Chris Brown's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Chris Brown.

Christopher Maurice Brown is an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and actor. Known for his pop and hip-hop-influenced R&B music, he has been dubbed the "King of R&B" by some. His work often explores emotional and hedonistic themes. Brown's singing and dancing abilities have drawn comparisons to Michael Jackson.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1995: First Male Act Since Montell Jordan to Top Billboard Hot 100

In 2005, Chris Brown became the first male act since Montell Jordan in 1995 to have his debut single, "Run It!", reach the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

1995: First Male Artist to Top Billboard Hot 100 Since 1995

In 2005, Chris Brown became the first male artist since 1995 to top the Billboard Hot 100 chart with his debut single, "Run It!".

2006: Start of tour earnings

Between 2006 and 2022, Chris Brown grossed $166 million from 284 shows, according to a February 2023 report.

2009: Grammy nomination for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance

In 2009, Chris Brown most notably earned a Grammy award nomination for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for "Take You Down".

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.

2011: F.A.M.E. Album and Grammy Win

In 2011, Chris Brown released his fourth album, F.A.M.E., which topped the Billboard 200 chart and earned him a Grammy Award for Best R&B Album.

2011: BET and Hip Hop Awards Wins

In 2011, Chris Brown won five awards at the BET Awards, including Best Male R&B Artist, and three awards at the BET Hip Hop Awards, including the People's Champ Award.

2011: "Look at Me Now" Success

In 2011, the single "Look at Me Now" became the best-selling rap song of 2011, as well as one of all-time best-selling singles in the US.

February 12, 2012: Grammy Award Win

On February 12, 2012, Chris Brown won his first Grammy Award for Best R&B Album, marking his first appearance at the awards show since his conviction of felony assault.

September 16, 2014: X Album Release

On September 16, 2014, Chris Brown's sixth studio album, 'X', was released, receiving positive reviews and debuting at number two on the US Billboard 200.

March 20, 2015: Brown's probation ends

On March 20, 2015, Chris Brown's probation officially ended, closing the felony case related to the assault on Rihanna that happened over six years prior.

2015: Grammy Nominations for X

In 2015, Chris Brown's album 'X' was nominated for Best Urban Contemporary Album at the Grammy Awards, and "New Flame" was nominated for Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Song.

January 4, 2019: "Undecided" Single Release

On January 4, 2019, Chris Brown released "Undecided" as the lead single from his ninth album, Indigo. Signing an extension and a new license agreement with RCA Records, that gave him the owning of his master recordings, making him one of the youngest artists to do so at the age of 29.

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.

2019: Album Certified Double Platinum

In 2019, 'Heartbreak on a Full Moon' was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.

2019: Billboard's Ranking

In 2019, Billboard named Chris Brown the third most successful R&B and hip-hop artist of the 2010s decade, following Drake and Rihanna.

2019: Indigo Album Release and Success

In 2019, Chris Brown released his ninth studio album, Indigo, which debuted atop the Billboard 200 and included the hit single "No Guidance."

2019: Lawsuit with Mike G 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 reconciling and reaching a confidential agreement.

2019: Single "No Guidance" remained #1 for 27 weeks

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.

January 2020: Longest running #1 on Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay with "No Guidance"

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.

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.

April 2021: "Go Crazy" broke record

In April 2021, "Go Crazy" broke the record for the longest running No. 1 song on R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay.

April 3, 2022: "Iffy" peaked to #1 of the Rhythmic Radio Chart

On April 3, 2022, Chris Brown's single "Iffy" peaked to #1 of the Rhythmic Radio Chart.

July 2022: Surpassed Elvis Presley on Billboard Hot 100 and overtook The Weeknd on Hot R&B Songs chart

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 due to lack of prosecution

In August 2022, the judge dismissed the lawsuit against Chris Brown due to lack of prosecution by the plaintiff. However, the dismissal was without prejudice, meaning the case could be reinstated under proper legal grounds.

September 4, 2022: Won International Artiste of the Year

On September 4, 2022, Chris Brown won international artiste of the year at the 15th annual Headies awards for his impact on Afrobeats.

September 2022: First R&B singer with 50 top 40 hits on Billboard Hot 100

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".

2022: End of tour earnings reporting period

Between 2006 and 2022, Chris Brown grossed $166 million from 284 shows, according to a February 2023 report.

January 2023: Broke Elvis Presley's record for 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: Surpassed 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 the US

In February 2023, Chris Brown became the first male vocalist in RIAA history to score 20 multi-platinum singles in the US.

February 2023: Financial success of Chris Brown's tours

In February 2023, it was reported that Chris Brown had grossed $166 million from 284 shows between 2006 and 2022, and an additional $34 million from his Under The Influence tour in 2023.

March 2023: "Under the Influence" hit record

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. Additionally, Brown earned his 18th No. 1 on the Billboard's Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart with Under the Influence.

December 2023: Vevo Stats

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: Record sales and status

As of 2023, Chris Brown has sold over 140 million records worldwide, making him one of the world's best-selling music artists. He is also one of the highest-grossing African American touring artists of all time.

January 2024: Charted on Billboard Hot 100 for 20 consecutive 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.

November 2024: First male vocalist with over 40 platinum singles in the US

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 in the US

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.