Just 18, Virginia star has album, movies, area show in works
Friday, Jun 22, 2007 – 12:07 AM
By MELISSA RUGGIERI
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER
Most of us hear from our relatives on our birthdays.
Chris Brown got a call from Michael Jackson.
Brown, the Tappahannock native/R&B superstar/budding actor/agreeable poster boy has experienced an insane couple of years — the No. 1 singles (“Run It!,” “Say Goodbye”), the Grammy Award nomination and performance, the 2-millionselling, self-titled debut album.
So really, how surprising is it that the King of Pop — an obvious idol of Brown’s — reached out last month to bestow 18th-birthday wishes on the Can-Do Kid?
On Aug. 28, Brown will attempt to keep his sizzle streak going with the release of “Exclusive.” His second album already has buzz thanks to the swaggering first single, “Wall 2 Wall,” which Brown released to radio himself, much to the chagrin of his record label, Jive.
But these days, when you’re Chris Brown, you have some clout.
On Sunday, Brown plays a sort-of homecoming concert at Kings Dominion. (He recently relocated to Montpelier because it’s “secluded and close to home.”) In October, he’ll embark on a full-fledged tour to support “Exclusive.”
Calling from his hotel room in New York — and in between bites of food — Brown talked about his new album, the next step for his movie career and what was up with the Jackson call.
You’ve got quite a lineup of people helping on your new album [Will.I.Am, Bryan-Michael Cox]. What was it like working with Pharrell Williams, a fellow Virginia guy?
We’re just trying to do it up real big, go to the next level. [Pharrell and I] haven’t worked together yet, but probably in the next couple of weeks. Right now he’s getting the right songs together.
Do you think you’ll do that recording in Virginia Beach?
Probably. Or whatever studio he’s near at the time.
What’s changed the most for you in the two years between doing your first album and this one?
The recognition and being able to do a lot more with my music and ideas and stuff. I haven’t really changed my sound — it just shows growth and maturity. It’s something new from Chris Brown.
I hear you have some go-go music on the album. Are you a Chuck Brown fan?
Little bit. I just wanted something for the Virginia fans. He always had the parties rocking, and I wanted to go back to the roots of the party spots, like they do up in Fredericksburg and Richmond.
You’ve talked to Michael Jackson about being on the album, correct?
We talked. We’re putting everything together, seeing what might be the best option. He might come through for my record.
Had you met him before?
I met him during the World Music Awards. He was backstage, I performed and after that I went and met him. He was real cool, and he called me for my birthday. It was a surprise, and right then we talked about how we might do something.
Is [first single] “Wall 2 Wall” a good representation of what your life is like when you go out now?
It’s a little bit like that, but a little less cocky. My shows . . . they’re crazy with all the girls. But I wanted to make a record that was hot for the summer and that the fellows could dig.
Were you upset that the song was leaked to radio a couple of weeks ago?
I wasn’t upset at the song being leaked, ’cause I was one of the ones that leaked it! I wanted to go forward with it.
Has anything changed since you turned 18?
Not at all. I was thinking it would be a big difference, me being 18. But it’s the same, just with more responsibility.
Tell me about your movie coming out this fall, “This Christmas.”
It’s basically a family Christmas movie, the Christmas movie version of “Soul Food.” I play Baby, the baby of the family. I’m a singer and I want to pursue my music, but my mom has a problem with it in the movie. It’s a heartfelt thing.
I take it you and co-star Columbus Short [with whom Brown starred in "Stomp the Yard"] enjoy working together?
We’re like brothers when it comes to movies. We always have great chemistry. The outtakes would just find us laughing and having the best time.
What about the basketball movie “Phenom”?
I’ll probably shoot that this time next year, after the tour.
Will you have to train at all, or do you already play a lot now?
Just doing these shows and working out on tour seems to be OK. They might need me to add some muscle. We bring a basketball [setup] with us everywhere, so I’m always playing.
What can your fans expect from your live show?
I don’t want to give out surprises, but there’s the band, the whole nine yards. Eight or nine dancers. We rock out and have a lot of fun.
Contact Melissa Ruggieri at (804) 649-6120 or mruggieri@timesdispatch.com.
SOURCE InRich
