Since Chris Brown’s 2009 domestic assault case against then-girlfriend Rihanna, Brown has had trouble validating his career because of his image.
This has little to do with talent and much to do with the negative media attention he has continued to receive over the past seven years.
Though Brown is far from perfect, his music just might be.
It would be a task to find an avid R&B fan who doesn’t hold the bad-boy crooner in high regard.
It’s been seven years. He’s won Rihanna’s forgiveness, why not ours?
1. Musical talent is a gift to pop culture.
Brown released his first album, self-titled, in 2005.
His debut single, “Run It” hit No.1 on U.S. “Billboard Hot 100,” making him the first male since Diddy in 1997 to have his debut single top the chart.
The album itself peaked at No.2 on the US “Billboard 200” and was certified double platinum.
His second album, Exclusive, released in 2007, had three chart-toppers and also went double platinum.
His fourth album, F.A.M.E., brought Brown his first grammy for “Best R&B Album.”
While his fifth album was not as well received, he still managed to feature some of the hottest artists of the day including Big Sean, Wiz Khalifa, Jhene Aiko, Nas, and Sevyn.
Even though the reviews were not the best, three tracks still made it to Billboard top 10, proving Brown knows how to produce a hit, even if the record lacks strength.
His sixth album, X, also included features from Kendrick Lamar, Diplo, and Danja.
It was during this time Brown was nominated for seven BET awards, winning five.
The release of his most recent album, “Royalty, received mixed reviews but still managed to debut at No. 2 on Billboard top 200. This was his seventh solo album consecutive top 10 release in the United States.
Brown has been nominated for more than 50 awards around the globe for his work.
And besides having an extremely successful solo career, he has an almost second occupation of featuring for his friends and colleagues.
Most of the tracks that feature Brown hit the top of the charts immediately, as his recognizable voice adds sweet melody to even the harshest rap releases.
2. Turned energy to charitable work.
Brown launched his charity, Symphonic Love in 2012, which “supports and creates arts programs for youth while encouraging every day public service, respect and kindness.”
The charity also supports a number of health and education programs and nonprofits that focus on fighting domestic abuse, including Break the Cycle, Jenesse Center and The Positive Results Corporation.
Brown also goes outside his own foundation to positively influence the world.
With the release of his 2015 album, “Royalty,” he donated 1$ of every purchase to the Children’s Miracle Network hospitals.
The charitable side of Brown is much less publicized than his offenses, but he has made it clear that making a change in the youth of America is important to him.
Much of this influence comes from his mother, Joyce Hawkins, who worked for a non-profit while Brown was growing up.
It was her encouragement that sparked him to turn away from the negative attention surrounding his career and image and focus on something that would last past his own legacy, spurring him to start his foundation.
3. Respectable father
Though Brown’s daughter, Royalty, was conceived with Nia Guzman during the singer’s high-profile relationship with Karrueche Tran, it is time Brown is respected as a father.
This man is now half raising his daughter who inspires him not only in his music, but in his daily life as he strives to be an upstanding citizen.
Brown was involved in a lengthy custody battle with his baby mama to get time alone with his daughter—another area of his life that was heavily influenced by his mother.
For the first year of his daughter’s life, he was not allowed to visit her unless supervised.
When taken to court over child support, Brown turned the tables of the case and filed for 50-50 custody and, of course, unsupervised visitation.
The judge not only granted all of Brown’s requests but also issued a gag order on Royalty’s mother, requiring that Guzman stop publicly criticizing Brown on social media.
Guzman was reportedly set on not allowing visits while Brown was on tour, but because she knew Hawkins would be there, her troubles were eased.
Since the court case, Brown has been seen all over social media and elsewhere with his daughter, whom he clearly adores.
He named his most recent album, “Royalty,” after his daughter and has several tracks on the record dedicated to his new love.
Few things can change a man like having a child, and it appears Brown is on a different path than seven years ago, with a different life to live.
by Marianna Vick
CougarBuzz 