A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Chris Brown.
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.
1992: Billboard R&B/Hip Hop Airplay Establishment
Chris Brown holds the record for the two longest running #1 hits on the Billboard R&B/Hip Hop Airplay since the chart was first established in 1992.
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2006: Start of earning period
In 2006, Chris Brown began the period tracked by Pollstar, leading to $166 million in earnings by 2022.
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2009: Grammy Nomination for "Take You Down"
In 2009, Chris Brown received a Grammy nomination for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for his song "Take You Down".
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March 18, 2011: Release of "F.A.M.E."
On March 18, 2011, Chris Brown released his fourth studio album "F.A.M.E.", debuting at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart and selling 270,000 copies in its first week, marking his first number-one album in the US.
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2011: Multiple BET Awards
In 2011, Chris Brown received six nominations at the BET Awards and won five, including Best Male R&B Artist and Video of the Year for "Look at Me Now".
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2011: "Look At Me Now" Success
In 2011, Chris Brown's hip-hop single "Look at Me Now", featuring Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes, reached number one on both the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot Rap Songs charts, becoming a best-selling rap song.
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February 12, 2012: Grammy Award Win
On February 12, 2012, Chris Brown won his first Grammy Award for Best R&B Album. He also performed at the ceremony, marking his first appearance since his felony assault conviction.
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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.
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2015: Grammy Nominations
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.
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May 2019: Most Billboard Hot 100 Entries Among R&B Singers
In May 2019, Chris Brown surpassed James Brown for the most Billboard Hot 100 entries among R&B singers.
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2019: Billboard names Chris Brown third most successful artist
In 2019, Billboard named Chris Brown the third most successful artist of the 2010s decade in R&B and hip-hop music.
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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.
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2019: Certified double platinum
In 2019, the album Heartbreak on a Full Moon was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.
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2019: Single No Guidance Success
In January 2020, Chris Brown set the record for longest running #1 on Billboard R&B/Hip Hop Airplay chart with his 2019 single "No Guidance".
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January 2020: Longest Running #1 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.
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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", earning his 100th career entry on the US Billboard Hot 100.
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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.
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July 2022: Most Billboard Hot 100 Entries Among Male Singers
In July 2022, Chris Brown surpassed Elvis Presley for the most Billboard Hot 100 entries among male singers and overtook The Weeknd for the most charted songs on Billboard’s Hot R&B Songs chart.
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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.
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September 2022: First R&B Singer with Over 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 this with his single "Under the Influence".
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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.
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2022: End of earning period
By 2022, Chris Brown had grossed $166 million from 284 shows since 2006, as reported by Pollstar in February 2023.
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January 2023: Most Gold Certified Singles Among Male Vocalists
In January 2023, Chris Brown broke Elvis Presley's record for the most gold certified singles by the RIAA among all male vocalists, scoring his 56th gold-certified single with "Call Me Everyday".
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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.
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February 2023: Pollstar Reports Chris Brown's Career Earnings
In February 2023, Pollstar reported that Chris Brown had grossed $166 million from 284 shows between 2006 and 2022.
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June 2023: "Pills and Automobiles" Lawsuit Dropped
In June 2023, the musician who filed the copyright infringement on "Pills and Automobiles" dropped the lawsuit.
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2023: Records Sales Update
As of 2023, Chris Brown has sold over 140 million records worldwide, making him one of the world's best-selling music artists.
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January 2024: Charts 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.
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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.
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2024: Digital Singles Certification
As of 2024, Chris Brown has certified 114.5 million digital singles in the US, the most for any male R&B singer.
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