My Issue w/ the Infamous CB

No. Its not that he beat Rihanna. Yes, I was apart of the plethora of people who stopped listening to his music & completely stopped checking for him for awhile after the incident. But my problems with him go deeper than his personal affairs, more so his career and abandonment of R&B.

Chris Brown bursted on the scene in 2005 w/ the single 'Run It,' a fresh R&B voice that electrified young girls everywhere. He rode this wave with dance moves and swag that appealed to the masses. He was R&B, undoubtedly, with some crossover success but nonetheless had solid roots in R&B.

Then, that infamous night in Feb 2009 came along and he obviously fell off, rushed back with Graffiti which underwhelmed but again did not neglect R&B. After the death of legend Michael Jackson, Brown was able to win his way back into hearts after a tear filled performance of Jackson's "Man in the Mirror." - Even mine. I was like "this guy deserves a second chance & we must move on"

He came back with F.A.M.E in 2011 - standing for For All My Enemies. THIS is where my problems begin to lie.

Enemies, Chris? Why would you have enemies? Because people feel that brutal domestic violence is unacceptable and intolerable. Because people have convictions & you happen to be a media figured forced to be held under those standards and be scrutinized because of your mistakes? I thought this demonstrated a lack of maturity or growth. A scapegoat to change the focus of his wrong doings to blame the public and his naysayers for essentially blaming him for his wrong doings.

Then, the morning I go to still support the F.A.M.E album, TMZ reports CB had thrown a chair out of the Good Morning America dressing room window. Why? Due to frustration of journalist Robin Roberts line of questioning regarding Rihanna and the infamous night. Again, Chris showed a lack of growth. Whether he felt frustrated or misled, didn't he twitpic a photo of completing some sort of anger management course weeks before this outburst? He acted like a young adolescent missing or lacking a full frontal lobe.

Now, to the music - My main issue. Why has he abandoned R&B? I know so many are going to argue that so many artists are finding success and sales in being appealing to crossover genres. That's fine. Usher did it with O.M.G & Nicki Minaj is a the epitome of it. But nonetheless on both Usher and Nicki's albums they go back to their core for the most part. Usher gave us core R&B for a majority of his CD. CB gave us "She Ain't You" and maybe 3 other tracks. "Beautiful People" and "Yeah 3X" were pop, dance joints with no soul or rhythm an blues

Beyond his genre confusion. What is this voice? This light voice that hasn't evolved since "Ya Man Ain't Me." This voice that rivals Justin Beiber currently, at best. It seems like CB has done no vocal honing. I take great offense when artists think I will continue to support them and their work, when they do nothing to evolve. I also take offense when people don't see their potential or don't take advantage of their natural talent. Don't take it for granted but instead, take lessons & better understand your instrument. Chris hasn't done that. He shows no grit or emotion in ANYTHING.

R&B is a struggling genre on its own. The artists who have their groundings in the genre and fan allegiance there are frustrating when they choose to join voices with David Guetta for a hit.

These are my issues with CB. Lets see what Fortune has to offer (even though he's chosen to do little to no promotion - probably to avoid my Robin Roberts - real mature).

Dangerous Cycle or Hopeless Romantic?

I don't quite feel like I'm in the friend zone, but I damn sure ain't dating this girl. So, where exactly do I stand? Because I can pretty much speak to where she stands for me. This just seems dangerously close to many other situations I've experienced in the past. Where I feel like I'm just being kept around because I know I'm a good catch but to all the way commit to me.. Why would you? I'm there just as if you're my only one. I'm giving you all of me, but its unwarranted. You've done nothing to earn such loyalty, care, & compassion from me. But this is what I give my friends, just obviously not in a romantic way. This is me. Loyal. Hmm.. I gotta start thinking of me first & foremost, because we know that's your tactic.

I'm Back, But, I Never Left

My first year of college is done. I'm now back in the home I waited on the acceptance letter in. The home I did high school homework at. The home where I was scolded and given curfews. Have I changed much? Have I evolved a great deal? I would love to say yes. But I don't necessarily feel as if I have. I feel like I had an a pretty strong grip on life before I left and I was just exposed to different situations, not necessarily new ones. I met different people, not more evolved ones. I had high expectations for college, especially at a UC, and its attendees. They were broken down by Winter Break. Soo.. now I sit & reflect. Academically, I enjoyed first semester. Gained some basic knowledge in introductory politics (things I should have learned if I paid any sort of attention in AP Government senior yr), I finally found the founding of American history interesting. & I quickly learned the ropes of how to interact w/ professionals on a collegiate level. I don't feel like a brand new college going human being! I'm still a virgin. I still haven't been in that serious, committed relationship I seek so vigorously. I'm a person back home w/ new stories to tell the friends I've acquired over the yrs. Hmm.. have I hit my evolutionary peek or do I give myself too much credit?

Attempts at a "Nigga Mentality"

Its always funny to me when girls claim to have been hurt so badly in the past that they have a wall up & inevitably (some admittedly) pick up a "nigga mentality." The funny thing is, I don't even have that mentality. I can't. I'm not capable. I have a conscience. I think about others ALONG w/ myself. Hmm.. my bad? No, I'm not going to change because that is the expectations of males. While I really did/do like you, you're selfish. You're probably selfish because of your hurt or life happenings that shaped you this way, but I've demonstrated the qualities of a true gentleman and almost been a complete open book. Therefore, I didn't deserve to be forced to play a role on your continuously developing "team" as you believe this "talking" thing is a game where dudes should know their role. I was never quite sure what mine was. I suppose I'm still too mature even when dealing w/ an older girl. Shame, shame.

Choices..

American Idol is considering Jessica Simpson as Simon Cowell's replacement. At first glance, some may question it or immediately write it off. I don't. I think it'd be brilliant and give the show an extra pick up it needs after dismal seasons, with even more dismal ratings. She's in the industry. She's young, beautiful, and goofy. I would watch this season, even after swearing it off when hearing of Simon's departure. Now, its time to hear that Ryan Seacrest will be Larry King's successor, not Piers Morgan. Ugh.

Decision Time

Lebron James, go to Chicago. If you look at his style play, Derrick Rose & Joakim Noah compliment it so well. With Derrick Rose being one of the premiere point guards in the league & Noah improving yearly, maturity and skill wise, Lebron & the rest of the team has real potential to be championship contenders within the next year or 2. The ridiculous idea to get Bosh, Wade, & Lebron together is as absurd as there is not enough to even make the deal possible. Not only because of their egos, but they're habits on the court, ball handling, and skills levels do not mesh to be championship material. As every knowledgeable sports analyst has harped on, it takes roll players, the Derrick Fishers, Robert Horrys, & Kendrick Perkins type players to win a championship, these mega stars aren't the solution to the frustration of no rings. Lebron James never really had a coach whom he could respect and truly guided him. Its unfortunate, but Mike Brown let Lebron tell him how much he would handle the ball, who would take that last shot, who would drive & kick. He wasn't coached. Now, we'll see his true potential and ability to be a team player wherever he decides to go, because even if he stays with Cleavland, Byron Scott is a coach. But, Lebron, go to Chicago, do what's best for you. You cannot babysit your mother for the rest of your career/life.

Sincerity

..He finally showed it. The Larry King interview, the teleprompter inspired public address, the song, Crawl, none of it seemed sincere, a sincere apology to not only Rihanna, but to his fans who lost regard for him. Last night's BET Awards '10 performance was though. As the most appropriate current artist to do a Michael Jackson tribute, Chris Brown was invited to do so. I'm sure BET envisioned this as somewhat of a momentous redemption, but not in the way it was. Singing Man in the Mirror, appropriately titled, Chris Brown could barely utter words through his tears, not of crying, but bawling. I believe it was bigger than Michael, unfortunately, but necessarily. Chris felt love from the audience, his peers, his mentors, for the first time in nearly 16 months. His premature attempt at a comeback with Graffiti failed and he could book no appearances, so this, this was a big deal & he needed it. He needed it along with his acceptance "speech" stating he'd let us down before, but "Won't do it again." As upset and unforgiving as I was, its time to move on & let an artist bloom to his full potential. Good for you, CB.