from Fortune in February 2010.

Fame Part.2

In 2009, Chris began working on his third album. While doing this album, he wanted to demonstrate a different musical direction for his new album, titled “Graffiti.”  He was hoping to emulate the now deceased singers, Prince and Michael Jackson. He says, “I wanted to change it up and really be different. Like my style nowadays, I don’t try to be typical urban. I want to be like how Prince, Michael, and Stevie Wonder were. They can cross dress over to any genre of music.” The album’s lead single “I Can Transform Ya” peaked at number twenty on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, and number eleven on the US R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. “Crawl” was released as the album’s second single. The song reached number fifty-three on the Billboard Hot 100. Graffiti was then released on December 8, 2009. The album debuted at number seven on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 102, 000 copies in its first week. Since 2011, it has been sold 341, 000 copies in the United States. While performing a Michael Jackson Tribute at the 2010 BET Awards, Chris started to cry and fell to his knees while singing “Man in the Mirror”. Everyone was very emotional afterwards. Later during the show, Chris stated, “I let ya’ll down before, but I won’t do it again…. I promise.” In May 2010, Chris released a collaborative mix tape with Tyga, called Fan of a Fan. “Deuces", which features Tyga and Kevin McCall, was released from the mix tape in the United States in June 2010. The song peaked at number one on US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart for seven weeks. This gave Chris his first number-one on the chart since his 2006 hit single, "Say Goodbye”. It also peaked at number 14 on Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Fame Part.1

Everything that transpired in Chris’s life had made him a better person to this day. As of this year, Chris has made several different albums since 2005. His very first album was named “Chris Brown.” There are fifteen tracks on that CD. His first song ever made was “Run It,” at the age of sixteen. The new hit single helped top the Billboard Hot 100, making him the first male artist as a lead to have his debut single top the chart since Montel Jordan in 1995. The album has sold over two million copies in the United States and three million worldwide. The album was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Three of the other singles on the CD “Yo (Excuse Me Miss),” “Gimmie That,” and “Say Goodbye” peaked within the top twenty at the same chart. In November 2007, Chris starred as a video host for St, Jude Children’s Research Hospital’s Math-A-Thon program, to show his support by encouraging students to use their math skills to help children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. After ending his summer tour with Ne-Yo, Chris began working on his second album, “Exclusive”, which was released in the United States on November 6, 2007. The album debuted at number four on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 294, 000 copies in its first week. As of March 23, 2011, it has sold over 1.9 million copies in the Unites States. The album’s lead single, “Wall to Wall”, peaked at number 79 on US Billboard Hot 100 chart, and number twenty-two on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. “Kiss Kiss”, featuring and produced by T-Pain, was released as the album’s second single. It reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, and became Brown’s second number one single following “Run It!” in 2005. “With You”, a song produced by Stargate, was released as the third single from Exclusive, and reached number two on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Reflection on Chris & Rihanna.

Looking up this information and finding out so much about Chris and Rihanna has really shocked me. I never would have known that my favorite singer would get his self in a situation that he couldn’t handle in a right manner. What he did to Rihanna is totally not right at all, but you can’t judge a person by their pass. Everyone makes mistakes. Even though he’s famous, people expected him to be “perfect.” Well, no one is perfect. Everyone in this world have short comings and several flaws. Who says a person can’t change from their evil ways? God grants us second chances, so why cant the public? I’m actually happy that the two are together, because they really do love each other despite their faults. True love deserves to be together. I hope that the two will continue to abide by each other and work their problems out as adults and love each other unconditionally!

Chris & Rihanna Part.3

After all the commotion, separation, arguments, fight, etc., Chris and Rihanna are back together! Some people say that she has been dropping hints here and there that they will re-unite. After awhile, they finally got back together. Most people weren't happy about this move. People were furious and thought that Rihanna had made a big mistake. They felt it in their heart that Chris wasn't a change man. Well, Rihanna forgave him despite all the negative feedback and looking over the physical and mental abuse that Chris caused her. She stated too Chris that he was the one. The two singers partied one night at Greystone Manor, West Hollywood club and left separately. A mile down the rode, Rihanna’s driver let Rihanna off and she reportedly hoped in the car with Chris. Several people that attended the club tweeted that the two were the making out with each other while in the club. The protective order against Chris had been lifted off of him a year before they finally reconnected. Therefore, the two were free to do whatever they pleased. According to someone close to Chris, Chris felt that Rihanna is the love of his life. He thought that since the incident, he ruined all his chances with being with his soul mate. Apparently, Rihanna felt the same way about him, otherwise they wouldn't be together. Chris and Rihanna spent all their time with each other. If they weren't around one another, they were texting. Their getting back together caused them to record a new single, "Birthday Cake (remix). Everyone could feel the love tension in the making of this song. Chris later tweeted, “People who make mistakes and learn from them are role models too. I’m just happy to inspire growth and positivity!” 

Chris & Rihanna Part.2

After severely beating Rihanna up, Chris had caught two felony charges. One felony was for the abuse, and the other for making criminal threats, in which he stated, “I’m going to kill you!” No one knew that this wasn't the first time Chris put his hands on her. Rihanna confessed that Chris blackened her eye the summer before he seriously beat her. She stated that, she wanted to leave him when he hit her, but he always turned out to be her angel. After reporting the police statements, Chris didn't stay in jail. He bonded out on a $50,000 bond. During the court session, Chris pleaded guilty for beating his girlfriend. For beating up Rihanna, Chris was sentenced to five years of probation and 180 days of community labor. Since he pleaded guilty for the criminal threats, that charge was dismissed. He had to do highway cleaning, litter removal, etc. in Virginia. He was also ordered to complete a fifty-two week domestic violence counseling program, in which he had to complete in his home state as well. He was also forced to stay one hundred yards away from Rihanna, unless they were both at an entertainment event, in which he had to stay ten yards away from her. The judge warned Chris that he would have to complete his sentence behind bars if he ever violated any term of probation. Since his guilty plea, Chris made a video to the world apologizing about what he had done. He explained to his fans that what he had done was not excusable. He even took the time out to apologize to Rihanna.

Chris & Rihanna Part.1

As stated in his childhood, Chris had been mentally abused by seeing his mother go through physically abuse with his stepfather. During several interviews, Chris stated that by his mom getting abused, it influenced him to treat women right and with respect. He said he’ll never hurt a woman in any way possible. In 2009, Chris was charged with physical abuse on his former girlfriend, singer Rihanna. Of course it was such a shocker to America. Considering all the talk about how women shouldn't have to endure such pain from abusive men. Even though he bond out of being incarcerated, he still had consequences just like normal, infamous people. The story began saying how very much in love Chris and Rihanna were. They kept their relationship on the hush, but everyone knew what was really going on. One night, they were coming from Clive Davis’ pre-Grammy party when Chris received a text message from another woman. Rihanna seen the message and they started a huge argument. Chris decided to pull over in L.A.’s Hancock Park neighborhood and Rihanna being upset; she grabbed the keys and tossed them out the window. Chris, in rage, looked for the keys and got back in the car. Someone close by watching reported that Chris responded to Rihanna’s action by chocking and threatening to kill her. Rihanna lost consciousness. After she had awoken, Chris was long gone. Looking at the photos, they noticed that Rihanna had several bruises and scars, her lips spit, nose bloody, and they found bite marks on her arm and several located on her fingers. It was a terrible sight!

Reflection on Childhood.

During Chris Brown’s growing ages, he endured so much. As a child, he went through when his mom and dad divorced. He also had to sit and watch his mom being abused by his stepfather. A young child shouldn’t have to go through so much at a young age. I felt for him. Listening and reading how life was. A child that young in age had to go through stuff more than adults today. I honestly admired how through it all, he always kept education first. Even though he was just entering his music career, he always found a way to keep his grades up no matter what. As he got older, I loved how he talked to the younger kids. He explained to them how he praised his education. Without education, Chris wouldn’t be in the music business at this point. That’s exactly what a role model should do; help someone better themselves just like you did.

Early Childhood Part.3

As Chris was growing up, he loved to dance and sing. Michael Jackson was mainly who he admired more than anything. He showed how much he loved him by making a tribute to him when he deceased. He dedicated his dance moves during the video of “She Aint You” in 2011. Chris’s favorite food while growing up (and till this very day) is strawberry cheesecake. During his school days, his favorite subjects in school were Math and Biology. He enjoyed these subjects more than a typical teenager in this day and age. Things that he enjoyed doing in his free time was hanging out with his friends, playing basketball, and of course singing and dancing as usual. His favorite sports were basketball and football. He loved drinking Gatorade and PowerAde and enjoyed chocolate whenever he felt the need to have a snack. In school, Chris was a class clown. He had gotten used to hearing his name come over the intercom. He was a trouble maker and stayed in the principal’s office. Even though he played in high school, education was very important to him. During a question and answering session with Blair High School students, he stated that he spent about four hours a day with a tutor and he planned to balance online college courses with his recording career. When he wasn't paying time in detention, he was trying to gain respect as a singer. The only time Chris wasn't dancing was when he was working with his tutor from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. each day. He used to spend a lot of time on MySpace until someone stole his password. Now it’s all about his website. (www.chrisbrownworld.com) 

Early Childhood Part.2

Clinton, Chris’s dad, was a corrections officer at a local prison, while Joyce, Chris’s mom, was a former day care center director. Chris had one other sibling, an older sister name Lytrell Bundy who worked at a bank.  Chris’s parents got a divorced when Chris was the age of six. Following that, his mother had gotten married to another man. “I don’t want to mention the person’s name – He wasn’t my real father – but somebody hurt my mom and me.” Chris stated. As time went on, Chris watched his mother get abused by his stepfather. He and his sister had to deal with the constant abuse since Chris was the age of six, all the way till he turned thirteen. “It affected me, especially my behavior towards women,” Chris began, “I treated them differently. I don’t want to put women through the same thing that person put my mom through.” Chris was already scared and timid when he was young. His stepfather’s abusive behavior added more fear to his heart. Chris had became so scared that he started to wet his bed. It was his nervousness and fear of getting up to see what was going on that had him wetting the bed. Joyce tried hiding the abusive sides of her husband for Chris and his sister, but they already knew what was going on. “Anybody that’s going through it, just try to deal with it, and talk it out.” Chris pleaded. Early on in his career, he talked about how watching his mother being abused influenced him to treat women with respect. He had it in his mind that he will never hurt a woman in any way.

Early Childhood Part.1

On May 5, 1989, in Tappahannock, Virginia, Clinton Brown and Joyce Hawkins are blessed to be the parents of their baby boy, Christopher Maurice Brown. Chris Brown has been drawn to music since his childhood. He has heavily influenced by the sounds of Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Anita Baker, and Stevie Wonder. Chris’s mother didn't actually listen to his singing voice until the age of 11. By that time, his mom stated that he would walk around the house singing beautifully. She admired his voice enough to encourage him to go see a producer immediately. After all the support and encouraging words, Chris, the age of 13,  finally made his way to see a small production team. They helped him record a few songs as his demo. “There were ups and downs,” he described the process. “But I loved it and I knew I wanted to do it.” Chris, convinced that he could flourish his career in New York City, went to metropolis with the companion of his team. While trying to look for a reliable record company, he finally got the chance to audition in front of Tina Davis and Antonio “L.A.” Reid of Def Jam. Tina was so impressed by his talent that she signed to be his manager and tool him to other companies. Throughout the different companies, he finally concluded on joining Jive. Putting full concentration to his work, he recorded almost 50 songs over six months, fifth-teen were used. Being new to achievement, Chris tried acting. His first appearance was in a TV movie “Christmas in Washington” (2006), along with many other appearances. Besides acting, Chris’s music career still continued. His first single “Wall to Wall” peaked at #22 in Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and has continued to climb to the top.

Introduction

Introduction

Growing up, I never really paid attention to music. I was more focused on going to school and playing around outside with friends. One day all of that changed. The day I started to grow into listening to music, is the day I fell in love with Christopher Maurice Brown. Remembering the first song I ever heard by him, “Run It”, I was admired! His swag, dance moves, and his voice just had me in shivers. I just had it in my mind that I had found the love of my life. From that point on, I stayed on his jock. I didn’t want anyone discussing him in any way whatsoever. I had tons and tons of pictures of him, from school notebooks to hanging on my bedroom wall. Everything that had his face imprinted on it, I had to have. I understood that he was just another singer like everyone else, but it was something more spectacular that he had that not just anyone could have. Every time he sang, I just fell deeper and deeper in love. His singing voice just makes you want to marry him at the very moment. His pretty face makes you want to never let him depart. He hasn’t always made the right decisions in certain situations, but everyone moves on and learns from their mistakes. Although I knew that I would never get to see him, I just felt it in my heart that one day I would become Mrs. Christopher Maurice Brown.

Works Cited

·         "Chris Brown." 30 March 2012. The New York Times. Newspaper. 30 March 2012.

·         "Chris Brown." n.d. Wikipedia. Website. 30 March 2012.

·         "Chris Brown." n.d. We are All CHris Brown: The Difference Between Accountability & Casting Stones. Website. 30 March 2012.

·         Salemi, Vicki. "Rihanna & Chris Brown May Perform Together on 'American Idol!'." 25 February 2012. OK! Magazine. 2012 March 2012.

·         www.chrisbrownworld.com - Webiste

·         Chris Brown/Hip Hop By: James Hooper - Book