Did you spend time writing while you were in jail?
No. You know, jail isn't a place of many creative spirits. But as far as my creativity, I put it on hold until I got out. Jail is more of a regimen and a structure.
I'm more of a free spirit when it comes to creating music, painting and art. So when I got out, I was very excited to get into the studio.
What was the daily routine like?
A guard wakes you up; you eat. You stay in your cell most of the time, basically 24 hours a day. Maybe on Mondays you go to the roof inside of a cage and have a phone call.
It's isolation. You have time to focus on what matters.
What lessons did you learn from the experience?
My maturity level has risen as far as my realising what's important. Realising that I'm human like everyone else.
It's just a humbling experience. You're more appreciative of everything else that's on the outside. A burger tastes 1000 times better when you're out.
What did you miss the most?
I just missed my family. At the end of the day, music is definitely a passion. But when you're dealing with your own personal issues, family is first. I just dealt with that.
How did you keep yourself motivated?
[I had to feel] like this happened for a reason. There was a purpose. Maybe I was out of control too much. Or I needed something to humble me to the point where I get it.
At that point, I didn't look at it as trying to get out of the situation but learn from it.
How have you been able to maintain such a loyal fan base?
It's God and just consistency with my talent. Being able to persevere if I get knocked down and always get back up.
I just try to stay grounded; keep my family first. And always focus on what my purpose is: putting out great music. I don't really focus on any extras or stories in the tabloids. It's nonsense.
You've moved on, and so says Rihanna. Do you see a day when your relationship won't be brought up at all?
When we're not relevant anymore, that might be the case. As long as you're doing something good, people will always bring up old stuff or become negative because they don't want you to surpass a certain level. But as long as you have your head on straight, it shouldn't matter what people want to say.
Explain what it's like to live in the public eye.
I just have to realise it comes with the territory in this day and age of social media.
Not everyone in the world is going to particularly love me.
But I'm cool with that. As long as I love myself and my music, I'm fine. I don't look over my shoulder or wish I could turn back the hands of time. Life is a learning experience, so I'm learning as I go.
Do you consider yourself a role model?
As far as my mistakes in life, that's being a role model, because people can see my mistakes and learn from them.
As far as becoming a man in the public eye, continuing to persevere and stay positive throughout trials and tribulations . that's the only thing I'd say contributes to my being a role model. If kids look up to me, that's amazing; great. I take the humble approach and let people make that decision for themselves.
How would you define redemption?
Being able to learn from mistakes and inspiring people to learn from yours. Know that you're human and understand that life has its ups and downs, but God always balances it out.
If you couldn't make music or dance, what would you do instead?
I would be somewhere in the industry. It would be more like fashion design, or I'd probably be a painter or street artist. But painting is one of my biggest passions.
X, Brown's latest album releases in stores today.
This is an edited version of an article published in Billboard magazine
CD REVIEW
TITLE: X
REVIEWER: Lesley MofokengChris Brown is like a beast unleashed on his sixth studio album and the first since his life changing experience behind bars.
The music is high energy and intense with catchy beats, and it remains one of his most personal releases.
Five singles from the album are already number one hits.
His list of collaborators prove that the industry heavyweights clamoured to work with him. From R.Kelly in Drown In It, Lil Wayne on Loyal (with Tyga) and Usher and Rick Ross on New Flame, Nicky Minaj on Love More, the collaborations keep coming. Kendrick Lamar, Brandy and a duet with Aaliyah (who died 13 years ago) also made the cut. In the 21-track album, he plays around with soul and R&B with live instruments and few traces of auto-tune.
Verdict: Very Good
For more stories like this one, be sure to buy the Sowetan newspaper from Mondays to Fridays
Breezy rises from ashes
Did you spend time writing while you were in jail?
No. You know, jail isn't a place of many creative spirits. But as far as my creativity, I put it on hold until I got out. Jail is more of a regimen and a structure.
I'm more of a free spirit when it comes to creating music, painting and art. So when I got out, I was very excited to get into the studio.
What was the daily routine like?
A guard wakes you up; you eat. You stay in your cell most of the time, basically 24 hours a day. Maybe on Mondays you go to the roof inside of a cage and have a phone call.
It's isolation. You have time to focus on what matters.
What lessons did you learn from the experience?
My maturity level has risen as far as my realising what's important. Realising that I'm human like everyone else.
It's just a humbling experience. You're more appreciative of everything else that's on the outside. A burger tastes 1000 times better when you're out.
What did you miss the most?
I just missed my family. At the end of the day, music is definitely a passion. But when you're dealing with your own personal issues, family is first. I just dealt with that.
How did you keep yourself motivated?
[I had to feel] like this happened for a reason. There was a purpose. Maybe I was out of control too much. Or I needed something to humble me to the point where I get it.
At that point, I didn't look at it as trying to get out of the situation but learn from it.
How have you been able to maintain such a loyal fan base?
It's God and just consistency with my talent. Being able to persevere if I get knocked down and always get back up.
I just try to stay grounded; keep my family first. And always focus on what my purpose is: putting out great music. I don't really focus on any extras or stories in the tabloids. It's nonsense.
You've moved on, and so says Rihanna. Do you see a day when your relationship won't be brought up at all?
When we're not relevant anymore, that might be the case. As long as you're doing something good, people will always bring up old stuff or become negative because they don't want you to surpass a certain level. But as long as you have your head on straight, it shouldn't matter what people want to say.
Explain what it's like to live in the public eye.
I just have to realise it comes with the territory in this day and age of social media.
Not everyone in the world is going to particularly love me.
But I'm cool with that. As long as I love myself and my music, I'm fine. I don't look over my shoulder or wish I could turn back the hands of time. Life is a learning experience, so I'm learning as I go.
Do you consider yourself a role model?
As far as my mistakes in life, that's being a role model, because people can see my mistakes and learn from them.
As far as becoming a man in the public eye, continuing to persevere and stay positive throughout trials and tribulations . that's the only thing I'd say contributes to my being a role model. If kids look up to me, that's amazing; great. I take the humble approach and let people make that decision for themselves.
How would you define redemption?
Being able to learn from mistakes and inspiring people to learn from yours. Know that you're human and understand that life has its ups and downs, but God always balances it out.
If you couldn't make music or dance, what would you do instead?
I would be somewhere in the industry. It would be more like fashion design, or I'd probably be a painter or street artist. But painting is one of my biggest passions.
X, Brown's latest album releases in stores today.
This is an edited version of an article published in Billboard magazine
CD REVIEW
TITLE: X
REVIEWER: Lesley MofokengChris Brown is like a beast unleashed on his sixth studio album and the first since his life changing experience behind bars.
The music is high energy and intense with catchy beats, and it remains one of his most personal releases.
Five singles from the album are already number one hits.
His list of collaborators prove that the industry heavyweights clamoured to work with him. From R.Kelly in Drown In It, Lil Wayne on Loyal (with Tyga) and Usher and Rick Ross on New Flame, Nicky Minaj on Love More, the collaborations keep coming. Kendrick Lamar, Brandy and a duet with Aaliyah (who died 13 years ago) also made the cut. In the 21-track album, he plays around with soul and R&B with live instruments and few traces of auto-tune.
Verdict: Very Good
For more stories like this one, be sure to buy the Sowetan newspaper from Mondays to Fridays
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