Chris Brown

Christopher Maurice Brown (born May 5, 1989), better known as Chris Brown, is an American singer and dancer who rose to fame in 2005 with his platinum selling, self-titled debut album. His first single was a Scott Storch-produced "Run It!" featuring Juelz Santana. With this single, Brown became the youngest male solo artist to release a single that climbed to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. He was also selected to play in the NBA's Celebrity Game alongside such stars as Brandon Routh and Nelly in the NBA's All-Star Weekend 2006 in Houston.

Biography

Early life

He was born to Clinton Brown and Joyce Hawkins in the small town of Tappahannock, Virginia. He is one of two siblings. He gained his love of music at an early age and was influenced by the sounds his parents played on the home radio such as Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Sam Cooke, Donny Hathaway, Aretha Franklin and Anita Baker. By the time he was 13, Chris was discovered at a gas station where his father worked. From there, he was taken to local music producers so that he could begin a career in music.

Music career

Chris Brown's platinum debut album

Brown's local music production team had connections with record labels, and he then flew to New York to audition for Def Jam Recordings Vice President Tina Davis, who currently works as his manager. He was signed to Jive Records.

Brown left school in late 2004 to begin working on his self-titled debut album, Chris Brown, which was released on November 29, 2005. The 16 year-old released his debut single, "Run It!" which was #1 in the United States, Japan and Australia. Following "Run It!", "Yo (Excuse Me Miss)" became Brown's second top 10 hit in the US, peaking at #7, and #13 in the UK. It has been certified platinum by the RIAA. His third single "Gimme That" was released in March 2006 which featured Lil' Wayne for a remix not featured on the Chris Brown album. The single debuted on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 at #80 and climbed the charts quickly. Chris also co-directed his music videos for "Yo (Excuse Me Miss)" and "Gimme That". His fourth single will be the ballad "Say Goodbye" which is also apart of the Step Up Soundtrack. He is currently writing songs for his second album, set to release October 2006. On internet is a song leaked, called "You", which is produced by Mike City.

Career outside of music

Other than his music career, Brown has begun some acting. He made a short appearance on UPN's One on One in March 2006. He also made his way to movies. On a radio station interview in Australia, Brown said that he is going to have a role in a dancing movie entitled Steppin' (release: c. January 2007) along with another R&B star, Ne-Yo. Shooting took place on June 11, 2006. In the same interview, he said that his role is an ambitious dancer and the younger brother of the lead character.

Although Chris Brown is not enrolled in a public school anymore, he currently is attending home school being taught by tutors.

He eventually wants to own his own record label and launch a clothing line.

Personal life

Brown's third single "Gimme That" is about him being attracted to a woman who is three years older than him. The song is not very different from his personal life. In an interview, he stated that he had 3 serious relationships at his young age. At one point the woman was three or four years older than him.

Brown has three tattoos:

• On his right arm he has Jesus with music notes to symbolize his gratitude towards God for giving him the gift of song.
• On his left arm he has his C initial with a hand under it and two stars on the sides.
• His most recent tattoo is on his left arm. It's a spray can with a 2 ↑ and 2 ↓ sign for Virginia.

Awards

• 2006 Soul Train Music Awards - Best R&B/Soul New Artist
• 2006 NAACP Image Awards - Outstanding New Artist
• 2006 TRL Awards - Fake ID Award
• 2006 BET Awards - Best New Artist
• 2006 BET Awards - Viewers' Choice

Discography

Albums

• Chris Brown (2005) #2 US (US Certification: Platinum)
  • First Week Sales: 155,000
  • U.S. Sales: 1,400,000

Singles

Year	Title	Chart positions				Album
		US Hot 100	US R&B/Hip-Hop	UK Singles	AUS Singles
2005	"Run It!" (featuring Juelz Santana)	#1	#1	#2	#1	Chris Brown
2005	"Yo (Excuse Me Miss)"	#7	#2	#13	#10	Chris Brown
2006	"Gimme That"	#15	#5			Chris Brown
2006	"Say Goodbye" [1]	TBR	TBR	TBR	TBR	Chris Brown
2006	"Just Fine" [2]	TBR	TBR	TBR	TBR	Chris Brown

References

1. Billboard Albums Chart History
2. Billboard Singles Chart History

External links

• Official site
• Official UK site
• Chris Brown's Official Myspace
• Chris Brown at AOL Music
• Chris Brown lyrics
• Chris Brown video footage on YouTube