It goes without saying, that Chris Brown‘s comeback campaign hasn’t been as “instant” some may have anticipated. Indeed, it’s been a slow, steady, yet rewarding re-ascend for the 22 year old – following ‘the incident’ back in 2009.
Discussing “operation restoration”, Brown’s manager sat down with Billboard for an insightful interview, detailing how the singer will be handled moving forward.
Check out the revealing piece after the jump…
Via Billboard:
BB: Did you map out a strategy? Or is this comeback a natural course?
Tina Davis: It was a combination. It was about us keeping the faith, and focusing on believing in God’s plan for Chris. Since he was 14, Chris has had a creative vision and direction for himself. So it was easy to work with him and figure out how to deal with the setbacks. Of course, I could have said, “This is what you’re going to do… this is how it’s going to go,” which a lot of managers do. The label [Jive Records] supported Chris and never turned its back on him. But it was Chris who came up with putting out a mixtape.
As much as some people wanted him to go away, his business life and personal life are totally two different things. And his love for music and his talent still shone throughout all of the good and bad times. So part of the strategy was to introduce his core fan base to Chris Brown now: the same talented guy who’s 22 and has a little more edge.
How difficult was it to gain some positive momentum?
As you can imagine, everybody and his mother had an idea as to what Chris could do to come back. Even to the point of being in his ear saying, “Hey, you need to let go of your manager.” But what Chris paid attention to was not so much the fact that this or that person had an answer. His only thing was to keep writing, keep recording, keep letting out [his] emotions and feelings within [his] music so people can better understand [him] and love [his] music.
The hardest part was trying to get people to understand that it wasn’t as easy as saying, “I’m sorry,” or having the right answers in an interview. It takes more than a year to deal with things that have happened in your past — whether you’re 50 or 20.
What strategic elements are you still implementing?
Not have him do interviews but to concentrate on performing and recording. It was something we set a while back. We’re not trying to be rude, selfish or disrespectful to anyone in any way. If people are going to judge anything, judge him for his talent. He signed up to sing and entertain. Not to talk about his personal life. We look at it as starting all over. Our grind, our choices are different than they probably would have been three years ago. But we are humbly trying to get back into the swing of things. He has this movie and other scripts are coming our way. A couple of different companies have been talking to us about partnering with him. They’re not afraid to stand next to him. They understand that hey, this young man has another 20-30 years to go. He has a right to be able to grow up and learn about being a man, being a person.
———————————————-
We’re all for their “focus on the talent” M-O. As, for all the drama, Chris still presents a compelling package – one which’ll become even more lucrative once a clearer direction for his music and image is established.
His graft back to the top of the charts saw him dabble in many a genre and collaborate with many an artist (new and known). A practice which was beneficial in re-establishing his chart presence, yet confusing in that it’s somewhat displaced the notion of what Chris Brown is/means as an artist. The once clear-cut lane he occupied (R&B/Pop) has been smudged with the successes of tracks such as Hip-Hop heavy ‘Look At Me Now’ and Dance number ‘Beautiful People’ – a somewhat good problem to have, yet a problem nonetheless.
In tandem with their no-interview policy needs to be plans to stream-line his sound and image. Because, as much as artists claim they don’t want to be “boxed”, the acts with the most consistent brand presence and sound are oft the most successful (i.e. Beyonce – R&B/Pop/Female Empowerment). More than anything, though, he won’t want to end up in Usher‘s position – “surface successful” , yet with no firm grip on an audience he once had in the palm of his hand.
Anyway, enough of my rambling…
Your thoughts?
no1curs…and he needs to stay…far away from my princess riri..YOU HEAR!!!!!??
good!
So was it “God’s plan” for Chris to BEAT the living S*** out of Rihanna!? Chris is the Devil.
I LOVE HIS SONGWRITING AND MUSIC.
Good decision
haters gonna hate but LOOK AT HIM NOW
Finally a WISE decision coming from CB’s TEAM ….. 🙄
it’s GOOD move i guess …
1 Top Selling Music DVDs of 2011
01. Adele: Live At The Royal Albert Hall
02. Beyoncé: Live At Roseland: Elements Of 4
03. Taylor Swift: Journey To Fearless
04. Lady GaGa: The Monster Ball Tour At MSG
05. AC/DC: Live At River Plate
06. Les Miserables: 25th Anniversary Concert
07. Beyoncé: I Am… World Tour
08. Rush: Time Machine: Live In Cleveland
09. The Rock And Roll Hall of Fame: 25th Anniversary Concert
10. Pearl Jam: Pearl Jam Twenty
😈
Chris is amazing. His comeback was almost as good as Britney’s.
Leave Rihanna in the gutter where she belongs along with her ‘Flop That Flop’ album which sold less than 200,000 in its firs week of release.
Leave what happened back in 2009 there! It’s done! Chris Brown is amazing and so is Kelly Rowland. #TeamBreezy #Rowlandawg
I don’t think no INTERVIEWS in the question. I seriously think that he himself needs to work on his anger & learning to let things roll off of his shoulder or at least learn to let his anger out in more constructive ways (i.e.: work outs, something that won’t raise ppls eyebrows when he does it)… Furthermore, I do think ppl need to leave incident in the past. It’s 2012 almost 3 years since that occured & its like ppl will not let it go. My question is, if Rihanna can let it go & move on with her life (she was the one who was directly effected by it) why can’t others who weren’t even in the car with them let it go. Till this day we still don’t know everything about what happened that night, we only know what we’ve heard (what they want us to know) & what we’ve seen (Rihanna’s battered face picture)… I for one hope that he manages to get back a portion of his old image but I really don’t forsee that coming anytime soon. His antics whether intentionally bad or good will always make ppl second guess his true motives.
she is a good manager she knows how to talk and as for KINGBREEZY he will be fine he is here to stay
Smartest thing he could ever do. Everytime he opens his mouth he ends up pissing people off again. He has a certain arrogance and woe-is-me attitude that just offends.
I wish him well but they’re right. They should just focus on his performances and hope he can eventually regain some form of glory that way.
smartest thing ever he cannot speak in public he just can’t. So open your mouth and just sing boy I’m all for it !
Chris Brown need to get over it, seriously. Find a politically correct answer to this past issue and keep it moving. What is this nonsense of not doing interviews…Really….People need to stop babying this young man and let him grow the hell up. I like Chris brown allot but he need to stop playing this victim role. And these people conducting the interview needs to move the hell on…
he didnt do that many interviews last year but he performed on huge shows he just going to stick to that
Chris Brown will slay…if that incident never happen between him and rihanna CHRIS BROWN would have been SLAYing Every where
I Think that it’s a smart move not to do any interviews. Most reporters only want to ask him about Rihanna anyway. I dont think what he did to her was right BUT he knows that and so does rihanna. If Rihanna Can move pass it, i dont know why other people can’t. DID HE HIT YOU???? O, Ok. I understand his anger because We all make mistakes, But how would you feel if someone threw your failures up in your face daily?? Yes, he needs to work on that and i believe he’s trying. I just wish he would stop replying to all them haters on twitter, like that andy guy, clearly he wants to get a rise out of chris & chris fall for it every single time! -__- But anyways im always going to be C. Breezy fan because as long as he makes good music, im happy.
BTW, C Brezzy please hop on a track with Ciara! A dance video from yall would be EPIC!
Follow ME: Fre5h_Boi21
that,s a great move because almost all them people interviewing him don’t have is best interest at heart,they just want to ask a certain question over and over again to get a reaction so they can get a bigger story,dam-n hovering vultures who is only out for there selves,keep doing your thing CB just straight music and have people who have your best interest at heart around you.
go breezy i will always support you my love your the best
Chris should stop snorting coke coke and focus on dancing if he wants to do better. All that hypernerss and anger is boosted cause of drugs. Some charity work would be great too. I guess what I am saying is that he needs new management and a better focus on life.
Seems like he still can’t control his anger. He needs to get off twitter since he writes foolishness and deletes it like people never heard if screenshots.
Chris needs some counselling and needs to stop lipsynching.
Fyi flop that flop is gold in the us and already sold over a Milli ww which is more than fame sold.
#staymad
Who cares?? FISTopher is a FLOP &LOCAL.
This blonde orangutan will NEVA be on Rhis level 😀
@Sam —
REALEST OF REAL TALK: I’d said I wasn’t going to ever-again comment on/in a Chris Brown post/thread. But…
Listen, I was JUST, by-chance, getting out my car, and tuned into NPR and THIS story came up: http://www.npr.org/2012/01/02/144495440/bin-chris-browns-banner-year-tough-questions-on-abuse
Now, what left me even MORE profoundly confused, frustrated, weary and bewildered was/is the referencing of ‘Look At Me Now’ and ‘Wet The Bed’ as examples of “Challenging Lyrics” and (songs that promote)’Unhealthy Relationships”:
“Wet The Bed”:
“You don’t know what you’re in for. ‘Bout to get inside your mental, huh. Bend you back like it’s limbo. I’m going to make you feel like a nympho tonight. Oh, you’re mine, baby girl.”
“Look At Me Now”:
“Better cuff your chick if you with her. I can get her and she accidentally slip and fall on my (censored). Oops, I said on my (censored). I ain’t really mean to say on my (censored), but since we talking about my (censored), all of you haters say hi to it. I’m done.”
Sam, I was JUST about to track down “Melissa Block” and/or “Sam Sanders”. My local NPR station isn’t THAT far..!! I’d wanted to talk face-to-face with Ms. Block AND/OR Mr. Sanders.
..Sam, TRUST/BELIEVE, that was my very-FIRST ‘reflex-in-action’. But then?! Well, THEN, I saw a mental picture of a smirking Kelly Rowland, and reflection got the better of me. So, NO! NO: I didn’t even attempted to locate, nor even call Ms. Block, nor Mr. Sanders. As I’d said, if not for an actual face-to-face, then a direct phone call and then a demand for clarification/explanation..!!
Maybe Chris can have Kelly Rowland, or some of her “Rowdogs”, go and have a talk with Ms. Bock, or Mr. Sanders??
X,Y,”and Z” — OUT..!!!
Well i’m sure that = no promo? He’s an artist that needs ALL the support he can get at this point, but I mean if his team know what they’re doing. I guess.
@Gimme Dat Slow Bass Remix
lol you mean another dance dance track. They already have one together. However, becasue of the incident, Ciara & her team chose not to release the song as a single. Shame, seeing as how it would’ve been a great move for both of them IMO. But I too hope that they can do another song together.
O & btw, in case you don’t know the name of the song its called “Turntables” & it was on Ciara’s Fantasy Ride album.
The answer is not no interviews it is no twitter! If an interview doesnt go well then chris manager should step in and say no further comments at this point! But we will see how this works out hopefully for the better!
In regards to Sam’s attempts to shade Usher
No matter how Usher is doing he will always be the top r&b dude other than r.Kelly. Chris wishes hey could have a diamond album. Usher has a GREAT voice he doesn’t have to lip-synch. He has many hit albums (ie over 3 Milli sold), grammys, and he performed alongside MJ. He will always be that dude.
UMMMM TGJ CAN WE POST THE ARTICLE ABOUT MISS AUBREY O’DAY BEING IN THE UPCOMING SEASON OF CELEBRITY APPRENTICE??
@GIRRRL
SPILL That RUE Tea SIS?
SAM is a chris brown STAN! he loves his pencil d***
Chris will NEVER Be on USHER’S Level Let alone higher are you crazy!!! EVEN if he did NOT Beat up rihanna he would have still never had the success usher did in his prime. Chris is sooo overrated I just can’t/
You know an artist is S*** when the more memorible thing about them is BEATEN up a female =| like what. Rihanna got beaten up but she is not remembered for that she is remembered for her music and style.
USHER + Rihanna stay WINNING While the other can’t even sell 2million BYE!
@PUCCI Yea i know they already did a song together but i want him to be on the new CD and see a VIDEO with both of them dancing in it, that’s what i meant
@Yellow M*****
I really wish those two find their way back together so you can drop dead. Maybe this is the start of it so when they do there will no interviews to do with him and Rihanna. You a dumb b**** to think Chris is overrated. Rihanna is the one that is OVERRATED the b**** can’t f***** sing PERIOD. Now they will both be at the Grammys and they will watch each other receive awards. What a very nice moment. You stupid fans don’t see what coming and it’s right there in front of your face. Rihanna & Chris are talking to each other either by phone or twitter/DM. You keep forgetting that Rihanna rode that pencil d*** as you call it but tell you one thing Rihanna had no problem riding it probobly want the pencil d*** back. So STFU you sound like a idiot
Jasmine
January 4, 2012 at 6:15 pm
Chris should stop snorting coke coke and focus on dancing if he wants to do better. All that hypernerss and anger is boosted cause of drugs. Some charity work would be great too. I guess what I am saying is that he needs new management and a better focus on life.
________________________
Like Chris is the only on using Coke. Give me a f***** brake only because it’s Chris. And isn’t he on probation? Drugs is a NO NO
Bye B****
I’m on my blackberry typing fast so much errors
its easy to say “it was in 2009” but he beat the s*** out of a woman and i cannot respect a man who done that. thats no difference from a r***** saying he has “changed” and saying “everyone makes mistakes”. it wasnt just 1 punch out of anger, he fully beat the crap out of her. he is an amazing dancer but he lip syncs.
@XOXO
LIESSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! B**** you a motherfuckin liar. How do you know he beat the crap out her, WHAT by those photoshop pictures on the web. Those pictures were photoshop that why that b**** Rihanna did not want to have that restraining order in that order. She wanted it removed. B**** and her handlers camp/Jay used this photoshop picture to boot Rihanna. Oh and it worked. Did you dumb ass know that they interview her aurnt and she said that Rihanna face was not like that. She just had a small mark that was not even noticeable. Mind you Rihanna was out partying that same week and on the jet skys with Chris but what the media did was cut her out to make it look like he was out jet skying with no remorse. Oh and here’s the big one the police did not get the photoshop picture until the next morning. Bet you did not know that either. Remember Chris had body guards riding behind him and was upset because he took the blame.
So question to all you HATERS….
People Cant Change huh??
SO i guess you perfect eh…. o ok
Yall so worried about his personal life try worrying about his music.
Does he make good music, YES!
Is he a Great Performer, Yes!
Are you Mad about that, Clearly.
And once again, if Rihanna (the woman he hit) is cool with him, y are you still going on about it….????
Chris does not need to “stream-line” his sound ! Chris needs to keep doing EXACTLY what he is doing and putting out amazing music in every genre he can !! What a ridiculous thing to recommend. What is so amazing about Chris Brown is his ability to be so diverse as a singer, songwriter, director, performer, actor, dancer, and rapper ! That is the reason that EVERYONE wants to work with him! Your advice is ridiculous. Chris is BY FAR more talented then Usher at such a young age. For those of you who think all he does is lip sync, you might want to check out the AOL Sessions he did when he was 16 !! I have hundreds of Chris Brown songs after merely 6 years in the game…….virtually all of them are amazing. Keep doing what you’re doing Chris…..you are the premiere male artist of your generation!
I remember this girl in high school, wild, bully and all. I saw her about 5 yrs later she was a lieutenant in the army. I was taken back and asked her about her behavior in HS, she looked at me and said “that’s behind me I don’t do that stuff any more and laughed. I’m 30 and not the same person I was at 10, 15, or 20. people can change. let this young man grow into a beautiful person. love his new years message on twitter, “I LOVE Team Breezy unconditionally! Goodbye 2011. Let 2012 bring as much peace positivity and happiness as possible!”.
@girl
I concur.
Some people are born to be Superstars. I happen to agree with the Usher comment as a fan he confuses the hell out of me, for some reason hes got it in his had that he is the next king of Pop. This is the best decision for Chris’s Career, now I’m gonna sit back and watch him blow up.
“More than anything, though, he won’t want to end up in Usher‘s position – “surface successful” , yet with no firm grip on an audience he once had in the palm of his hand.”
_________________________________________
Well said, Sam.
Unfortunately, I’m afraid that’s all Chris got up his sleeves now. He doesn’t want to deal with the media, good. But he is not Prince or Kanye.
If you go to Billboard website, they named “Look et me Now”, one of the best songs of 2011. They praised Busta Rhymes, Lil Wayne but they didn’t even mention Chris, not a single word.
I was shocked but the truth is white media has decided to ignore Chris. He’ll get his #1s, Top 10’s and live shows performances but the critics might never praise him as an artist again.
The only way to turn the media – and the general audience – around is either to play it nice either to be some f_cking genius of music. So unless ‘Fortune’ turns out to be like ‘My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy’, Sam and I are in for another rambling in 6 months.