Growing up idolizing Michael Jackson, Chris Brown followed in his hero’s footsteps by emerging as a young sensation who could sing and dance beyond his years. His 2005 self-titled debut album put the 16-year-old Breezy on the map and since then, he’s solidified himself as one of R&B’s biggest stars of the 21st century. Despite ugly moments in his personal life, most notably physically assaulting his ex-girlfriend Rihanna, Chris Brown’s flame has refused to be extinguished. Case in point: winning the Grammy for Best R&B Album (F.A.M.E.) in 2012. He’s currently gearing up to release his 10th studio album.
PROPS
Sold over 140M albums worldwide, making him one of the best-selling artists of all time
8x platinum/multi-platinum albums
3x No. 1 albums
2x No. 1 singles
37x platinum/multi-platinum singles
Won the Grammy for Best R&B Album (F.A.M.E.) in 2012
Won 18 BET Awards + 4 BET Hip Hop Awards
Founded his label CBE in 2007 in partnership with Interscope + signed Kevin McCall and Sevyn Streeter
Appeared in five movies including Stomp the Yard, Takers and Think Like a Man
In February 2021, Chris Brown said he is “single with a girlfriend.” In the past, the singer has been romantically involved with Rihanna, Karrueche Tran, Nia Guzman, Ammika Harris and Gina Huynh.
Chris Brown and Rihanna dated from 2008 until 2009 when Chris was arrested for physically assaulting her. The couple rekindled their romance in 2012 after Rihanna forgave Chris, before calling it quits for good in 2013.
Chris Brown gained mainstream popularity in 2005 at the age of 16 with the release of his self-titled debut album, which peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard 200. It included hit singles such as “Yo (Excuse Me Miss),” “Gimme That,” “Say Goodbye” and the chart-topping “Run It!,” which made Chris the first male artist since 1995 to top the Billboard Hot 100 with his debut single.
Chris Brown’s “Breezy” nickname stems from his surname, Brown. Although Chris hasn’t explained the origin of the nickname, it’s perhaps inspired by Kanye West’s “Yeezy” and Lil Wayne’s “Weezy” nicknames. In 2020, Chris announced that his forthcoming 10th album will be titled Breezy.
Chris Brown
Real name: Christopher Maurice Brown
Aliases: Breezy, CB
x
Subscribe To DX Newsletter
Get the most important stories in Hip Hop straight to your inbox
To complete the subscription process, please check the email we just sent you.