Chris Brown Biography

Chris Brown makes his big screen debut in Stomp the Yard.

Courtesy of Sony

Birthplace: Tappahannock, Virginia
Birthdate: May 5, 1989

Chris Brown was nominated from a Grammy within three years of being discovered at a small Virginian gas station and his sophomore album, Exclusive, burned up the charts. We take a look at this teenage phenom.

Chris Brown - The Early Years

Chris Brown grew up in Tappahannock, Virginia. He was discovered at age 13 when a local production team visited his father's gas station. The production team arranged audition with Def Jam vice president Tina Davis. From there, Chris moved to New York and began recording. In 2004, Chris was signed to Jive Records.

Chris Brown - Hitting the Charts

Chris Brown's self-titled debut album peaked at number two on the charts and sold more than three million copies worldwide. Not bad for a first effort! That album snagged him three Billboard awards and a Grammy nomination. His follow up album, Exclusive, came out in fall 2007 to great critical response.

Chris Brown - Acting Up

Not content to only make waves in the music industry, Chris turned his talents to acting. He's appeared on TV shows such as One on One and The OC and plays the part of Duron in the fraternity flick Stomp the Yard. Chris also played his first lead role in the holiday movie This Christmas.

Chris Brown - Did U Know?

Chris Brown's album, was originally called Graduation, but he changed the name because Graduation was also the name of Kanye West's album that came out around the same time. Exclusive featured amazing collaborations with Pharrell, will.i.am, Timbaland, Scott Storch and Bryan Michael Cox!
Chris has several nicknames including Charlie Brown, Sizzle and Booboo.
Chris says he learned to dance by watching Michael Jackson on TV as a kid.
Chris was point guard for his school's basketball team.

In February 2009, Chris turned himself in to the LA Police Department because he'd been booked on suspicion of domestic violence. It was later revealed that Chris Brown assaulted his girlfriend, fellow R&B star, Rihanna. Brown released a statement saying, "Words cannot begin to express how sorry and saddened I am over what transpired." In March of 2009, he was charged with felony assault and making criminal threats and plead not guilty on April 6, 2009. If you or anyone you know is in an abusive relationship, you should talk to an adult and get help. It's never alright for your partner to hit you.