Chris Brown Gives Advice To His Younger Self, Ja Morant, Zion Williamson And More | CLUB SHAY SHAY

You own your masters. Yeah. And you were. one of the youngest to ever do that at. the age of 29. Would you ever I mean a lot of you see a. lot of artists selling their catalog. Is. that something Chris Brown would look to. do in the future? I don't think I would. because I feel like uh. as as a black artist that's that's what. we've been wanting forever. What would. be able to get that? Get our masters. So so for me to be able. to do that like and be one of the first. young cats to do it like it's like all. my I beat the game. But I feel like I.

feel like I wouldn't I wouldn't do it at. this point because that's that's. something my my children's children's. children can eat off.

Hello, welcome to another edition of. Club Shay Shay. I am your host Shannon. Sharpe. I'm also the proprietor of Club. Shay Shay. And for today we have a very. special edition of Club Shay Shay. We're. on the road. He's one of the most. accomplished R&B performer and hit. makers of his era. He surpassed Elvis. Presley for the most gold certified. singles and Billboard Hot 100 entries. among all male vocals in history. The. first male singer to have 20 platinum. singles. The first R&B singer in history. to own 100 Hot 100 hits. One of the.

highest grossing African-American. touring artist of all times. One of the. best selling digital artist of all time. A Grammy Award winner, global superstar, songwriter, dancer, actor, producer, entrepreneur, author, father. Some call. him the king of R&B. When they say R&B. is dead, I say check this man's resume. Ladies and gentlemen Chris Brown. What's. up, man? Man, it was a long time I'm. Man man Jacquees the uh king of R&B, man. You ain't the Jacquees Jacquees. though. I'm going to let him keep that.

title, man. You going to let him keep. You going to let him be that? You going. to let him be that? got it. Bro, how you doing? I'm great, man. I'm great. know, before I start every show, I. always, bro, I have my own cognac. I. brought you I brought you a gift for you. a box. Thank you, thank you. But I want you to. try it. Come on, let's get it. Let's do it. You going Oh, oh, I was about to do it. Okay, come on. You can open it if you. want to. Oh, I'm going to save that for. later. Okay. I don't want to be too saucy. Hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on, hold. on. We got to get a toast first. We got. to get a toast first. We got to get a toast first.

Bro, to continued success. Thank you so. much. all everything you've done. So much more. to accomplish. I appreciate you. It's smooth. Smooth? You like that? You got That's. something you can Yeah, I don't like. when it be like Yeah, it's easy. It. don't got that burn to it. Nice and. smooth. Y'all heard You heard the man. Yeah, it's smooth. Bro, how you doing? I'm great, man. I'm. great. Great? Yeah. Man, I really appreciate. you taking time. Uh Jacquees reached out.

and said, "Man, uh Chris Brown's manager. trying to get get in touch with you. You. mind if I give him your number?" I was. like, "Sure, no problem.". And I was like, cuz you and I, we had we. had talked a little bit before, and you. was like, "I'm going overseas. When I. get back, let's do it." I said, "This. man busy. I see he ain't going to find. time.". I got to, man. I got to. Bro, and then it all happened so quick, cuz this is like a week. And this was. done. I thought you was like, "Are we. going to do it in July or August?" He. said, "Nah, we going to do it in a. week.". Yeah, yeah, yeah. I I had I had to come. through, cuz I I don't like to uh skip. out on my promises, man. I know we.

talked. I was like, "Nah, I got you." I. So, yeah. You did. You said you had me, you got me. So, let's let's talk about what you got. going on. Um before we get into that, basketball. I know you love basketball. Uh Ron Artest said he believed had you. not chosen the music path, you could. have been an NBA player. Yeah. Uh with a. lot more discipline, I think. I think I definitely think I I could. have uh pursued it. I really I really. loved it. I still love the game. I play. all the time. As far as like training and and having.

to get conditioned, I think I could have. did it. I I don't think this profession. kind of made me like. allowed you to do kind of on your. schedule as opposed to somebody else's. schedule. Yeah, so I I got to kind of even get. acclimated in being a team player. You. know what I'm saying? So. Cuz when when I hear everybody uh Snoop. Dogg, I hear a lot of the NBA player. they's like, "Okay, what rapper could. like really hoop?" I'm talking about. like really really hoop. The first two. names come up, you and J. Cole. Yeah.

So, one-on-one, who winning? Well, right now, I mean, J. Cole, I got. to give him his credit cuz he's improved. his basketball game like him I know he. worked with a couple of other guys that. I work with, too, as far as like. basketball training, but. he's he's amazing. I'm still not going. to doubt me now. You know? So, I give me. like a week of practice and then I think. I got a couple of guys out. Drake, he'd. be hooping. Lil Durk. Down with them. They're Oh, you So, you like it. No, this is right there. J. Cole, if you and J. Cole I I think. I'm going to get J. Cole, though.

We we can make that happen. I I would. love I would love to do that. I'm I'm. saying it humbly, though, cuz J. Cole is. is a. cuz I watched kind of watched both of. you guys in the celebrity games at the. NBA All-Star Game. Seeing you play a. couple of times with some real players. You you for real got game. Yeah, if I'm. if I'm serious about it, I play. Most of. the time I try to just have fun, but I. I'm not I'm not taking the L. I got I. got to do that. How much do we need to. put up to make sure you take it serious? If we put up a hundred thousand, winner. take all. Oh, no, I'm in there. That's. mine.

I'm taking that. That's mine. That's. mine. So, so Cole got no chance? I mean, nah. So, if you were to say if you and NBA if. your game Chris Brown your game reminds. you me of what NBA player? You know what's funny, bro? A long time. ago, they when I used to play, a lot of. my homies they like, "You look like CJ. McCollum." Okay. And I was like, "Why?" And then I looked.

at some of his like high school pictures. and and then some of his games like he. was he's long, lanky, played like me. So, I was like, I I mean, I'll take. that. Right. Any NBA player I would take cuz. you know, you know, that's a hard. profession to get into. Right. Did Did. you hoop in high school? Yes, definitely. hooped in high school. I actually played. uh varsity. on the JV squad, but you know, as a as. the as a bring on. Right. But I was I was I was always. playing with older guys at a young age. When I was like 10, 11 years old, my dad. used to take me to the to the gym and. drop me off. He's like, "Look, I don't.

care. Get in the game. I don't care how. old they is. Get in the game." Right. And I'm playing with grown men, 27, 30-year-olds. And I'm, you know, So, what's your favorite NBA team? Favorite. NBA team, man, I'm in LA right now. I. wish I wish my Lakers could Yeah, you. know, that I I really want LeBron and. them. to really do something, man, and and. make some history happen. But uh I'm a. I'm such a fan of a of the game and and. certain areas or certain different teams. that I'm that it's hard for me to be. like, "Hey, I'm this team all the way, you know?" Cuz cuz it's like.

dang, I like I'm friends with this guy. on this team and him have a personal. relationship, so I'm rooting for him. Right. And then on this side So, whoever. wins, the best player wins, but yeah. Who's your favorite player? Favorite. player, Kyrie. You like Kyrie? Kyrie Kyrie, he's one of. my one of my closest friends, too, but. as far as like seeing him play, being around him play, playing with him, like he's probably one of the most. phenomenal guys when it comes to the. English on that backboard. So, what do. you like so much about Kyrie's game? Uh. his tenacity. He's aggressive, but it's.

it's graceful. Right. You know, and and he's he's going. and he and I think he makes other. players better. I think he I think he's. getting into that to that uh that uh. consciousness of saying, "Hey, hey, look, we got to do this together." So, I. think he brings out a a lot of a lot of. uh a lot of spunk and a lot of real real. talent out of a lot of players that that. probably already knew they had it, but. he he encourages that. I know you follow the game closely, so. you see some of the trades that. transpired. Yeah. You see Bradley Beal goes from the.

Wizards, goes to the Phoenix Suns. So, now he pairs with Kevin Durant and Devin. Booker. Yeah. You see Chris Paul gets traded, he gets. moved again, now he goes to the Golden. State Warriors to go with Steph, Draymond, potentially Draymond. Draymond. is an unrestricted free agent. You see. Jordan Poole goes to the Wizards. So, you you think this is Kevin Durant's. opportunity now to get a ring away from. Golden State? I thought it was this. time. You thought it was this time? I thought it was this time, but uh. I I I think it's I think it's up in the. air. I think Chris going to to Golden. State? Man, it's.

that that's a that's a good place for. him. I hope I just want him to get a. ring. Right. I I like Chris been doing this. thing for a while, but I really want him. to get a ring, but I think KD is like. you know, they're going to be coming. They're going to be coming. Would you like seeing Chris Paul on the. on the the Lakers? He would have been a good asset, but I. but I feel like he would have he would. have. uh. You know, there's there's two type of. players. There's the coaches player and. then there's the there's okay, there's. the uh the the militant or the follower.

So, I feel like he would he would help. and assist in them get get it together. Like, you know, bring them all in, make. it so uh from even even from Anthony. Davis to "Hey, look, we got to do this. Y'all make sure y'all this." He's going. to he's he has that tenacity. So, I feel. like him and him and LeBron uh would. have would have I think they would have. paired up. I don't think they would have. clashed. What about a Kyrie-LeBron. reunion? I would love it. I would love. it. Uh I think uh. Here in LA or you want Bron to go to. Dallas? Nah.

It's got to happen in LA, huh? Yeah, it's got to be in LA. I I would I. would love to see them paired up. I. think their chemistry is like. undeniable. And I think what seeing. those two guys in motion is just a spark. another a whole another. uprise in those guys. So, I feel like. that's what I want to see. I mean, I. don't know what Kyle want to do, man, but I would love to see that. I want to. get you get your take on this. Um you. you you've been in the spotlight, man, basically your whole life. I mean, since. you probably 12 or 13. Yeah. And you get Zion Williamson who's.

been in the spotlight since he's. probably 15 16. Yeah. And you see the issue he having. with girls. What advice would you give. him? How would you tell him to navigate. this situation? He's in it now. There's. there's there you can't turn it back. He. has a girl he has one young lady. pregnant. He's going to have he's. welcoming a child. And then you have. this other one over here just putting. all his business out there. I mean, it's hard out here when it comes to. I don't know. I would I would just pray. for Zion, man. I feel like, "Hey, man, you know, just just pray and you know, be be the best man you can be at that. point, you know, I'm I'm blessed to have.

three children. Uh three different baby. mamas, okay? But at the same time, I the. relationship that I built with them and. the and the uh the energy that I that I. kind of come with is is is a little bit. more I don't know I'm a R&B guy. So, I'm. a so I'm a little bit more subtle with. it. Uh is it hard? Is it hard? It's very. hard. You got to you but you got to also. watch out. It's it's like, you know, we. all want to be in the same spots, the. same places, the clubs. We want to be I. to this day I still want to see some. beautiful women. But at the same time, you just got to be mindful of. the the certain company you will keep or. or the the traps that will will accept. themselves. As athletes, I'm pretty sure. that the guys on the team probably give.

him real pep talk. Look, you can't do. this. Look, this is you know, but. on the road on our on our end, it's a. it's a little bit different, but I. understand what he's going through. So, he just got to he just got to hold his. head together, man. Hold hold your head, big bear. So, you hopefully he he's learned from. some of the mistakes that he had made up. because I'm sure there there this this.

you're hopefully he's learned from some. of the mistakes that he had made up. because I'm sure there there this this. social media is a different animal. Man, animal animal. I try to I'm engaged. with the social media stuff, but I try. to stay away like my fans always asking. why you never like posting. selfies or you never I'm like sometimes. I just be wanting to chill because. because it's a lot. to get away from that. Yeah, sometimes you need to sometimes. you need that peace of mind. So I feel. like in this era so easy to contact. someone. Yeah. You know, so so if you so. even if if made it too accessible. Too.

accessible. You I you can scroll down. your explore page and you're like, oh. man, hold on and just say, hey and they. hit you back and it's. You can say that. Most people can't say. that. They going to say, bye. You can say, hi this like is this really. you? You say, yes. Yes, you got to use that vanish mode. SO THAT THING DISAPPEAR after. conversation. Definitely, definitely. Let me ask you this. Obviously, uh the. Ja Morant he was suspended for 20 to. first 25 games of the season. Yeah.

What if if if you could see if Ja if Ja. sitting right where I'm sitting and you. could talk to him, what would you say? I mean, I don't know what I what I would. say because I because I also look at my. life and I and I kind of look at it as a. mirror with certain things especially. when it comes to like uh being in in. shunned in a in a certain negative. spotlight. I I feel like he's he's going. I mean, everybody learns man. He's a. he's young and I but I feel like he's he. he you know people make mistakes, you.

know, sometimes you make continuous. mistakes. Right right. But you know, I feel like. uh I I can't I can't tell him how to how. to write his story or or or or find his. path. I would just say. just just. do what you came in to do. Right. I would that's all I can say. You try to surround yourself with as. many good people Yeah. as you possibly. can. Yeah. And if you feel somebody is not. adding Yeah. you have to remove them. Yeah. Have there been a situation where.

you felt someone was not adding to Chris. Brown, but they were taking? 100%. That you had to like, bro, I'm sorry, but I've got to stop the ride here. You. have to get off. Yes, absolutely. Absolutely. Through the. years. Is it hard? It's very hard because you. build relationships with people and you. have and you have. like brotherhoods with people. People. People. stay like when you're on the road, you. got people with you every day. Or and. you know, some some people I'm I'm a. family first type of guy. But fam family. doesn't necessarily mean have have to be. biologically. Right. It's not. necessarily blood because sometimes.

blood Yeah, you know. So, I feel like I. I have a I have a a nice entourage or a. nice group of people now that that are. for me that understand the the bigger. goal. You know, so I think now it was. very it was very hard for me because I. cuz I I would hang out with, you know, we we'd be with gangbangers. We'd be. with the wrong type of people. You would. be with, you know, just just people that. don't go with the life path that you. might want to choose. Correct. So, I feel like but but you. kind of you kind of start absorbing. their energy. So, if it if it doesn't.

benefit you, I feel like you really have. to kind of. like separate yourself. And and I was my. children were able to kind of like get. me out of that So, it was the kids for. you. For me, per se. Yes, definitely my. my kids cuz it made me have a real. responsibility. Like I could be reckless. without with no one to care for. But, you know, my my children are like. Yeah, so it kind of made me start. thinking. Yeah. And it sees what Chris. is doing. What sees what daddy is doing. Yeah. So, you feel that had you not had kids,

you might have been on a different path. Possibly. Possibly. I might have been a. lot more uh. careless. Careless cuz I was I was. reckless. I was definitely I've been. reckless when I was young a lot. You're. still young, Chris. You know that, right? Yeah, but I'm talking about I'm talking. about I'm talking about 19, 20, 21. Like. yeah, I was I was I I I I was feeling. myself, you know? So, I think I think. now I'm able to be appreciative of like. Let's say if if people like a song I.

have or people listen to my mixtape, you. know what? I really like that song. I. really feeling it. You be like For real? Oh, thank you. And it's a real thank. you. It's not like, "Oh, all right.". Right. You know? So, I think my kids. made me kind of like see other aspects. that were fun in life. But we're still. we're still I'm still able to uh have my. my career of the lifestyle that I live. but maintain it in a in a in a better. balance, you know? Do your kids make you appreciate more a. life? Yeah. They made me appreciate the stuff. that I I used to do when I was a kid cuz.

they do everything that I used to do. when I was a kid. So, and then being. able to talk to them like my dad would. tell me certain things, but there would. be kind of there would be limitations on. it. I feel like I I'm just like, "Hey, let me tell you this cuz cuz you're. going to cuz I know you're going to do. this. So, let me let me explain to you. early.". Exactly. So, it's it's a little different like my. kids are definitely my friends until I. have to be their father when they're old. old old. Like older and I'm like, "Look, okay, look, you can't be doing it.". Right now right now I'm in the fun. stages. Right. Yeah. So, how difficult is it for your. kids considering.

your parents. didn't have what you have. So, how. difficult is it going to be for you to. rear your kids compared to how your. parents reared you? The funniest thing. for that is that I I I love the people. that I have around, but I always tell. tell my mom I tell their moms I'm like, "Look, I I didn't have none of this like but I. still had so much fun as a as a child. My my mom and my father they they. allowed me to be like Kids need things. now to Chris to be happy. Oh, they.

I spoil them now. You okay. I do spoil. them now. But I I I always joke with my oldest. daughter and I'm like, "Look, I'm finna. take you to the hood. You finna go and. and learn all and stay over there with. your cousins for a couple weekends just. so you just so you nothing is handed to. you. I want you to understand like I. want you to be just as sweet how my. mother is and how my mother instilled in. me, you know what I'm saying? But at the. same time find yourself, love life and. don't you don't have to follow in. daddy's footsteps. Like if if they want.

to sing great, if they want to perform. entertain business, perfect. But I I'm. just as happy if they want to do. anything else. With when you were growing up, let's. just say for the sake of argument you're. 7 8 7 to 10 years old. What did Chris. Brown want to be? 7 8 man. I I'm not going to lie. At that time. I love so much I love music so much but. it was kind of like my own personal like. okay nobody really knows I love this.

music like this. I really wanted to like. play sports. I wanted. I wanted to be in the NBA. I wanted Did. you play football? Yes, definitely play. football. I ninth grade I'm be real with. you. Like my ninth grade year I had. broke my wrist in both in in both bones. I snapped it. Boom. Catching a catching. a I was wide receiver. But I caught a. pass. Boom. I'm right at the like the 10. yard line. My my cousin that plays on the other. team. hits me. Breaks my arm. He broke your. wrist? Broke my wrist. It was done.

Cole, how you do me like that? Man, I. was like what you doing? He he was. apologizing and everything. And we went. undefeated that year. I was so mad but. but what happened was it it kind of. almost prohibited me from playing. basketball. So I was like you know what? I might I might need to if I really want. to do the basketball You got to get get. this one up. Yeah yeah I'm going to give. the football up. You know, but I love. football though. Still love football. Who you have a team? You have a player. favorite player? You know, I'm from. Virginia so. it's it's a whole bunch of you you you. the Redskins or you or you the Cowboys.

You know, cuz we don't really you know. Virginia we don't really have a football. team. But in my household it was the. Redskins or the Cowboys. And they used. to argue. Yeah. You You the Cowboys? How. you how you like the hold on. If you. from If you from that area If you from. the DC, the Maryland, the Virginia, you. hate the Cowboys. No, no, no. See, in our household, they love the Cowboys. They love the Cowboys? love the Cowboys. Y'all had to be Y'all. had to be undercover Cowboys. Yeah, you you put big coats on. Big. coats, you know, don't wear the jersey. to the.

game. So, 7A, you like, okay, I'm taking. it really So, when did you start to take. music serious and say, you know what? This basketball thing got to take a. backseat. Um I was actually doing music. secretively. Like I was doing like the. like nobody in my school knew that I. that I kind of like did music. Didn't. know I could sing and things like that, but I would be in basketball practice. I'm saying these seventh eighth grade, ninth grade basketball practice 6:30, then drive a hour away, go to the studio. and be there till maybe I say.

3:00 in the morning, then got to get. back and go back to school. You know, so. I was doing that a while. But I met I have met these these. producers, a couple guys that were from. the area and I was like, no, I'm I'm. serious about it. So, you know, I was a. little nervous cuz I never really. recorded and did stuff like that. So, my. first time actually doing it, I was I. was kind of like. just wet behind the ears. Like, hey, man, what are we going to How do I do. this? Like in my Do I even sound good? But I I knew I I had it in in me to do. it. So, I just was like, this is this is. kind of calling me faster than I think.

that the other thing is. Yeah. So, but how was it like. giving so much. you're a child superstar. and the expectations that come along. with that? Man, I was. I was kind of still in bliss. Like when. I was like 15, 14, my first song came. out, I was I was kind of like shocked. So, everything was new. So, I I I kind. of I kind of had tough skin cuz I was. just, you know, I wanted to. I was ready for it. So, whether had to. be doing.

hours and hours of van rides from from. the East to the West Coast or you know, going to through the Bible Belt, doing. every every interview, every radio. station. I did It was something I wanted. to do. I felt like I I felt like it was. my calling. Like, and I'm from a small. town, so I was like, "How did I even get. here?" Every step of the way. So, I was appreciative, you know. I was I. was ready for what I did. Did you do talent shows growing up? I think I did one actual talent show. It. was at It was at summer camp. Oh, okay. It was at like a summer camp I did You.

better have a one. Oh, I won. Okay, I was going to say because. somebody got bragging rights. Yeah, I know. I definitely won and I did. I did It's funny. I did Thong Song, Sisqo. Oh, man. Bro, I had two like little my little HOMEGIRL. DANCERS LIKE. I HAD TO BE LIKE, BRO, I had I had to. have been seven, like seven or eight. Old. I hope that was at the end of the week. camp, and not the beginning of the week. cuz they'd probably go send you home. Oh, no, no. They the the the the camp. leaders, they they laughed, but.

everybody kind of went crazy in there. and I was like, I think I might can do this. Right. You know, but that was my first. actual talent show. I didn't really like. I used to go to the mall and sing. I used to go to the mall like my. homeboys would go come with me like the. weekend we'd go drive up to the mall and. be like and they'll see a group of. girls. And you know, in like the food. courts in certain malls it echoes. So, I was like, "You know what?" They'd. be like, "Yo, bro, just sing." And I. I'll sing Mario, I'll sing somebody's. song that's hot on the radio, Usher's. song. Like, so and then they would they. would be like, "Hey, what's y'all's. name?" And I'd be like, "Okay, we good.

Okay, I got We can do this. We can do. this every weekend. Let's do it." So, you singing in the mall to get the. girls. Absolutely, 100%. It It worked every time. It worked Yeah, it worked every time unless they was a. too grown. They'd be like, "Y'all some. little boys. We can't mess with y'all.". So, what So, what have you learned from. if if if what would the 33 I think. you're 33 about to be 34? No, I just. turned 34. You just turned 34. What would a 34-year-old. tell the 15 to 20 23-year-old Chris.

Brown? 15 and 23-year-old uh What would. the 34-year-old tell him? I would say I damn I never thought about. that. That's crazy. I I think I would tell him. be humble. Uh. the road ahead isn't isn't the end. It's just the beginning. Mhm. So but but be humble in everything you. do. So. It says you discovered that your dad's. gas station.

Yeah, yeah, kind of yeah. Yeah. how did that go? Okay, you you're. dancing you have to put the So did you. pump gas or you just at the gas station. with your dad and you know, you just. singing and people like man Yeah, I used. to help my dad. I used to he I I used to. go there after school and then. uh you know, I certain people come in he. was like hey, I'm does anybody in this. town like do music talent anything and. then and I was just listening to the guy. and my dad was like my son sings and so. he basically gave us like. uh his contact information and through. him I met the producers and the people.

who actually uh got me to you know, getting to New York and meeting the the. record labels. So a lot of a lot of that. uh a lot of that time that was kind of. like a four-year process but that kind. of started it. That's how I was. discovered. So I mean, Teddy Riley's. from your area. area, Timbaland, Magoo, Missy, all you. Pharrell, yeah, you ain't bumping to. none of them, man? No, cuz cuz. Virginia's Virginia's so big. I'm sure. like Virginia's big and it's different. places. Where I'm from it's maybe like I. want to say a hour and a half away from.

where they are. You know, and then. we don't have like musical centers or or. performing arts stuff that that we can. showcase our talent. It's Virginia's. really like a sports, you know, a state. So I feel like. uh we were kind of like the rose in the. concrete. I feel like everybody was kind. of like oh, you made it? Man, it's. amazing. Right. But but you know, yeah, Teddy Riley and all them they kind of. started it off cuz Virginia Beach kind. of was Yeah. was I remember my my moms.

and aunts and Poison the Bell Man, they. going they said we going down there for. the weekend and I we never be able to. go. Shaker. Man, they was going out there. probably wilding. Mama, hope you won't. So, when you tell your parents you're. dropping out of high school, Yeah. did they say, "Boy, you crazy." or did. they say. of made it sound nice. UH HOW YOU OKAY. okay I said, "Mama, I I I got this I got. this opportunity. I'm I'm I remember. being in the phone. I was I was in New. York, but I was in uh the record label's.

office, but I went to the bathroom. I. said, "Mama, I really think I got a record deal. I. said, "But I'm not going to get out of. school. They'll give me a tutor." You. know you know, so I I I actually. finished school. So, I I but it took me. instead of me finishing when you were. supposed to. Yeah, I left Yeah, it took me like 2. years because I was doing I was on the. road. I was working. Right. Uh my 9th and 10th grade, I left. my 10th grade year and that's when my. single came out. So, but so I was. supposed to be class of '07, but I ended. up becoming class of '09 because I had. to I had to wait. Yeah. Why was you What made you bet on.

yourself? Why was you so sure that this. was the opportunity that was too good to. pass pass up and I'm willing to like, you know what, forego my final 2 years? I feel like the dream I don't I never. lost that uh. when when they like, "What you want to. be when you when you grow up?" and you. still have those those uh grandiose. ambitions. I felt like the light bulb. was clicking like, "Hey, this is that. Right. You've been asking for this. This. is what you asking for, a goal. And look. look look where we are in this. situation. Like, my my family didn't.

didn't have money at all. So, it's like. I wanted I wanted to do better. than my whole like. before me and before before them. Right. You know what I'm saying? I wanted to be. able to say, "You know what? I I did. this out of out of everybody in my. family, everybody in my town, every you. know, I saw I saw the opportunity to. make it a better opportunity for them.". And definitely make a better opportunity. for my mom. You leave, you move to New. York. New York is really really different than. Virginia. Yeah. They Did it Did it Did. it get lonely? Did you get homesick? Did.

you say, "Damn, I don't know if I made. the right Did the right thing here." You. know what? It was fun because. because of the freedom. Like my mom My. mom didn't know at first because a lot. of the a lot of the times uh I would go. on a Greyhound from Virginia and go all. the way to to Harlem and and I would be. I would be You by yourself? No, I would. be with with the the guys who were in. the production team. And they had And. they had a a son. He's He's my brother. to this day. But we were the same age. So he kind of showed me the ropes. And. he And he grew right up in in in middle.

Harlem. So I'm like. I was kind of It was a culture shock. It. was like, "Man, I felt so green. Like I. felt so out of it.". Right. And And I would speak to people. I would go and see people be like, "Hey, how y'all doing?". That ain't how they do it in New York. They be like, "What the hell wrong with. Right. You're right. Yeah. You got me. from the South. Yeah. So I So I had to I. had to really kind of like get. acclimated. But I over over about a. 3-month period I kind of started started. finding my way. And I think that kind of. made me be adaptable in in in every. situation to be an artist going whether.

it be Belgium, whether it be London, Australia. Like I'm I'm able to to uh. be presentable in a room amongst. different cultures and and ethnicities. Were there ever nights that you think. this wasn't going to happen? Yeah, all the time. All the time. I I. feel like a lot of like a lot of people. don't see no's that everybody gets. Like. Like they just see the success and. Right. And they don't think that it. takes uh hard work and dedication. you just got discovered, you went to. this place, and then boom, it blew up. Yeah. Like it would sound like that if. it was written in a you know, fairy tale.

story. But no, a lot a lot of hard work. A lot of late nights sleeping nights. stressing nights crying in the studio. not thinking I'm good enough like as a. as a younger artist. But. yeah, a lot of that. But I I think like. I could I didn't let that doubt. overshadow. the the the dream. I feel like my heart. was was was was in it. So, I was I was I. was ready for anything. Just even to. this day like my my heart and my passion. is in what I do. Yeah, so I so I feel. like that's what I guess keeps me. consistent or keeps people interested or.

or or you know, engaged in my music. Def Jam, you get a contract offer from. Def Jam. They offer you a contract on. the spot and you turned it down. Why did. you turn it down? What was it the the. the numbers or what what what what made. Chris Brown? Cuz this is your. opportunity. This is Def Jam. This ain't. no no this ain't no no glass of music. This is Def Jam and they offer you a. contract Chris and you said, "Nah, I'm. good." I think. I'm country. The man wouldn't talk to my mama.

Huh? So, basically he wanted me to. basically like with the production guys. I'm not going to say the executive name. cuz I love him to this day. I'm never. going to. I'm never going to expose him. But, I wanted to get him on the phone with my. mom and be like, "Okay, cool. So, could. you explain this to my mom what's going. on?" You know, I'm I'm I think I'm 14 at. the time. So, yeah, 14 just turned 14. And my production crew was there but you. know, they they're my handlers at that. time but you know, at the same time. we're all in the same excitement but I.

just wanted to make sense. My mom is her. word is. She's an adult. So, tell her what. mama's boy so, you got to tell talk to. my mama. Right. So, as soon as that happened, uh. he was like, "Oh, no, no, no, no, no, I. don't need that. We're good." And I and. I kind of I didn't like I didn't like. what they I felt like they wanted to get. over. Like I was you know, I wasn't I. wasn't green. I was very street smart. So, I just was like, "Well, why wouldn't. you just. You know, I'm not saying, "Hey, say hi. to my mama such and such." I'm just. like, Just tell her what you're telling. me. Exactly. So, so that kind of made me.

kind of. have reservations but then Tina Davis. who was my manager at the time, she was. working at Def Jam. Um I think she they. had a merger so she she was uh went she. went her separate ways. But I had I had. learned so much from her even from going. into the different meetings how to prep, how to be ready to perform. So I was. like, "You know what? I need someone. like that that can show me that cuz I. don't I'm just I'm just going off the. raw music at this point." So she was. able to I was like, "Tina, would you. mind managing me?" And so she was like,

"Cool, let's do it." And from there she. actually got me. uh all the other other deals or other. other uh sit-ins with the the labels. that I was sitting with. So yeah. Did he turn you down? Yeah. Yeah. So so how how did that meeting go? So so what So how did the meeting go and. then what did Diddy say? Why did he turn. you down? And this was this was probably. maybe two or three years uh prior. So I. was like 11 or 12 at this time. Um the same kid that I said that that. was showed me the ropes in New York, yeah. He he me and him had songs. It was.

like a group. So me and him had. different like. uh songs that we would do together or I. would do solo songs. So we both got the. audition. He's like, "All right, cool. Let's go Let's go and meet him and let's. go sing.". So we went in and we went in there. together. He was like, "Cool." We We did. the song that we have together and I'm. singing on the chorus. And so he was just like, "Cool. Cool.". "Uh yeah, I'll I'll talk to y'all." You. know, he Yeah. "Uh can you go outside. for a second? We're going to just talk.".

They was like, "Nah, we don't want We. don't want him.". They didn't want you? Nah, they didn't. want me. So I was like, as a as a 12 13-year-old. I was in the elevator probably. crying like a mug. So I just. But you knew who Diddy was, right? You. like. Of course. Of course. And. at the pinnacle I'm like, "Man, I'm. First of all I'm just excited just to. meet them." Yeah, like so being in the. room kind of made me uh. made me like shaky. So I don't I. probably was nervous and singing crazy, but at the same time he's like, "Uh.

yeah, I'mma pass on that." So I was kind. of I was like, "You know what? I'mma show him.". Like so that was my that was my uh my. motivation to keep going, too. If so, because. knowing who Diddy was, Yeah. for Diddy to say, "Nah, you need. to go on outside." It probably would be. like a a basketball player say Phil. Jackson saying, "Nah, go away." You. know, one of these prominent coaches. saying, "Nah, bro, you not I don't think. you good enough.". Yeah. So, you go so you on the elevator, what are you thinking? Like, am I not.

good enough? Cuz P. Diddy just told me. like, "Nah." Of course. Of course. Of. course. I definitely I was in the. elevator like, "All right, man, this. might be it for me." You know, cuz as a. kid when you're a kid, you think. anything that's. If you ain't If you ain't If you ain't. in the room, yeah. But I think I think I. just took I took that motivation. Me and. my Me and my my homeboy, we just was. like, "You know what? Let's just keep. going back in the studio. Let's just. Let's just make more songs. Let's get. get better. We just started, so I think. But I I think I think Puff for that,

man. Hey, Diddy, man, I appreciated though. like cuz that made me that made me get. on my grind. You say you hired Tina. Davis as your business manager. What did. you learn from her? I learned. everything from media training to to how. to how to how to be presentable in the. room, how to how to speak to people, how. to how to listen to people, you know? I. was I was like so country and like, "Hey, what's up, y'all?" I'm just loud. So, I feel like I I feel like she guided. me through a lot of the the music.

industry, the business of how it works. Meeting PDs, the program directors, and. and and going to different radio. stations, teaching me how to have. showmanship. Like, she was she was like, "Nah." She used to tell me cuz cuz. Ne-Yo's a good friend of mine as well, and she worked with Ne-Yo before, so she. was like She like, "Nah, uh-uh. You. don't got showmanship like Ne-Yo.". And I was like, "Huh? What what. What am I not doing?" So, I would have. just rehearsals not even dance. rehearsals, just rehearsals of me just.

figuring out how to be me on stage or. what what was me when I get on stage, you know? So, when you hear that first song. you hear come on the radio. what's going through your mind? Man, I'm cursing first of all. I'm in the basement so my mama don't. hear me, but I'm cursing. I remember I. had a. a spot in Jersey because right when I. signed my deal, I wasn't out of school. yet. But they had they had to push put. me in a place to where I could be closer. to the label to start working. So, I was.

still doing school in Virginia and I had. just left them and I was like, "Yeah, I'm about to I'm about to be on the. radio." Everybody like, "Man, you ain't. on the radio. What are you talking. about?" So, then when they say. I remember the song came on. My cousins. was calling me like, "Bro, they playing you on the radio, bro." And. I'm like, "You lying." And I remember I. turned it on. I think I sat in the in. the in the corner and was like. and yelled for like 5 minutes straight. Like I felt it was the best feeling. Like I still feel like that when I when. I hear my songs on the radio till now.

It's not the same excitement, but it's. still the same. that first time, man. Yeah, yeah, yeah. It's definitely definitely. Run It made. you the first artist since '95 to have a. debut single to top the charts. Man. Man. Did did did you know that song, we. I mean obviously it was the first song. that was released, but did you know that. song would forever change your life? No. No. I'mma be real. I when I did that. song, we were in Miami at Hit Factory. Scott Storch, Sean Garrett. Like and I.

was just learning. I was a student. because this was my first ever album. So, any producer I would meet any I'm. just soaking it all in, you know? So, I'm I'm scared. I'm thinking like, "I. don't sound good. I I don't I don't know. if they Do I sound good? I hate I don't. know if I like the song." Because I was. too nervous in my head. But then then. they was like, "Nah, this is the one.". But I knew I wanted the dance in it. The. music was bumping so I was like, "Look, I want to dance. I just want to showcase. this." But I didn't know. I I think I I. never had an expectation that it would.

it would have the success that it it put. me at, you know? So what's your. your favorite song of all the songs. you've done? What's your favorite song? And give me your top three. My top three. Man. It's so hard for me because I have the. just to be honest, I have about 15,000. UNRELEASED SONGS, RIGHT? WHAT? YEAH. I. got like in my phone alone, like in my. in certain apps I have. I want to say maybe 1,800.

Just 1,800 to like yeah. So obviously. we're in your studio. So you'll come. down here like, you know, it's like and just crank out songs. Yeah. Yeah. Uh it was a point it was a. point where I I used to stay in the. studio. like when I was doing a lot of my. earlier albums. I had to learn. But but around I want to. say around the Fame album and certain. stuff like that I was kind of like in my. in my zone. I knew how I knew what I. wanted. you in your bag. Yeah. So so even for me now, I put the.

studio in my house because. like I can draw inspiration faster. Like. if I think of something if I think of an. idea like, "Oh, I got an idea for this. song." I don't have to like wait or set. up the studio and be like, "Okay, I got. to go to the studio now." So if you in. your bed at night and you think of. something, you'll just come down here. and just Yeah. Uh depends cuz I make. sure my engineer is awake, you know what. I mean? If it's like 5:00, 6:00 in the. morning, I'm like, "Man, I'll just do it. in the morning." But like if it's maybe. if it's midnight, I'm like, "Hey man, you up? Let's Let's do it." Wow. So 18,000 unreleased songs.

Um. What? I mean, how do you How do you get. to 18 How do you get to like 100? I'll. say somebody say, "Well, you know, I got. like 20. I got 50 unreleased songs.". Yeah. But you saying like in some of. your apps you have 1,800. So you just. like like go days, months, years where. you just record. Yeah. I I I literally. recorded like four songs yesterday. But I did like I do it in spurts. So. sometimes some days I'll just relax. I. might do one song. But then but some. days it's just like we just cuz I feel.

like it's like sharpening your sword, man. Like being better at your craft. Like shooting jump getting your jump. shots up. Right. Like I feel like I don't want to. be complacent and and and thinking I'm. I got it all figured out. I never want. to think that I oh yeah, I'm Chris. Brown. So whatever I put out is going to. be great. I want to make sure it is, you. know. Are there any songs that you wrote. for an artist that if people actually. knew you wrote it, they would be. surprised? Um. I think back in the day they did. I I I. wrote a I wrote a lot of couple pop.

records. I wrote a couple Jonas Brothers. songs. I wrote a couple. I wrote couple Rihanna songs. Uh. Damn, I do a couple country country. record. I used to write a lot for for for a lot. of different artists, but it was more it. was more so me experimenting with with. what music was. Like I wasn't just doing. R&B. So I would just write but I but. I've LaToya Luckett I've written for. It's been It's been a lot of people I've.

written for. But. I feel like. a lot of people didn't know I I really. write cuz as as an artist, you know, you. get a lot of lot of. you know, a lot of artists that music. artists that don't Don't write for. themselves. Yeah. But and I and. I can't I can't shun them because I work. with a lot of producers, a lot of. writers and we do different things, but. I've also had time to sit down and just. really have my own songs that people are. loving. I'm like I'm glad they love. that. I wrote that song. You know? So. yeah. What's what's your favorite music genre?

Is it pop? Is it R&B? Dance? Euro? Rap? I'm eclectic. I'm. eclectic. So I like I like. certain songs. Like I think when a song. comes out and it just it moves me I I. just like it. It could It could be a. country song. It could be a piano song. It could be a heavy metal song. Like you. know, I think I just think whatever. whatever frequency that that attunes me. to it is is what I what I kind of. gravitate to. In my lane of my music, I. love doing I just love doing feel good.

music, fun music, music people can dance. to but at the same time give them give. them certain. things that get them through their life. Cuz I cuz I see a lot of my fans or I. talk to them whether it's meet and. greets, whether it's Discord, or. whatever it is and we talking and it's. like they they explain to me how certain. songs got them through life situations. and and I'm like, "Wow, that really it. kind of sinks in with me." It makes me. makes me kind of like, "Dang, I'm I'm. really doing the music for it actual. purpose." So, when I do certain songs, speak from my experience but also try to.

speak to uplift somebody, make them have. fun, or make them be like, "Hey, man, this makes you makes me feel good. inside.". Are there any features that you turned. down you was like, "Damn, I should have. hopped on that one.". Any features that I turned down that I. No. I'm I I ain't going to lie. I'm on a lot. of features. I I. I feel like I feel like there's certain. songs that I wish. that I was on when I would hear certain. songs but then I would be like, "That's. just That's just my my artist ego. wanting to be a part of it.".

Yeah, but but I feel like I feel like. even. there's there's certain records out. there that I'll hear and I'm like, "Man, that's amazing.". But but I think that's that's good for. me because I'm not I don't think I get. convoluted in in. what I sound like. I'm able to. appreciate other people music and not be. like, "Oh, it's just only about me.". Have you ever been removed from a song. after it's been recorded? I don't think so. Have I been removed? Have you removed. somebody from a song after it's been. recorded? Yes.

So, so how do you how do you go about. how do you go about telling them or. telling him or her that their verse. isn't going to make it. Man, uh Do you tell them or you have. somebody else call and tell them? I. think it'd be better coming from you, though. Yeah, I I would tell them. I. would tell them. I I've done I've done. songs uh. like even even with my I ain't going to. say their names. There's certain artists. that that that are that are like really.

friends with me and we've done songs, but I may have I may have had like two. songs already with them. I'm like, "Look, I ain't you I ain't going I'mma. take you off this one because we already. got this other song.". Right. You know, so I've done that, but. then it's. That's when That's when you tell them. No, no. That's That's been the reason, but. the other ones that got taken off just. to get taken off, it just didn't fit. It. didn't fit the record. And I I felt like. the timing with it I and we just I'll. explain it to them and I'll be like, "Look, it just doesn't fit the timing. for for what we doing and how we want to. shoot the record, but I I haven't let.

down too many people, though. I I didn't. try to let down too many people. You're a fit guy. You in the train, you. like to work out. So, what do you do? So, so what do you do? You on tour. How. does Chris Brown manage to stay in shape. because you got to you're a you're a. performer. You're not just a singer, you're a performer. You're an. entertainer. Let me take that back, you're an entertainer. So, singing, dancing, that's a part of the act. So, how do you maintain that level night. after night after night, week after week.

after month after month? Man, I just. think I got. more uh. more adrenaline than most people. But at the same time, uh my team, man, I. think everybody keeps a a tight schedule. when it comes to what we doing on the. road. Like our chef makes sure we we eat. the right stuff. I don't I don't try to. eat stuff that's going to sit heavy. I. want to see anything that builds my. protein or just builds my endurance. I'm. that's what I'm on on tour. I'm I'm. really and I'm really uh. I'm I'm I'm finicky about it. Like I'm.

not cuz we also have after-parties after. shows on tours. It's a long road, but at. the same time I make sure I at least get. my 8 hours of sleep. Right. So, the rest is that me and my. dancers that work out is like no other. So, you know, we we we got our work out. regimen. We do our like 15 to 30-minute. flash set before we go before we get on. stage and then and then repeat it over. and over. So, I. I've been able to have. this fast metabolism. Hopefully, it. never slows up. How.

I'm just trying to figure out how do you. protect your voice? With me, well, I wouldn't I wouldn't. advise this to everybody else cuz I do I. do smoke every now and then a lot. But I I for me, I have. the I use these they're the they're. these pills. They're called mullein. mullein pills. They're good for your for. your lungs. So, and I make sure that I'm. not just smoking smoking smoking before. I go on stage. So, a lot of the times. I'm I'm. whenever I am smoking, I'm doing. something to counteract it. I'm making.

sure I'm tea and vocal rest is the best. Like like I'm yelling on stage two two. and a half hours, you know, so after. that. chill out after that. Say what's up, bro. Cool. You know, I I try to I try to. refrain from. doing anything that's going to put too. much of a strain on my voice. What I have to applaud, bro, I don't. know. I mean, I have to go back to like. James Brown to see somebody. to sing and perform like you. I mean, it's continuous. It's non-stop. I mean,

I first when the first time I ever heard. of Chris Brown, I heard you say. something like, "Oh, I can out-dance. Usher." I said, "Man, this man is lying. his DAMN BUTT OFF. HE'S 13 AND HE'S. ALREADY LYING. WHO TAUGHT THIS MAN to. lie like this at 13?". And then I watched it. I was like, I and then you're like, "I might get my. Michael I'm like, I don't know. He. might." I mean, to see the way he move, man, and the way he can contort his. body, I don't know. He might be on to. something. How When did you learn to do that? I I.

watched that. That's being a kid at the. cookout, man. That's the. uncles like, "Man, come out here, man. Do that do that dance you be doing, man." So, I feel like. uh my childhood gave me that freedom to. really like, you know, Right. be from MC. Hammer, watching MC Hammer, yeah, Michael Jackson. I I always was moving. and I and I had a fascination and love. with with rhythm. So, I feel like you. know, even in even in sports, you know, you got to have rhythm.

Right. So, So, that just was like. natural to me. It came natural. I feel. like it's from the soul. Yeah. So, I I. feel like even even dancing now, like I. can learn technical stuff. I can learn. stuff, but I I I like to just I like. when people to see it to be like, "Mhm, that feel good. He He having fun doing. it." Yeah, but you do realize the stuff. a lot of the stuff you do they can't do, right? Like, you know what I mean? You. like the only one that can do that. Somebody got to do it. Yeah, but like I. mean I mean, I like to see YOU DANCE. LIKE YOU DO. OKAY, YOU MOONWALK. OKAY, break that. I mean, you do a little. break dancing, but a lot of the stuff. that you be doing, Chris, like, man,

people going to break their neck. Yeah, yeah. I would I wouldn't advise people. to try some of the stuff I do. That's. why it's good to just see it at the. show. Kids, y'all can have fun. Y'all a. little bit more flexible. But, at the. same time, like, I just I'm thankful to. be able to still have these knees to be. to be working like this. And and I don't. get up like, "Man, I'm tired. I got to. go dance." I love it. Right. So, so as. long as I I'm able and God blesses me to. be able to dance and and showcase this. talent and hopefully inspire the world, I'mma keep doing it. Why don't you think.

other artists have. adopted your approach to become. performers? I mean, sometimes you see. performers or you see like singers. I. mean, there's nothing wrong. I mean, but. I look at you as an entertainer. I look. at Beyoncé as an entertainer. But, there. are singers. Adele is a singer. Yeah. I feel like She got a She got a mermaid. dress on. She Hey, she on that mic. I. saw her saw the observatory. Unbelievable. But, I saw Beyoncé and I'm. like. how she do that for 2 hours? I watch.

you, I'm like, how he do that for 2. hours? I think I think cuz you know different I. think it's different stars, man. It's. different stars in the sky. So, I kind. of I kind of my take on it is everybody. has. their thing, right? You know, I feel. like. in our in our genre. it's it's a it's like a old art, but it. you know, because you got to really. do your research or you got to really, you know, want it. And I think Beyoncé, I got to always give her her credit. She. wants it. She has always wanted it. You. know what I'm saying? So, she is it, you.

know? I feel like with me, I've always. I've always wanted it. I always wanted. to leave a legacy of of of of being one. of the baddest, you know? I don't got to. be the baddest, but I'mma be one of. You. know? What did it make you feel like when. other artists come up to you and say, "Bro, that was an unbelievable performance.". I I'm still in shock. Like I I I have a. impostor syndrome. I I wake up to this day and be like, "Am I Am I How did I get here?" Like so,

when people even acknowledge it, I'm. more I'm more receptive and and. appreciative. I'm I'm kind of like, "For. real? Okay, cool. They like my stuff.". I'm still fans of of other artists. So, it's like so, it's still me being like, "Okay, they really love what I'm doing.". Right. I'mma keep doing it. All right. When you first started out, you used to. open up for Beyoncé. Yeah. You like, you know what. I'mma try to swipe some of her fame. I'mma have I want some of her fame. because I know what she's going to do. after me. I need to make sure I do something.

before so them people talk about, "Yeah, Beyoncé was great, but you should have. saw Chris Brown. Chris Brown was. unbelievable.". Yeah. Yeah, I I I was a student. Uh. being on there, I was with Destiny's. Child. I think I was like 16 or 17. I. opened up for them in Australia. And for for that, that was just a. blessing because to be able to go from. me having a little TV and me watching. these people performing and being able. to see them and they like, "Hi." They. know my name. I'm like, "Oh my god, they said hi to me.". Watching them perform from stage.

presence, lighting, production, dancers, timing. Right. I learned so much from. all of those experiences and I and I. soaked it up and I said, "Well, I don't. want to copy anybody." Right. But, okay, well, if I could do that, I'll do it. like this. So, I was able to digest and. and and and learn from from all those. experiences. So, it was it was actually. a uh. a a a blessing. It was a blessing. I had Dru Ski on my show and he said he. went on tour with you. Yeah. He he said. it's unbelievable the amount of.

distractions that's going on, like girls. just running everywhere, but you're laser focused on what you. need to do. Yeah. Cuz cuz cuz I I look. at it like. these people spending money to come see. me. Like even to this day, like you're. spending a ticket or whatever for your. family. You're coming through with your. It's kids there. It's grown people. there. It's all ages. But, the one thing. I need them to do is is leave happy. I. need them to leave Not not for my. pockets, you know? They need to leave. happy for my soul. Right. Like this this ability that I'm able to.

have or this this talent that I'm I'm. born with, I I want to express it with. love. The frequency I want to give out. is love. So, Right. like that's what. gets me going. When they When they get. come in there, I'm excited. I'm I'm more. nervous than than they is. Right. So, but I but I'mma make sure that they. going to go leave and be like, "You know. what? I got my money's worth." Man, I. read that you This guy broke up with his. girl. You called his girl up on stage. and gave the lady a lap gave the young. lady a lap dance. And and he broke up. with her. Bro, how you do that? Man,

see, it wasn't intentional. What do you think would go happen? See, I didn't know she had a had a had a had. a guy. That's her fault, cuz she know. she had a guy. She should have said it. There it is. She She definitely should have said it. Mhm. My my dancers pull up a girl on. stage during our set and we Usually we. just we we usually like to give the fans. an opportunity, but sometimes there's. very very very attractive women come on. stage, so I'm like. okay, cool. So, me grinding on them, they don't really have a problem with. it. It's just.

I guess she had a man there. Right. So, but I didn't know. I didn't. find out till after it was I was like, man, we should have just. do we send him flowers or send her. flowers? Nah, she should have stopped this before. that. She should have said, nah. Yeah, what you should have been you know. what I'm No, no, no, no, no. Yeah, yeah. Cuz the lady see if if if I'm out with a. young lady, it's not my job to check the. guy. It's her job. She should have been like, no, you know. what? I. can't come up I'm with someone. Right. And if a lady check on me if. We're not going to be like, if forget. him. There you go. We'll be like, okay, great. Right. And you'd have been okay.

But now you'd have been like, come on, come. He don't he don't want mine. But I'm surprised First of all, I. commend him for going. Yeah. I mean, cuz. not a whole lot of guys are going with. their girls. Yeah. They they might go, but. Some of them go. They might be in the. back. They might. They might be a little bit further back. Like, nah, you ain't getting front row. Right. Uh-uh, he not going to look at. you at all. Let's talk about I'm looking at the. Grammys. Yeah. And you have one. Mhm. But reading you and researching this,

you feel you should have more. Yes. I feel like a lot of artists feel. like they should have more. Uh but I you. know, I feel like I don't want to dis. discredit the Grammys or or diss them as. or feel like the angry artists when it. comes to that. I feel like it's. You won't be the first, you won't be the. last. Yeah, I know. I feel like it's just I. feel like music at a state right now is. is not based on what people love. Right. I feel like well, with the Grammys, no. disrespect to y'all, but I I just feel. like there's a lot of old ears over. there. Right. A lot of old ears. There's a lot of.

people that's that's not really tuned. into what's going on. So, and and there and you know, it's. just it's a broad range of artists that. I that I can think of now that that. deserve. more Grammys and and more recognition. But you know, I I feel like at this. point in my in my career in my life, I'm. like, "You know what? I I have one, right? That's good enough. You know, for me, I. feel like He lonely though. He could be. lonely. But But I He could be lonely. I'd rather my my what. what I get what I get my joy from is.

filling them stands up. Like I I could. care less about getting on the stage. Well, I would love to get on the stage. at a Grammys or any awards. I don't have. a problem with it. But it it doesn't. fill my heart more than it does to see. twice as many people. in a in a in a in a arena. Or I go over. and I sell out six nights like that. That's priceless to me. So So I feel. like I've I've just started loving what. I love the most about what I do. Just. the music and the passion and just. focused on that. You caught some flak because you you.

wrote Robert Glasper. You said, "Who Who. is this cat?" And I I mean, he was did a. the single the song with Meshell. Ndegeocello, who's my favorite all-time. artist and a her. Yeah. Great song. And you you know, you said, "No. disrespect." You took it back. Tell me what your mindset was. Okay, you're sitting at home. Um. Impulse. So, that's what Hold up. Who the homeboy. that's Hey, give me that. Cuz you about. to do something You about to do. something right. Give me that. Yeah. And. put it in his back pocket. Yeah, they.

they probably was maybe. 15 seconds too late. But at the time, I. think But at the time because me, I was. misinformed. So, even even when I had to. I had to do my research and be like, "You know what? This This guy is. talented.". You know? And I reached out to him. I. said, "Look, I said, "Look, I don't want. you to think that I I have ill ill will. towards you or anything.". He said, "Word." Yeah. Yeah, he he. legit. Yeah. So So he reached back out to me. So yeah, we're going to we're going to. get in the studio and work. But that. that was me. That's you know, uh being a. sourpuss, you know?

Are you disappointed that the award. shows, given your background, given what. you've done, given how you packed. arenas, given how the the numbers speak. more than Elvis and and a billion this. and that. Yeah. that they haven't allowed you to. perform? Um. You're a performer. Yeah, at times. You want to you want to perform in front. of your peers. I want to showcase what I what I'm. really capable of all at all times. But. I've taken I've taken my position to say.

I'm not stopping. Right. You know, so it'll happen. Right. It'll happen, you know, it it. it'll happen. Do you remember the last. award show you performed at? I think my. last award show might have been BET. My last award show might have been BET. Awards. Yeah. Yeah. Kelly Rowland supported you. Yeah. She got some criticism. Yeah. Love you, Kelly. I mean What's I mean uh uh Lizzo Yeah. say you're her favorite, criticism. Ed. Sheeran, some others have.

come to your like, the man is. unbelievable, and they caught criticism. What is it with this cancel culture? I. think it's. I don't think it's even a cancel. culture. I think cuz my my fans and and. the people who are who do love me, like. they kind of overshadow it. You know, I'm still here, you know, but I feel. like uh. I just feel like people are sensitive as. hell today, man. Like we don't get we. don't get to really shoot the or we. don't get to say what we really want to. say a lot of times. A lot of things is. is contrived and conform. You don't get. to be yourself because you can't have an.

an open expression and freedom freedom. to say anything. Right. You know, you don't have to dis. discredit anybody or or or uh. cut anybody out or say anything rude. about anybody, but I feel like. everybody's too damn sensitive at this. point. Like. Right. But you've mentioned some of the. people that that's in this business. Yeah. that have had some transgressions. Yeah. that have been forgiven and gone. on to and it hasn't stopped you from. making money, Yeah. but it those people were able to go. back, be on stage, be in movies, and do.

all these other things. It's on smile. And I think I think it's I think it's. because I think people think I have a. careless outlook on it. And it's not. that I have a careless outlook. I don't. care to make you believe that I'm a I'm. a great person. Right. I'm just going to be one. Right. So I. feel like with that, you know, I I I. mean I'm I'm and I don't take no. nonsense, man. I'm like I'm a I'm a. humble guy and I'll be cool, but I. really don't I really don't take no. nonsense. I I try to stay in my lane, get out the way, don't bother nobody,

but I'm not going to take no nonsense. If you were to get back if if they. called and said, "Chris, this year's. Grammys, Mhm. we want you to perform.". Yeah. You there? Of course. I'll do it. No ill will. It wouldn't be ill will. because because it would be about the. performance. I would want I would I. would want to get that to my fans. It wouldn't be It wouldn't be. necessarily about the Grammys. It would. be about me putting on the best. performance. see Chris at an award show. Yeah. And just And just And just going.

out there and doing my thing. it. Yeah, man. You This This might be the. greatest This might be the greatest. stage performance. anybody's ever seen. Well, I'm going to. try to make it that every time. Every. time. Anytime that opportunity gives. like gives itself that opportunity. Even. on my on my When you come to my shows, Yeah. I I want to make it like you're. you're watching it on an award show. I. want It needs to be theater. It needs to. be It needs to be fun. You try to leave. the You try to the fan You want the fan.

to leave. saying, "I've never seen anybody do that. before.". Yeah. Yeah, every absolutely. I want to do. that every time. And and just like I. said, give them that joy and give them. that uh. that it factor. I'm trying to I'm trying. to be the the greatest to do it while I. still can do it. When they say R&B is. dead, Chris Brown says what? It's not It's not just hip hop is is. more prevalent. I would just say hip-hop. is has has been. influential.

over the over the whole world. But, I. feel like R&B. R&B has has its place. And there's a lot of There's a lot of. R&B artists out cuz I don't want to. discredit it. It's a lot of great R&B. female-wise and male-wise. I just feel. like we just have to have platforms. I. feel like we need bigger platforms to. show music videos. I think we need Not. just for R&B, just for music period. Like, we used to have 106 & Park. You. know, we used to have have outlets to. where people would be engaged and have. to see you at a certain time and have to.

be invested in your music and certain. things like that. There's other avenues. like that on the internet, but. Perry did by just be just by BET, so. maybe he'll he'll bring one of the. Yeah, man. Yeah, let us let us start showcasing new. artists, new talent, so people can And. so everybody doesn't have to go find an. artist like Like, let these talented. artists be broadcasted. Like, let them. let them let them rock. I feel like it's. it's it's needed. I feel like I I I go. through flip through my channels unless. I have to type in the name of the. artist. It's cool, but. I I would I would like to be presented.

with with artists like, "Oh man, that's. that's tight. Who is that guy?" How do. we get R&B Will R&B ever be what it once. was? Cuz I was talking to Timberland I. thought I thought it was Timberland and. he says, "I don't think it to be at the. height it once was." The uh It depends. It cuz because everything shifts. There's always a shift in in music. Uh. so I So, it just depends on the right. artist. It depends on the right the. right uh timing, the season, what the. world is what the state of the world is, what what people are going through like. you know, music music, especially R&B,

come from pain, a lot of pain. There's a. lot of pain going on in the world, but. I think we trying I think right there. everybody's trying to kind of like. negate that or try to be like, "You know. what? Hey, I just want to feel better.". Or I want to talk about substances and. records and whatever crazy stuff it is, but. I think I think I think it has I It's. It's It's going to be time for it. What's your thought on AI? You like it? It's Oh, uh yeah, I'm kind of. I'm kind of I'm kind of uh. I'm 50/50.

Because the capabilities of the sign-. scientific uh. community I I. I love it. You know they can make me sound like. Chris Brown. That's crazy. And then they. won't need the real Chris Brown. See, I. I I said this this this is what I said. If I heard a when I hear when I hear the. AI version of Chris Brown and it's just. a complete song and it's a great song, I'm going to figure out. if we're going to license our our voices. out because I know I'm not going to be. the one to. and it's just a complete song and it's a. great song. Right. I'm going to figure out. if we're going to license our our voices. out right because I know I'm not going. to be the one to do it, but there's.

going to be an artist that's that's I'm. like, "No, that's me. That's me." Right. And they're going to just and they're. going to they're going to benefit from. it, but I'm 50/50. I feel like it it it. takes away a lot of the uh. the mystery or the artistry that makes. you a beautiful artist if you can just. have have have a computer do that for. you. Yeah, it's crazy, but I feel like. I'm I'm still a I'm I'm in this. technological world, too, so I'm. fascinated with it as well, you know. I'm going to get you out of here on. these two right here. You're a very good businessman. Reported.

that you own 14 Burger Kings. How were you able to become so business. savvy at such a young age? My team. My team. I. I've been able to have have a great team. that you know, I've been through my ups. and downs like I fell a lot financially. in the beginning just you know, uh. You're going to make mistakes. Yeah, you know, I but now it's it's. about it's about just trying to I want. to I want to create stuff that's going. to create stuff. You know, I I want to. be able to have stuff that's going to be. here for everybody for longevity. So and.

it doesn't necessarily have to be titled. around uh my actual name or brand. I. just I just want to be able to to to. have a legacy for my for my family. outside of music. Great. You know, I I want to I want to. be wealthy instead of rich. You know? Uh. okay. Your catalog, that seems to be a big You. own your masters. Yeah. And you were one. of the youngest to ever do that at the. age of 29. Would you ever I mean a lot of you see a. lot of artists selling their catalog. Is. that something Chris Brown would look to.

do in the future? Um. I don't know. It depends. It depends on. I would I I don't think I would sell. them. I think I might I might do deals. lease them out and stuff like that. later, but I don't think I I don't think. I would because I feel like uh. as as a black artist, that's that's what. we've been wanting forever. Would it be. able to get that? Get our masters. So so for me to be able. to do that like and be one of the first. young cats to do it. like it's like oh my I beat the game, but I feel like I feel like I wouldn't I.

wouldn't do it at this point because. that's that's something my my children's. children's children can eat off, you. know? So I think I'm a yeah. Tell me the. story about Jacquees. Jacquees said he came to LA he he stayed. he lived at the crib with me. Yeah, so so so Jac who he's he's been. around me since he was teenager, braces, everything. Uh I I seen Jacquees's. videos through a through mutual friends. that we knew. Okay. And I knew that he. was a fan of me. So and I'm not I'm not. a I'm not a If I see talent and I see.

and I see the same spunk that I had in. my eye Right. then I was like, you know. what? This this kid is really really. talented. So I he came to LA for like a. week. He was staying He was staying at a. at a hotel. I was like, bro, why you. wasting your money at a hotel? Wow. The. people we both know, they they at my. crib. We chilling. You good, bro. Ain't. no It's It's no no parents at the house. going to tell you what to do. You come. to the house. But so I just showed him. the ropes. Like he was around He was. around and he was able to He was able to. learn from me in the studio as well. Like Like so I would be in the studio.

with him and just teach him stuff. He. would ask. He'd be like, big bro, what's. this? Oh, is this cool to do? Is this not cool. to do? And I would just I would just. tell him, "Hey, bro, don't don't do. this. Don't do what they doing. That's. That's fraud, you know?" So a lot of the. things with Jacquees is is real family. So, when I see him do his thing and. where he's at now, I'm I'm proud of him, man, cuz cuz I I saw the grind before. before everybody else saw it, you know? I had Timberland. I'mma get you out of. here on this one. He said he got some. great advice from you. He said uh.

you called him and said, "Bro, don't do. any more interviews high." You remember. that conversation? Yeah, cuz me cuz you know, Tim Tim is. Tim is is is Is family? Y'all from the. same area? The Virginia area? So, I learned so much from him, but I. remember it you know, I love I love. weed. So, so we used to smoke a lot of. time. And then I just remember seeing. him and I said, "Hey, man, don't do that. no more. Don't do that. Nah, we can't do. it. Nah, it's not it's not a good it's. not a good look. It's not a good look.". You got a new sing- single The new. single is out, "Summer Too Uh Too Hot.".

Yeah. Never So Out Never Solo Album is. on the way. Yeah. What can your fans. What can we expect from Chris Brown on. this album? Less songs. Less songs? Yes. Only Only saying that to my fans though, I mean, cuz I'm used to putting I think. my last album had like. 30 something songs on it. The one before that had like 56. Like so, it's it's a lot. Can we Can we get like 12, 13? Yeah, it's. The album's The album's going to be. called "11:11." All right, it's my 11th. album and it's only going to have 11.

songs. Right. Okay. But so, but "11:11" is. It'll be released in November? Nah, we. trying to figure it out. Possibly, but we're trying to figure it out, man. Right as of now, I'm I'm still in the. studio. We got a lot of good records. that I've been cutting. I and then the. new song I just put out I just put that. out basically to to just have something. for the summer. Have people having. feeling good again. Cuz I know it's. about to start getting hot hot out here. So, let's just have fun. I'm I'm going. to you know, the video's coming. We. about to dance. I'm about to dance, man.

About to dance again on them. Congratulations on all your success. I. know y'all Thank you for performing at. Drai's on the 29th after the fight. You going to be at the fight? I'mma be at the fight. Oh yeah, I'll be. there too. So yeah, we got to link up, man. Thank you, brother. Congratulations on. all your success. Continue your success. God bless, brother. Thank you, brother. Chris Brown.