Chris Brown was once considered capable of shining in the international music scene with his unique R&B style. However, a series of scandals, especially the assault on his girlfriend Rihanna leading to multiple prison terms, have driven his life into a dead end.
Once Seen as Michael Jackson’s Successor
Unlike many other children, Chris Brown grew up in a happy family with ample opportunities for development. His childhood habit of listening to the radio and dancing to Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson’s music gave him exceptional confidence.
By the age of 13, Brown officially embarked on his journey with million-dollar melodies.
Focusing on R&B, the Virginia-born star broke through on the Billboard Hot 100 with his debut single “Run It,” which topped the charts (from his first album). His second album, “Exclusive,” released in November 2007, featured the song “Kiss Kiss,” which was nominated for Best Rap Collaboration at the 50th Grammy Awards.
With “With You” – an incredibly catchy track blending R&B and Soul – Brown shined as the single hit the top 10 in many countries, earning him the MTV Award for Best Video and a nomination for Favorite R&B Song.
There’s no denying Brown’s talent beyond his smooth and powerful rock & blues music; his impressive dance moves also drew comparisons to Michael Jackson.
To date, Brown has won 14 BET Awards, 5 Soul Train Music Awards, 5 Billboard Music Awards, and 15 Grammy nominations.
The most successful year for Brown was 2008 when he was honored three times at the American Music Awards in the categories of Artist of the Year, Best Pop/Rock Male, and Best R&B Male. At just 19 years old, he was also named the Most Influential Artist of the Year by Billboard.
However, Brown did not anticipate that his glory would fade so quickly. The following year, his career officially collapsed after he physically assaulted his girlfriend Rihanna.
The Biggest Mistake: Assaulting Rihanna
Photos of Rihanna with a bruised face and split lip shocked the entertainment world. No one expected Brown to become so violent, beating his girlfriend mercilessly.
Facing harsh public criticism and legal action, Brown was sentenced to five years probation, one year of psychological treatment, and six months of community service.
Following this scandal, hundreds of radio stations refused to play Brown’s music, sales plummeted, and many music shows banned him from performing.
With his work ignored, Brown became persona non grata in many countries and struggled for a long time with minimal income.
A Surprise Reunion
However, on December 20, 2012, Brown unexpectedly released a duet with Rihanna, indirectly acknowledging their reconciliation. Close sources said Riri’s action wasn’t meant to shock but to show that Brown had genuinely changed.
The singer confirmed: “I will be his guardian angel. I will be there whenever he feels alone and will support him with positive words.”
But shortly after reuniting, they broke up again due to rumors that Vietnamese model Karrueche Tran was the third party in their relationship.
In recent years, Hollywood Life revealed that Brown was deeply saddened. He never stopped loving the “Diamonds” singer and even hoped they would relive their early days.
“Riri doesn’t want to hold on anymore; what the singer did to her in the past was enough suffering. She has decided to keep her distance from Chris under any circumstances,” the source affirmed.
“I Haven’t Done Anything Wrong”
In 2014, Brown faced legal troubles again with a one-year prison sentence for assaulting a man in Washington D.C.
As a result, the notorious rapper was imprisoned for over two months and then transferred to a rehabilitation facility for a five-month psychological treatment.
Brown’s legal issues continued with incidents involving gunfire at nightclubs and threatening former Miss California Baylee Curran with a weapon just because she “dared” to compliment his necklace.
Moreover, in 2017, the R&B star and rapper Lil Wayne were investigated by the police for their involvement in a large-scale drug trafficking operation. In court, music producer Harrison Garcia detailed the drug transactions with the two singers and publicized a $15,000 transfer receipt.
As expected, Brown was soon arrested again for assaulting an innocent person. Police detained the 29-year-old singer after a performance in West Palm Beach, Florida. The controversial star had to post a $2,000 bail.
There were also many other controversies involving Brown related to disrespect towards women and substance abuse.
Those who care about Brown shake their heads in frustration as he remains stubborn. The singer once declared: “I haven’t and will not do anything wrong. I don’t care if people ‘play’ me as if I’m the villain or a crazy person.”
Requesting to be respected as a true artist, Brown continued to make shocking statements that increased public disdain. The 80s star bluntly said that people who claim to like his music but have never paid for his works are just “fake fans.”
Can He Rise Again After His Mistakes?
True to his words, Brown has not abandoned his art despite the turbulence. He consistently releases new material, but alongside his music videos, new scandals continue to emerge.
On January 4, 2019, Brown released the single “Undecided” from his ninth studio album titled “Indigo.” The 29-year-old rapper then embarked on a promotional campaign for the single before being arrested on suspicion of rape.
The accuser claimed the notorious rapper committed the assault after meeting her at a nightclub in Paris, near the Champs-Elysées. At that time, Justin Bieber was heavily criticized for defending Brown, even calling him a “legend.”
However, the former Rihanna lover was eventually released as the 24-year-old woman’s testimony had many inconsistencies.
Now, Brown’s life seems to be in a tight shell. He rarely appears in public, instead frequently posting promotional images and moments with his children on social media.
He has two young kids: a 5-year-old daughter with Nia Guzman and a 1-year-old son with Ammika Harris.
Regarding his career, on May 5, Chris Brown collaborated with Young Thug to release the mixtape “Slime & B.” Many reviews suggest that Brown’s romantic style remains distinctive, and his talent has never waned.
However, despite his efforts to rectify past mistakes with quality products, Brown is still not widely embraced by the public. Some people even declare they don’t want to listen to “Slime & B” simply because of Brown’s involvement.
The American star only sighed: “No one is perfect, and when you hate someone, you won’t care about their good sides.”
