History of Chris Brown in Timeline
Chris Brown is a highly successful American singer, songwriter, rapper, dancer, and actor. Known for his blend of hip-hop and pop-influenced R&B, and versatile genre exploration, he's been dubbed the 'King of R&B' by some. His music often delves into emotional and hedonistic themes. Brown is frequently lauded for his vocal and dance prowess, drawing comparisons to Michael Jackson.
May 5, 1989: Christopher Maurice Brown's Birth
On May 5, 1989, Christopher Maurice Brown, who is known as Chris Brown, was born. He later became an American singer, songwriter, rapper, dancer, and actor.
1992: Records on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay
Since the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart was first established in 1992, Chris Brown holds the record for the two longest running #1 hits on the chart.
1995: "Run It!" tops Billboard Hot 100
Chris Brown's debut single, "Run It!", topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart, making him the first male artist since 1995 to achieve this with a debut single.
1995: "Run It!" Reaches Number One
In 1995, Chris Brown became the first male act since Montell Jordan to have his debut single, "Run It!", reach the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
1997: Release of "Tight Up Skirt"
In 1997, UK-based music firm Greensleeves released the dancehall track "Tight Up Skirt", recorded by Red Rat, which would later be the basis for a copyright infringement lawsuit against Chris Brown's song "Privacy".
2004: Attended Essex High School and Moved to New York
In 2004, Chris Brown attended Essex High School in Virginia until late in the year, when he moved to New York to pursue his music career.
2004: Signing with Jive Records
In 2004, Chris Brown signed with Jive Records before starting to record his debut studio album.
2004: Dropped out of Essex High School
In late 2004, Chris Brown, at age 16, dropped out of Essex High School in Virginia to relocate and pursue a music career.
February 2005: Started recording debut album
In February 2005, Chris Brown began recording his self-titled debut studio album after signing with Jive Records.
November 29, 2005: Chris Brown Album Release
On November 29, 2005, Chris Brown's self-titled debut album was released, debuting at number two on the Billboard 200 and selling 154,000 copies in its first week.
2005: Success After Run It!
In 2005, after Run It! reached number one, Chris Brown released other singles that received great success.
2005: Dropped out of Essex High School
In early 2005, Chris Brown, at age 16, dropped out of Essex High School in Virginia to relocate and pursue a music career.
June 13, 2006: Chris Brown's Journey DVD Release
On June 13, 2006, Chris Brown released a DVD titled Chris Brown's Journey, which featured footage of him traveling through England and Japan, preparing for the Grammy Awards, and behind-the-scenes content from his music videos.
August 17, 2006: The Up Close and Personal Tour Began
On August 17, 2006, Chris Brown began his major co-headlining tour, The Up Close and Personal Tour, to promote his album.
2006: "Thriller" Recreation at the 2006 World Music Awards
In 2006, Chris Brown performed a notable "Thriller" recreation at the World Music Awards, highlighting his dancing abilities.
January 12, 2007: Film Debut in Stomp the Yard
On January 12, 2007, Chris Brown made his film debut in Stomp the Yard, alongside Ne-Yo, Meagan Good, and Columbus Short.
January 2007: Small Role on The O.C.
In January 2007, Chris Brown landed a small role as a band geek in the fourth season of the American television series The O.C..
April 2007: Opening Act for Beyoncé
In April 2007, Chris Brown was the opening act for Beyoncé on the Australian leg of her The Beyoncé Experience tour.
July 9, 2007: MTV's My Super Sweet 16 Appearance
On July 9, 2007, Chris Brown was featured in an episode of MTV's My Super Sweet 16 (retitled: Chris Brown: My Super 18) celebrating his eighteenth birthday in New York City.
November 6, 2007: Exclusive Album Release
On November 6, 2007, Chris Brown's second studio album, Exclusive, was released in the US, debuting at number four on the US Billboard 200 chart and selling 294,000 copies in its first week.
November 2007: Video Host for Math-A-Thon program
In November 2007, Chris Brown starred as a video host for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital's Math-A-Thon program, encouraging students to use their math skills to help children with cancer and other diseases.
November 21, 2007: Appearance in "This Christmas"
On November 21, 2007, Chris Brown appeared in a leading role in the family drama "This Christmas", starring Regina King. He also contributed cover versions of "Try a Little Tenderness" and "This Christmas" to the movie's soundtrack.
December 6, 2007: The Exclusive Holiday Tour begins
On December 6, 2007, Chris Brown's "The Exclusive Holiday Tour" began in Cincinnati, Ohio, to support his album "Exclusive".
2007: Brown's Relationship with Rihanna Begins
In 2007, Chris Brown began dating singer Rihanna, starting a high profile relationship that would last until 2009.
2007: Founded CBE Record Label
In 2007, Chris Brown founded the record label CBE (Chris Brown Entertainment or Culture Beyond Evolution) under Interscope Records.
2007: Feature Film Debut in Stomp the Yard
In 2007, Chris Brown made his feature film debut in Stomp the Yard and appeared as a guest on the television series The O.C., demonstrating his growing presence in the entertainment industry.
2007: Acting Debut
In 2007, Chris Brown made his on-screen feature film debut as a supporting role in the dance drama 'Stomp the Yard' and took a leading role in the Christmas comedy film 'This Christmas'. He also portrayed Will Tutt in three episodes on the Fox television series The O.C. and guest starred as himself on the children's program Sesame Street.
2007: Exclusive album release
In 2007, Chris Brown's second album, Exclusive, was released. It was commercially successful worldwide and spawned his second Billboard Hot 100 number-one single, "Kiss Kiss".
February 9, 2008: The Exclusive Holiday Tour ends
On February 9, 2008, Chris Brown's "The Exclusive Holiday Tour" concluded in Honolulu, Hawaii. The tour, which began on December 6, 2007, supported his album "Exclusive".
March 2008: Featured on Jordin Sparks' single "No Air"
In March 2008, Chris Brown was featured on Jordin Sparks' single "No Air", which achieved worldwide success and peaked at number three on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
June 3, 2008: Release of Exclusive: The Forever Edition
On June 3, 2008, Chris Brown's re-issued album, "Exclusive: The Forever Edition", was released seven months after the original version. The re-issue featured four new tracks and further boosted the album's success.
August 2008: Guest appearance on The Suite Life of Zack & Cody
In August 2008, Chris Brown made a guest appearance as himself on Disney's "The Suite Life of Zack & Cody".
2008: Guest Starred on The Suite Life of Zack & Cody
In 2008, Chris Brown guest starred as himself on the children's program The Suite Life of Zack & Cody.
February 8, 2009: Domestic violence scandal with Rihanna
On February 8, 2009, Chris Brown was involved in a domestic violence scandal with his then-girlfriend, Rihanna, leading to significant media backlash, loss of endorsements including Doublemint, and a brief ban of his songs by some music stations across the US.
June 22, 2009: Brown Pleads Guilty to Felony Assault
On June 22, 2009, Chris Brown pleaded guilty to felony assault against Rihanna and accepted a plea deal that included community labor, five years of probation, and domestic violence counseling.
September 29, 2009: Release of Graffiti's lead single "I Can Transform Ya"
On September 29, 2009, Chris Brown released "I Can Transform Ya", the lead single from his album "Graffiti". The song peaked at number 20 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
October 2009: Founded Mechanical Dummy Website
In October 2009, Chris Brown founded Mechanical Dummy, a lifestyle website to promote trends in technology, music, culture, fashion, and style, serving as its creative director.
November 23, 2009: Release of "Crawl"
On November 23, 2009, Chris Brown released "Crawl" as the second single from his album, Graffiti. The song reached number 53 on the Billboard Hot 100.
December 8, 2009: Release of Graffiti Album
On December 8, 2009, Chris Brown released his album Graffiti, taking full artistic control, writing every song except "I'll Go".
2009: Wrote about Teenage Life
In 2009, Chris Brown mentioned he wrote about the experiences of 16-year-olds, like sneaking a girl into the house or stealing a car, reflecting his youth during the album's creation.
2009: Arrest and Album Release
In 2009, Chris Brown was arrested for felony assault of Rihanna and pleaded guilty. He was sentenced to five years probation with six months community service. In the same year, he released his third album, Graffiti, which was considered a commercial failure.
2009: Lowest Debut on the US Billboard 200 for a Chris Brown Solo Studio Album
In 2009, Chris Brown's album 'Graffiti' debuted at number seven on the US Billboard 200. At the time it was his lowest debut for a solo studio album on the chart.
2009: Brown's Relationship with Rihanna Ends
In 2009, Chris Brown's relationship with singer Rihanna ended due to their highly publicized domestic violence case.
2009: Grammy Nomination for Take You Down
In 2009, Chris Brown's song "Take You Down" earned him a Grammy award nomination for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance.
August 2010: Stars in Takers
In August 2010, Chris Brown starred alongside Matt Dillon, Paul Walker, Idris Elba, Hayden Christensen and T.I. in the crime thriller "Takers", also serving as executive producer of the film.
September 2010: Announces F.A.M.E. Album
In September 2010, Chris Brown announced his album, F.A.M.E. (Forgiving All My Enemies), and its first single, "Yeah 3x", a dance-pop song, which received significant international success.
2010: Releases three free mixtapes
During 2010, Chris Brown released three free mixtapes: "In My Zone (Rhythm & Streets)", "Fan of a Fan" (with Tyga), and "In My Zone 2", showcasing a new writing and musical style, mixing R&B with hip-hop, and collaborated with new producers like Kevin McCall.
2010: Acted in Takers
In 2010, Chris Brown acted in the heist thriller, 'Takers', which he also executive produced.
2010: Brown Dates Jasmine Sanders
In 2010, Chris Brown briefly dated professional model Jasmine Sanders.
February 2011: Restraining Order Modified
In February 2011, at the request of Brown's and Rihanna's lawyers, the judge modified the restraining order to a 'level one order', allowing both singers to appear at awards shows together in the future.
March 18, 2011: Release of F.A.M.E. Album
On March 18, 2011, Chris Brown's fourth studio album, F.A.M.E., was released, debuting at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart with first-week sales of 270,000 copies.
March 23, 2011: Graffiti sales in the US
As of March 23, 2011, Chris Brown's album, Graffiti, had sold 341,000 copies in the US.
October 7, 2011: RCA Music Group Disbands Jive Records
On October 7, 2011, RCA Music Group announced it was disbanding Jive Records, along with Arista Records and J Records, leading Chris Brown to release future material on the RCA Records brand.
2011: Brown Dates Draya Michele and Karrueche Tran
In 2011, Chris Brown briefly dated media personality Draya Michele. Later that year, Brown began dating Karrueche Tran.
2011: Guest Starred on Tosh.O
In 2011, Chris Brown guest starred as himself on the Comedy Central series Tosh.O.
2011: Medley at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards
In 2011, Chris Brown performed a medley at the MTV Video Music Awards, which included a choreography that featured flying parts, showcasing his dancing abilities and stage presence.
2011: Wins multiple BET and Hip Hop Awards
In 2011, Chris Brown received six nominations at the BET Awards, winning five, including Best Male R&B Artist and Video of the Year for "Look at Me Now". He also won three awards at the BET Hip Hop Awards, including the People's Champ Award and Best Hip Hop Video for "Look at Me Now".
2011: F.A.M.E. Album Release and Grammy Award
In 2011, Chris Brown released his fourth album, F.A.M.E., which topped the Billboard 200. The album included singles like "Yeah 3x", "Look at Me Now", and "Beautiful People", and it earned him the Grammy Award for Best R&B Album.
2011: "Look at Me Now" becomes best-selling rap song
In 2011, Chris Brown's single "Look at Me Now" featuring Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes, became the best-selling rap song of the year in the US and one of the best-selling singles of all time.
February 12, 2012: Wins first Grammy Award
On February 12, 2012, Chris Brown won his first Grammy Award for Best R&B Album for F.A.M.E.. He also performed at the ceremony, marking his first appearance since his felony assault conviction.
February 2012: Rihanna and Brown Release Remixes
In February 2012, Rihanna and Chris Brown released remixes to their singles "Turn Up the Music" and "Birthday Cake". This led observers to speculate about the status of their relationship.
May 2012: Partnered with Ron English for "Dum English" Line
In May 2012, Chris Brown partnered with artist Ron English to create a limited-edition toy and sculpture line called "Dum English", which they debuted at the Toy Art Gallery in Los Angeles.
June 14, 2012: Scuffle with Drake at Nightclub
On June 14, 2012, Drake and his entourage were involved in a scuffle with Chris Brown at a nightclub called WIP in the SoHo neighborhood of New York City. About eight people were injured during the brawl.
July 3, 2012: Release of Fortune Album
On July 3, 2012, Chris Brown released his fifth studio album, Fortune. The album debuted atop the Billboard 200 but received negative reviews from critics.
November 2012: Launched Symphonic Love Foundation
In November 2012, Chris Brown launched the Symphonic Love Foundation, a nonprofit charity supporting arts programs for kids, health and education programs, and education on domestic abuse, dating violence, HIV/AIDS, and leadership programs.
2012: Acted in Think Like a Man
In 2012, Chris Brown acted in the romantic comedy 'Think Like a Man'.
2012: Fortune Album Release
In 2012, Chris Brown released his fifth album, Fortune, which topped the Billboard 200 chart.
2012: Mike G Hired to Repair Public Image
In 2012, Mike G was hired to help Chris Brown repair his public image.
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. Police officers in Los Angeles said Brown was under investigation for battery, but Ocean said he would not press charges.
January 2013: Rihanna Confirms Relationship Resumption
In January 2013, Rihanna confirmed that she and Chris Brown had resumed their romantic relationship, emphasizing that they had worked through their issues and valued each other.
February 15, 2013: Unofficial Release of "Home"
On February 15, 2013, Chris Brown unofficially released the song "Home," which reflected on the dark side of fame and finding solace in his roots and the people who knew him before his rise to stardom.
March 26, 2013: Announcement of X Album
On March 26, 2013, Chris Brown officially announced the upcoming release of his album X through various interviews and listening sessions, signaling a shift towards a more mature and soulful sound compared to his previous work.
March 29, 2013: Release of "Fine China"
On March 29, 2013, Chris Brown released "Fine China" as the lead single from his upcoming album X. The single received critical acclaim with Yahoo! describing it as "a soulful, 1970's-inspired track" and noting it as "Brown's most musical sound to date".
May 2013: Brown Announces Breakup with Rihanna
In a May 2013 interview, Chris Brown stated that he and Rihanna had broken up again. He subsequently reunited with Karrueche Tran but they split up shortly afterwards.
July 2013: Probation Revoked After Alleged Hit and Run
In July 2013, Chris Brown's probation was revoked after he was involved in an alleged hit and run in Los Angeles.
August 9, 2013: Seizure at Record Plant Studios
On August 9, 2013, Chris Brown reportedly suffered a seizure at Record Plant Studios in Hollywood, California, prompting a 9-1-1 call. Paramedics arrived, but Brown refused treatment and transportation to a hospital.
August 2013: Scheduled Court Reappearance
In August 2013, Chris Brown was scheduled to reappear in court to learn whether he would serve time in prison following his probation revocation.
October 2013: Arrested 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.
October 30, 2013: Brown Voluntarily Enters Rehab
On October 30, 2013, Chris Brown voluntarily entered rehab.
November 2013: Partnered with Sprayground for Backpack Line
In November 2013, Chris Brown partnered with Sprayground, a New York backpack company, to launch a limited line of custom backpacks called the "Invasion Capsule Collection".
November 19, 2013: Release of X Files Mixtape
On November 19, 2013, Chris Brown released a mixtape titled X Files to hold fans over until the release of his album, X, which was in jeopardy due to his legal issues.
November 20, 2013: Sentenced to Anger Management Rehabilitation
On November 20, 2013, Chris Brown was sentenced to a three-month anger management rehabilitation program, which jeopardized the December 2013 release of his album X.
2013: Acted in Battle of the Year
In 2013, Chris Brown acted in the dance film 'Battle of the Year'.
2013: Brown Sentenced to Rehab and Diagnosed with Bipolar II Disorder
In 2013, Chris Brown was sentenced to 90 days in rehab by a Los Angeles Superior Court judge to fulfill the terms of his probation for the Rihanna incident. While at the rehab facility, Brown was formally diagnosed with bipolar II disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.
2013: Brown Discusses Songwriting Process
In 2013, during an interview for Rolling Stone, Chris Brown said that his songs are always "derived from personal experiences" and that he likes "mixing reality with art."
2013: Artistic Intentions in Harlem
In a 2013 interview, Chris Brown stated that during his time in Harlem, his intention was to both rap and sing on his records, but Jive convinced him to stick to singing because rapping wasn't considered acceptable for an R&B singer at the time.
2013: Brown Discusses Drug Use
In a 2014 interview with radio personality Ebro Darden, Chris Brown revealed that prior to his 2013 incarceration, he used "the syrup, the Xanax," and added that marijuana offset his hyperactive tendencies.
February 22, 2014: Announcement of X Album Release Date
On February 22, 2014, it was announced that Chris Brown's album, X, would be released on his birthday, May 5, 2014.
March 14, 2014: Brown Kicked out of Rehab and Sent to Jail
On March 14, 2014, Chris Brown was kicked out of the rehab facility and sent to Northern Neck Regional Jail for violating internal rules.
April 14, 2014: Teaser of "Don't Be Gone Too Long"
On April 14, 2014, Chris Brown released a teaser of the new track "Don't Be Gone Too Long" featuring Ariana Grande.
April 23, 2014: Judge Orders Brown to Remain in Rehab
After Chris Brown completed his 90 days in rehab, the judge ordered him to remain a resident at the Malibu treatment facility until a hearing on April 23, 2014. The deal was if Brown left rehab, he would go to jail.
May 9, 2014: Sentenced to Jail for Probation Violation
On May 9, 2014, Chris Brown was ordered to serve 131 days in jail for violating his probation, which led to a delay in the release of his album and the shelving of his collaboration with Ariana Grande.
June 2, 2014: Brown Released 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."
August 25, 2014: Release of "X" as Instant-Gratification Track
On August 25, 2014, the title track "X" was released as an instant-gratification track alongside the album pre-order on iTunes.
September 16, 2014: Release of X Album
On September 16, 2014, Chris Brown's sixth studio album, X, was released, receiving positive reviews from critics who considered it an improvement over his previous album. The album debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200.
2014: CBE Label Shift
From 2014, the CBE record label, founded by Chris Brown, started to sign exclusively Chris Brown's works.
2014: X album release
In 2014, Chris Brown released his album X, which peaked in the top three of the Billboard 200.
2014: Brown Discusses Drug Use
In a 2014 interview with radio personality Ebro Darden, Chris Brown revealed that prior to his 2013 incarceration, he used "the syrup, the Xanax," and added that marijuana offset his hyperactive tendencies.
February 24, 2015: Release of Fan of a Fan: The Album
On February 24, 2015, Chris Brown released his first collaborative studio album with Tyga, titled Fan of a Fan: The Album. It was a follow-up to their 2010 mixtape, and its lead single "Ayo" achieved commercial success.
March 20, 2015: Brown's Probation Ends
On March 20, 2015, Chris Brown's probation ended, formally closing the felony case emanating from the Rihanna assault that happened over six years prior.
April 2015: Brown's Sobriety Ends and Drug Use Increases
Around April 2015, Chris Brown had broken a 15-month stretch of sobriety and began spiraling into more frequent drug use.
October 13, 2015: Announcement of Royalty Album Release Date
On October 13, 2015, Chris Brown announced that his album Royalty, dedicated to his daughter, would be released on November 27, 2015.
November 27, 2015: Release of Before the Party Mixtape
On November 27, 2015, Chris Brown released a free 34-track mixtape called Before the Party, featuring guest appearances from Rihanna, Wiz Khalifa and others, as a prelude to his album Royalty after its release was pushed back.
December 11, 2015: Face of BAPE Black Label
On December 11, 2015, A Bathing Ape revealed that Chris Brown would become the face of the brand's high end range, BAPE Black Label.
December 18, 2015: Release of Royalty Album
On December 18, 2015, Chris Brown released his seventh studio album, Royalty, which debuted at number 3 on the US Billboard 200. Chris Brown directed and released eight music videos for the songs of Royalty, serializing them to construct a linear story.
2015: Royalty album release
In 2015, Chris Brown released his album Royalty, which peaked in the top three of the Billboard 200.
2015: Brown Discusses His Faith
In 2015, Chris Brown said during an interview for Vibe, that God is the only thing that he is afraid of. He also talked about his daily prayers and the importance of seeking knowledge, understanding, and peace of mind rather than just praying for success.
2015: Freestyled Dancing at Vestival The Hague Malieveld
In 2015, Chris Brown showcased his dancing abilities at the Vestival The Hague Malieveld, freestyling over Future's "March Madness", which included an acclaimed front-flip.
2015: Burger King Restaurants Ownership
In 2015, Chris Brown stated he owned fourteen Burger King restaurants.
2015: Grammy Nominations for X and "New Flame"
In 2015, Chris Brown's album X was nominated for the Best Urban Contemporary Album at the Grammy Awards, while his song "New Flame" was nominated for Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Song.
2015: Work on Walls of The Grammy Museum
In 2015, Chris Brown, under the pseudonym Konfused, 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.
March 2016: Collaboration with Benny Benassi on "Paradise"
In March 2016, Chris Brown collaborated with Italian DJ Benny Benassi for the song "Paradise" from Benassi's album Danceaholic.
May 5, 2016: Release of "Grass Ain't Greener"
On May 5, 2016, Chris Brown released the single "Grass Ain't Greener" as the first single from his new album titled Heartbreak on a Full Moon.
June 2016: Former Manager Sues Brown for Assault
In June 2016, Chris Brown was sued for assault, false imprisonment and battery by Mike G, the singer's former manager, who alleged Brown assaulted him on May 10 of that year.
August 30, 2016: Accusation and Standoff with LAPD
On August 30, 2016, a woman accused Chris Brown of threatening her with a gun, leading to a standoff with the LAPD. Brown denied them entry initially, posted videos on Instagram denouncing the police and media coverage, and was later arrested and released on $250,000 bail.
September 1, 2016: Lawyer's Statement and Dropped Charges
On September 1, 2016, Chris Brown's lawyer stated there was no standoff and that nothing corroborated the accuser's statement. Charges were later dropped after prosecutors declined to arraign Brown on felony charges, and Brown later sued the accuser for defamation.
December 16, 2016: Release of "Party"
On December 16, 2016, Chris Brown released the second official single from his album, "Party", featuring Usher and Gucci Mane.
2016: Partnership with Snipes and Model for Philipp Plein
In 2016, Chris Brown partnered with Snipes for a summer capsule collection and served as a model for Philipp Plein's fall and winter campaign. He also shared his definition of style in an interview with Vanity Fair Italia.
2016: Black Pyramid Larger Release
In 2016, Chris Brown's clothing label Black Pyramid was set for a larger release, partnering with streetwear clothing lines such as Snipes for worldwide distribution, also being distributed through its own Black Pyramid boutiques.
2016: Increased Drug Use
In the first months of 2016, Chris Brown spiraled into a more frequent drug use, including the use of cocaine, xanax, marijuana, molly and lean.
August 4, 2017: Release of "Pills & Automobiles"
On August 4, 2017, Chris Brown released the fourth single from his upcoming album, the trap song "Pills & Automobiles", featuring Yo Gotti, A Boogie wit da Hoodie, and Kodak Black.
October 25, 2017: Free Pop-Up Concert in New York City
On October 25, 2017, Chris Brown organized a free pop-up concert in New York City with Tidal to perform the singles on the album and promote it.
October 31, 2017: Release of Heartbreak on a Full Moon Album
On October 31, 2017, Chris Brown released his double-disc album Heartbreak on a Full Moon digitally, explaining that it depicted what his soul wanted to say. CD release followed three days later by RCA Records.
December 13, 2017: Release of Cuffing Season - 12 Days of Christmas
On December 13, 2017, Chris Brown released a surprise deluxe edition of his album, titled Cuffing Season – 12 Days of Christmas, which included 12 new tracks.
2017: Billboard Article on Brown's Mental Health and Addiction
In 2017, Billboard wrote an investigative article about Chris Brown's mental health issues and addiction.
2017: Produced and Starred in Welcome to My Life
In 2017, Chris Brown produced and starred in a documentary on himself entitled 'Welcome to My Life'.
2017: Welcome to My Life Documentary Release
In 2017, Chris Brown recalled his abusive childhood in his self-documentary film, Welcome to My Life, offering insights into his personal struggles.
2017: Heartbreak on a Full Moon album release
In 2017, Chris Brown released his eighth album, Heartbreak on a Full Moon. The album was certified gold after one week and later certified double platinum.
2017: Tran Granted Restraining Order Against Brown
In 2017, Chris Brown's ex-girlfriend Karrueche Tran was granted a 5-year restraining order against him by a judge in Santa Monica, California, after she shared threatening text messages and voicemails.
January 31, 2018: Release of "State of the Union"
On January 31, 2018, shortly after President Donald Trump's 2020 State of the Union Address, Chris Brown released for free the track "State of the Union", a ballad expressing a message about social harmony.
March 15, 2018: Featured on "Freaky Friday"
On March 15, 2018, Chris Brown was featured on Lil Dicky's hit single "Freaky Friday", which became a successful comedy song, topping charts in New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
January 4, 2019: Release of "Undecided"
On January 4, 2019, Chris Brown released "Undecided" as the lead single from his ninth album, Indigo, reuniting with producer Scott Storch. The single was his first release after signing an extension and new license agreement with RCA Records, granting him ownership of his master recordings.
May 2019: Surpassed James Brown on Billboard Hot 100
In May 2019, Chris Brown surpassed James Brown for the most Billboard Hot 100 entries among R&B singers.
June 10, 2019: Announcement of Indigoat Tour
On June 10, 2019, Chris Brown announced the "Indigoat Tour," a headlining concert tour throughout the US to perform the album Indigo.
June 28, 2019: Release of Indigo
On June 28, 2019, Chris Brown released his ninth album, Indigo, which explored his R&B roots and other genres. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200.
October 4, 2019: Release of Indigo Extended
On October 4, 2019, Chris Brown released a deluxe version of Indigo, entitled Indigo Extended, featuring 10 additional songs, bringing the total to 42 songs.
2019: Billboard Names Chris Brown Top Artist
In 2019, Billboard named Chris Brown the third most successful artist of the 2010s decade in R&B and hip-hop music, behind Drake and Rihanna, demonstrating his legacy and impact on the genre.
2019: Indigo album release
In 2019, Chris Brown's ninth studio album, Indigo, debuted atop the Billboard 200. It included the single "No Guidance", which broke the record for longest-running number one on Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart.
2019: Longest Running #1 Hit on Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay Chart
In 2019, Chris Brown's single "No Guidance" became the longest running #1 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay Chart with 27 weeks.
2019: Lawsuit Settled Out of Court
In 2019, the lawsuit between Chris Brown and his former manager Mike G was settled out of court, with both parties reaching a confidential deal.
January 2020: Longest Running #1 Hit on Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay
In January 2020, Chris Brown initially set the record for longest running #1 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart with his 2019 single "No Guidance", which remained #1 for 27 weeks.
April 29, 2020: Announcement of Slime & B mixtape
On April 29, 2020, Chris Brown announced the release of a collaborative mixtape with Young Thug titled Slime & B.
May 1, 2020: Featured on Drake's Dark Lane Demo Tapes
On May 1, 2020, Chris Brown was featured on Drake's Dark Lane Demo Tapes mixtape, on the track "Not You Too". The song earned Brown his 100th career entry on the US Billboard Hot 100.
May 5, 2020: Release of Slime & B mixtape
On May 5, 2020, Chris Brown and Young Thug released their collaborative mixtape, Slime & B, featuring the hit single "Go Crazy."
May 2020: First R&B Artist with 100 Billboard Hot 100 Entries
In May 2020, Chris Brown became the first R&B artist in history to achieve 100 entries on the Billboard Hot 100.
July 9, 2020: Announcement of "Breezy" album title
On July 9, 2020, Chris Brown announced via Instagram that his tenth album would be titled Breezy, referencing his stage nickname.
December 2020: Alleged Yacht Incident
In December 2020, the alleged rape incident occurred on a yacht in Miami, which led to a $20 million civil lawsuit against Chris Brown in January 2022.
2020: Mural in Memory of Kobe Bryant
In 2020, Chris Brown painted a mural in memory of Kobe Bryant, doing a portray that includes Kobe's face, a mamba, and a few pictures of Kobe dribbling and dunking a basketball.
April 2021: "Go Crazy" Breaks Record
In April 2021, Chris Brown's song "Go Crazy" broke the record for the longest-running No. 1 song on R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay, surpassing his 2019 hit single "No Guidance".
August 2, 2021: Announcement of Breezy short film
On August 2, 2021, Chris Brown announced that his Breezy album would be accompanied by a short film of the same name; however, it was never released.
November 11, 2021: Launched Breezy's Cosmic Crunch Cereal
On November 11, 2021, Chris Brown launched his own cereal, "Breezy's Cosmic Crunch", partnering with SoFlo Snacks for this limited edition of collectible breakfast cereal.
2021: Acted in She Ball
In 2021, Chris Brown played a supporting role in the sports comedy film 'She Ball'.
January 14, 2022: Release of "Iffy"
On January 14, 2022, Chris Brown released the single "Iffy", which peaked at #1 on the Rhythmic Radio Chart on April 3, 2022.
January 2022: $20 Million Civil Lawsuit
In January 2022, Chris Brown faced a $20 million civil lawsuit for allegedly raping a woman on a yacht in Miami in December 2020. Brown denied the allegations and provided text messages implying a consensual relationship. He intended to counter-sue for defamation.
March 27, 2022: Co-Headlining F1 Post-Race Concert
On March 27, 2022, Chris Brown co-headlined a F1 post-race concert for the 2022 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
April 1, 2022: Release of "WE (Warm Embrace)"
On April 1, 2022, Chris Brown released the second single from his album Breezy, "WE (Warm Embrace)".
April 3, 2022: "Iffy" peaks at #1
On April 3, 2022, Chris Brown's single "Iffy" peaked at #1 on the Rhythmic Radio Chart.
April 26, 2022: Announcement of "One of Them Ones" tour
On April 26, 2022, Chris Brown announced his US summer tour "One of Them Ones" with Lil Baby.
May 2022: Launched NFT Collection "The Auracles"
In May 2022, Chris Brown partnered with Renowned and BlackNFTArt to launch an NFT collection, "The Auracles", with accompanying physical streetwear pieces.
June 11, 2022: Residency launch at Drai's After Hours Nightclub
On June 11, 2022, Chris Brown performed at Drai's After Hours Nightclub at The Cromwell Las Vegas Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas to mark the launch of his new multi-year residency at the venue.
June 17, 2022: Release of "Call Me Every Day"
On June 17, 2022, Chris Brown released the audio for an Afrobeats collaboration with Nigerian singer Wizkid titled "Call Me Every Day".
June 24, 2022: Release of Breezy Album
On June 24, 2022, Chris Brown released his tenth studio album, Breezy, which debuted at number four on the Billboard 200.
July 2022: Released "The Breezyverse" NFT Collection
In July 2022, Chris Brown released "The Breezyverse", a NFT collection consisting of 10,000 3D animated NFTs with sound and visual effects on the Ethereum blockchain, released in conjunction with his tenth studio album Breezy.
July 2022: Surpassed Elvis Presley on Billboard Hot 100
In July 2022, Chris Brown surpassed Elvis Presley for the most Billboard Hot 100 entries among male singers. Also in July 2022, Chris Brown overtook singer The Weeknd for the most charted songs on Billboard's nearly 10-year-old Hot R&B Songs chart.
August 2022: Lawsuit Dismissed
In August 2022, the judge dismissed the lawsuit against Chris Brown due to lack of prosecution by the plaintiff. The lawsuit was dismissed on procedural grounds without prejudice, meaning it could be reinstated.
September 4, 2022: International Artiste of the Year at Headies Awards
On September 4, 2022, Chris Brown won International Artiste of the Year at the 15th annual Headies Awards, recognizing his impact on Afrobeats as a non-African artist.
September 2022: First R&B Singer with 50 Top 40 Billboard Hot 100 Hits
In September 2022, Chris Brown became the first R&B singer in history to chart over 50 top 40 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, achieving the record with his single "Under the Influence."
September 2022: "No Guidance" Lawsuit Dropped
In September 2022, the pair of songwriters who sued Chris Brown and Drake for copyright infringement on "No Guidance" dropped the lawsuit in its entirety.
October 14, 2022: Special Guest at Usher's Las Vegas Residency
On October 14, 2022, Chris Brown appeared as a special guest at Usher's Las Vegas Residency, performing several songs. Usher hailed Brown as a legend during the performance.
November 16, 2022: Release of Christmas-themed songs
On November 16, 2022, Chris Brown released two Christmas-themed songs, "No Time Like Christmas" and "It's Giving Christmas".
November 18, 2022: American Music Awards Cancels Michael Jackson Tribute
On November 18, 2022, Chris Brown announced that the American Music Awards had canceled his scheduled tribute performance to Michael Jackson in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the 1982 album Thriller for unknown reasons, prompting backlash.
2022: Burger King Portfolio Sale
In 2022, Chris Brown revealed that he sold his portfolio of Burger King restaurants.
2022: "Under the Influence" Re-release
In 2022, the song "Under the Influence" from Chris Brown's Indigo album was re-released as a single and became a sleeper hit.
January 2023: Broke Elvis Presley's Record for Most Gold Certified Singles
In January 2023, Chris Brown broke Elvis Presley's record for the most gold certified singles by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) among all male vocalists, scoring his 56th gold-certified single with "Call Me Everyday".
January 2023: Surpasses Elvis Presley for RIAA gold-certified singles
In January 2023, Chris Brown surpassed Elvis Presley for the most RIAA gold-certified singles among all male vocalists in history.
February 2023: First Male Vocalist with 20 Multi-Platinum Singles
In February 2023, Chris Brown became the first male vocalist in RIAA history to score 20 multi-platinum singles in the US.
February 2023: Pollstar Report on Career Gross Earnings
In February 2023, Pollstar reported that Chris Brown had grossed $166 million from 284 shows between 2006 and 2022, marking him as one of the highest grossing African American touring artists of all time.
March 2023: Reaches 10 No. 1s on Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart
In March 2023, Chris Brown became the fifth artist in Billboard's history to reach 10 No. 1s on Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart with his hit record "Under the Influence".
April 2023: Co-Headlines Rolling Loud Thailand
In April 2023, Chris Brown co-headlined Rolling Loud Thailand in its inaugural year, alongside Travis Scott and Cardi B.
May 2023: Launched NAMI 3D Printed Slides
In May 2023, Chris Brown partnered with Zellerfeld, Nos Ailes, and The Auracles to launch his own line of 3D printed slides, NAMI.
June 2023: Release of "Summer Too Hot"
In June 2023, Chris Brown released "Summer Too Hot", the lead single from his eleventh album, which was later nominated for a Grammy Award.
June 2023: "Pills and Automobiles" Lawsuit Dropped
In June 2023, the musician who filed the copyright infringement on "Pills and Automobiles" dropped the lawsuit.
August 4, 2023: Release of "How We Roll"
On August 4, 2023, the single "How We Roll" in collaboration with Ciara was released.
August 27, 2023: Chris Brown and Friends Live In Jamaica
On August 27, 2023, Chris Brown headlined a one-off concert from Jamaica National Stadium, titled Chris Brown and Friends Live In Jamaica, as part of his 'Under the Influence Tour'.
September 8, 2023: Featured on Tee Grizzley single IDGAF
On September 8, 2023, Chris Brown alongside Mariah the Scientist appeared as featured artists on Tee Grizzley single IDGAF.
September 2023: Launched Bussin Cannabis Brand
In September 2023, Chris Brown partnered with Originals, a California-based cannabis brand and dispensary, to launch Bussin, a recreational cannabis brand.
October 2023: Partnership with Faraday Future
In October 2023, Faraday Future Intelligent Electric Inc. announced a partnership with Chris Brown, where he would become an ambassador and Co-Creation Officer of the company.
October 20, 2023: Release of "Sensational"
On October 20, 2023, Chris Brown released the Afrobeats song "Sensational" featuring Nigerian artists Lojay and Davido, as the second single from 11:11.
October 21, 2023: Album 11:11 To Contain 22 Songs
On October 21, 2023, Chris Brown clarified that the album 11:11 would actually contain 22 songs as opposed to the 11 he had stated previously.
November 6, 2023: Confirmation of featured artists on album 11:11
On November 6, 2023, Chris Brown confirmed that there would be 7 featured artists on the album 11:11, including Lojay, Davido, Future, Fridayy, Byron Messia and 2 hidden features.
November 7, 2023: Release of "Nightmares"
On November 7, 2023, Chris Brown released the single "Nightmares" featuring Byron Messia.
November 10, 2023: Release of 11:11 album
On November 10, 2023, Chris Brown released his album '11:11', marking his third double album. The album features a mix of R&B, pop, Afrobeats, and dancehall influences and consists of 11 tracks on each side. It debuted at number nine on the US Billboard 200.
December 2023: Vevo's Most Watched Artist Ranking
In December 2023, Vevo reported that Chris Brown was the 6th most watched artist in the US and 10th most watched artist globally for the 2023 calendar year.
2023: Consideration of Music as Job
During a 2023 interview with Shannon Sharpe, Chris Brown mentioned he started considering music as his job after winning a talent show at age 11, performing Sisqó's "Thong Song".
2023: Reflected on first album
In 2023, Chris Brown described working on his first album as a learning experience and felt insecure about releasing "Run It!" as his first single.
2023: Warrant Issued Against Brown
In 2023, a warrant was issued against Chris Brown for a grievous bodily harm with intent charge related to an alleged incident at a London nightclub.
January 2024: Charted on the Billboard Hot 100 for at Least 20 Consecutive Calendar Years
In January 2024, Chris Brown became the first artist in the 21st century to have charted on the Billboard Hot 100 for at least 20 distinct and consecutive calendar years.
January 2024: Charted on the Billboard Hot 100 for Twenty Consecutive Years
In January 2024, Chris Brown became the first artist in the 21st century to have charted on the Billboard Hot 100 for twenty consecutive years, with Tee Grizzley's single "IDGAF" featuring Chris Brown and Mariah the Scientist.
March 5, 2024: Announcement of "The 11:11 Tour"
On March 5, 2024, Chris Brown announced "The 11:11 Tour", a North American arena tour featuring singers Ayra Starr, Muni Long and Maeta as supporting acts.
March 2024: Launched CB 15K Disposable Vape Line
In March 2024, Chris Brown launched a line of disposable vapes called the CB 15K x Chris Brown Disposable Vape.
April 11, 2024: Release of 11:11 (Deluxe)
On April 11, 2024, Chris Brown released '11:11 (Deluxe)', the expanded edition of his eleventh album, featuring 13 additional tracks and collaborations with Lil Wayne, Bryson Tiller, Davido, Joyner Lucas, Tee Grizzley and Mario.
October 2024: Airing of Chris Brown: A History of Violence
In October 2024, the docuseries Chris Brown: A History of Violence aired on Investigation Discovery, featuring multiple abuse allegations against Chris Brown.
October 27, 2024: Docuseries Episode Aired
On October 27, 2024, an episode of the docuseries Chris Brown: A History of Violence aired, revealing more details about the alleged 2020 yacht incident and the yacht's ownership by Sean "Diddy" Combs.
November 2024: First Male Vocalist with Over 40 Platinum Singles
In November 2024, Chris Brown became the first male vocalist in RIAA history to score over 40 platinum singles in the US.
2024: Digital Singles Certification
As of 2024, Chris Brown has certified 114.5 million digital singles in the US, which is the most of any male R&B singer in history and tied for 11th overall among all artists across genres.
2024: 11:11 Tour Gross Earnings
In 2024, Chris Brown grossed $82 million from his 11:11 tour.
January 2025: Lawsuit Against Warner Bros.
In January 2025, Chris Brown filed a $500 million lawsuit against Warner Bros. over abuse allegations made against him in Chris Brown: A History of Violence, which aired in October 2024.
January 23, 2025: Release of Music Video for Residuals
On January 23, 2025, Chris Brown released a music video for his Grammy-nominated song "Residuals" from the 11:11 (Deluxe) album.
February 2, 2025: Grammy Win for Best R&B Album
On February 2, 2025, Chris Brown's '11:11 (Deluxe)' won the Grammy for "Best R&B Album" at the 2025 Grammy Awards.
March 27, 2025: Announcement of Breezy Bowl XX World Tour
On March 27, 2025, Chris Brown announced a stadium world tour titled the "Breezy Bowl XX" with special guests Summer Walker and Bryson Tiller, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of his self-titled album.
May 15, 2025: Brown Arrested in Manchester
On May 15, 2025, Chris Brown was arrested in Manchester, England, on a 2023 warrant issued against him for a grievous bodily harm with intent charge.
May 2025: Lawsuit Ongoing
As of May 2025, Chris Brown's lawsuit against Warner Bros. over the docuseries Chris Brown: A History of Violence remains ongoing.
June 20, 2025: Brown Pleads Not Guilty
On June 20, 2025, Chris Brown appeared at Southwark Crown Court and pleaded not guilty to attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent.
October 26, 2026: Trial Scheduled to Begin
Chris Brown's trial for attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent is scheduled to begin on October 26, 2026.
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