Discover the defining moments in the early life of Chris Brown. From birth to education, explore key events.
Christopher Maurice Brown is an American singer, songwriter, rapper, dancer, and actor, often dubbed the "King of R&B." His music, which blends pop, hip hop, and R&B, explores emotional and hedonistic themes. Brown's talent has drawn comparisons to Michael Jackson, particularly regarding his singing and dancing abilities.
May 5, 1989: Christopher Maurice Brown Born
On May 5, 1989, Christopher Maurice Brown, who would become a singer, songwriter, rapper, dancer, and actor, was born.
Share
2004: Moved to New York to pursue music career
Chris Brown attended Essex High School in Virginia until late 2004, when he moved to New York to pursue his music career.
Share
2004: Dropped out of Essex High School
In late 2004, Chris Brown dropped out of Essex High School in Virginia to pursue a music career.
Share
2005: Dropped out of Essex High School
In early 2005, Chris Brown dropped out of Essex High School in Virginia to pursue a music career.
Share
July 9, 2007: Featured on MTV's My Super Sweet 16
On July 9, 2007, Chris Brown was featured in an episode of MTV's 'My Super Sweet 16', which was retitled 'Chris Brown: My Super 18', celebrating his eighteenth birthday.
Share
November 2007: Video Host for St. Jude's Math-A-Thon
In November 2007, Chris Brown supported St. Jude Children's Research Hospital's Math-A-Thon program as a video host, encouraging students to use math skills to help children with cancer.
Share
June 22, 2009: Guilty plea to felony assault
On June 22, 2009, Chris Brown pleaded guilty to felony assault against Rihanna, accepting a plea deal that included community labor, five years of probation, and domestic violence counseling.
Share
2009: Writing about things 16 year olds go through
In 2009, Chris Brown said, "I write about the things that 16 year olds go through every day."
Share
February 2011: Restraining order modified
In February 2011, at the request of lawyers, Judge Patricia Schnegg modified the restraining order to a "level one order", allowing both singers to appear at awards shows together in the future.
Share
June 14, 2012: Scuffle with Drake at nightclub
On June 14, 2012, Chris Brown was involved in a scuffle with Drake and his entourage at a New York City nightclub, resulting in injuries to several people, including Tony Parker.
Share
September 25, 2012: Court appearance for potential probation violation
On September 25, 2012, Chris Brown appeared in court after testing positive for cannabis while conducting his community service in Virginia, with his hearing date changed to November to determine if he violated his court order.
Share
November 2012: Symphonic Love Foundation launched
In November 2012, Chris Brown launched a nonprofit charity organization called the "Symphonic Love Foundation" to financially support arts programs for kids and to support a number of health and education programs and nonprofits.
Share
January 2013: Altercation with Frank Ocean
In January 2013, Chris Brown was involved in an altercation with Frank Ocean over a parking space outside a recording studio in West Hollywood, with police investigating Brown for battery.
Share
February 15, 2013: Unofficial Release of "Home"
On February 15, 2013, Chris Brown unofficially released the song "Home", expressing reflections on fame and returning to his roots.
Share
July 2013: Probation revoked after alleged hit and run
In July 2013, Chris Brown's probation was revoked following an alleged hit and run incident in Los Angeles.
Share
August 9, 2013: Suffered a seizure
On August 9, 2013, Chris Brown reportedly suffered a seizure at Record Plant Studios in Hollywood, California, prompting a 9-1-1 call. He refused treatment and transport to a hospital.
Share
August 2013: Scheduled reappearance in court
In August 2013, Chris Brown was scheduled to reappear in court to determine if he would serve time in prison following the revocation of his probation.
Share
October 2013: Arrest for felony assault in Washington D.C.
In October 2013, Chris Brown was arrested for felony assault in Washington, D.C., after an incident where he punched a man who wanted to take a picture with him, breaking the man's nose.
Share
October 30, 2013: Voluntarily enters rehab
On October 30, 2013, Chris Brown voluntarily entered rehab.
Share
November 20, 2013: Sentenced to anger management rehabilitation center
On November 20, 2013, Chris Brown was sentenced to a three-month anger management rehabilitation center, which jeopardized the December 2013 release of his album X.
Share
2013: Personal Experiences Reflected in Music
In 2013, Chris Brown stated in an interview with Rolling Stone that his songs are derived from personal experiences mixed with art.
Share
2013: Sentenced to Rehab and Diagnosed with Mental Health Disorders
In 2013, Chris Brown was sentenced to 90 days in rehab and was formally diagnosed with bipolar II disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Share
2013: Past drug usage before incarceration
In 2013, prior to Chris Brown's incarceration, he used "the syrup, the Xanax," admitting that marijuana offset his hyperactive tendencies, but "once I started doing the lean, the other stuff … I'd be sitting in the [recording] booth sleeping."
Share
2013: Jive convinced Chris Brown to stick to singing
In a 2013 interview, Chris Brown stated, that during his permanence in Harlem, his artistic intention was to both rap and sing on his records, but Jive convinced him to stick to just singing.
Share
March 14, 2014: Kicked out of rehab
On March 14, 2014, Chris Brown was kicked out of the rehab facility and sent to Northern Neck Regional Jail for violating internal rules.
Share
April 23, 2014: Release denied
On April 23, 2014, Chris Brown was expected to be released, but a judge denied his release request from custody either on bail or his own recognizance.
Share
May 9, 2014: Sentenced to jail
On May 9, 2014, Chris Brown was ordered to serve 131 days in jail for his probation violation, further delaying the release of his album.
Share
June 2, 2014: Release from Jail
After being released from jail on June 2, 2014, Chris Brown wrote that he was "Humbled and Blessed" and tweeted the words "Thank you GOD."
Share
2014: Admission of drug use
In 2014, Chris Brown revealed in an interview that prior to his 2013 incarceration, he used "the syrup, the Xanax," admitting that marijuana offset his hyperactive tendencies, but "once I started doing the lean, the other stuff … I'd be sitting in the [recording] booth sleeping."
Share
March 20, 2015: Probation ends
On March 20, 2015, Chris Brown's probation officially ended, closing the felony case from the 2009 assault on Rihanna.
Share
April 2015: Sobriety relapse
In April 2015, Chris Brown broke a 15-month period of sobriety, allegedly using Xanax and lean and spiraling into more frequent drug use.
Share
2015: Work on The Grammy Museum walls
In 2015, Chris Brown worked on some of the walls of The Grammy Museum, mixing his spray paint drawings with images of James Brown, Prince, Michael Jackson and himself.
Share
2015: God is the only thing he is afraid of.
In 2015, during an interview for Vibe, Chris Brown said that God is the only thing that he is afraid of, that he prays everyday, and prays for knowledge, understanding, and peace of mind.
Share
June 2016: Assault lawsuit by former manager
In June 2016, Chris Brown was sued by his former manager, Mike G, for assault, false imprisonment, and battery, alleging an incident on May 10 where Brown assaulted him.
Share
August 30, 2016: Police standoff at Brown's house
On August 30, 2016, Chris Brown was involved in a standoff with the LAPD after a woman accused him of threatening her with a gun, leading to his arrest and subsequent release on bail.
Share
September 1, 2016: Lawyer states no corroborating evidence
On September 1, 2016, Chris Brown's lawyer, Mark Geragos, stated that there was no standoff and that, with regard to the LAPD search, "nothing was found to corroborate her statement."
Share
2016: Increased drug use
In 2016, Chris Brown spiraled into a more frequent drug use, following the relapse from the previous year.
Share
2017: Billboard article on mental health
In 2017, Billboard published an investigative article about Chris Brown's mental health issues and addiction, revealing details from ex-members of his team about his drug use, including cocaine, Xanax, marijuana, molly and lean.
Share
2017: Release of Self-Documentary Film, Welcome to My Life
In 2017, Chris Brown released a self-documentary film, 'Welcome to My Life', where he discussed his difficult childhood experiences, including domestic violence.
Share
2017: Karrueche Tran granted restraining order
In 2017, Chris Brown's ex-girlfriend Karrueche Tran was granted a 5-year restraining order against him after she presented evidence of threats and demands made by Brown.
Share
2019: Lawsuit settled out of court
In 2019, Chris Brown's assault lawsuit with former manager Mike G was settled out of court, with both parties reconciling their differences and reaching a confidential deal.
Share
December 2020: Alleged rape on a yacht in Miami
In December 2020, Chris Brown allegedly raped a woman on a yacht in Miami, which led to a lawsuit being filed in January 2022.
Share
2020: Mural in Memory of Kobe Bryant
In 2020, Chris Brown painted a mural in memory of Kobe Bryant, including Kobe's face, a mamba, and pictures of Kobe dribbling and dunking a basketball.
Share
January 2022: $20 million civil lawsuit filed
In January 2022, Chris Brown was named in a $20 million civil lawsuit alleging he raped a woman on a yacht in Miami in December 2020.
Share
August 2022: Rape lawsuit dismissed
In August 2022, the judge dismissed the lawsuit filed against Chris Brown due to lack of prosecution by the plaintiff.
Share
2022: Prince Phone Call Reveal
In 2022, Brown revealed that he received a phone call from Prince while on the way to counseling. Prince advised him to "don't lose focus".
Share
2023: Chris Brown Interview with Shannon Sharpe
During a 2023 interview with Shannon Sharpe, Chris Brown said that he started to consider music as his job after winning a talent show during a summer camp when he was 11 years old.
Share
2023: Working on first album was a "learning experience"
In 2023, Brown described working on his first album as a "learning experience", recalling that he felt "insecure" about releasing "Run It!" as his first single.
Share