The Evolution of Chris Brown

Following Breezy's roller coaster ride to stardom.

Power Ballad – November 22, 2011 - Let’s just say Breezy’s award tour got started at the BET Awards 2011 and from there he delivered a string of standout high-energy performances at music’s top award shows. This past November he laid down a heartfelt rendition of his love ballad “All Back."(Photo: MARIO ANZUONI/Landov)

1 / 13

The Evolution of Chris Brown - Chris Brown needs no introduction to our loyal readers. You know all about Breezy — he's one of pop music's biggest superstars. But do you know how he got here? Click on to follow Chris Brown's tumultuous journey to the top.(Photo: REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni)

The Evolution of Chris Brown - Christopher Maurice Brown was born on May 5, 1989, in the small town of Tappahannock, Virginia. With Michael Jackson as inspiration, he taught himself to sing and dance at a young age. Recognizing his precocious talents, his mom became his manager, and helped him sign a record deal when he was just 15 years old.(Photo: Erik S. Lesser/Getty Images)

2 / 13

The Evolution of Chris Brown - Christopher Maurice Brown was born on May 5, 1989, in the small town of Tappahannock, Virginia. With Michael Jackson as inspiration, he taught himself to sing and dance at a young age. Recognizing his precocious talents, his mom became his manager, and helped him sign a record deal when he was just 15 years old.(Photo: Erik S. Lesser/Getty Images)

"Run It!" Bolts to the Top of the Charts - Chris Brown took the music world by storm with his self-titled debut, led by the hit single "Run It!" in 2005. The song was so much of a hit that it snagged the No. 1 spot on Billboard's Hot 100 chart on November 26, 2005. The song also topped the U.S. Pop Songs chart, the U.S. Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs and U.S. Radio Songs charts and was certified platinum. This was only the beginning.(Photo: JIVE Records)

3 / 13

The Evolution of Chris Brown - In 2005, Breezy dropped his first single "Run It!" featuring Juelz Santana. The hard-edged, Scott Storch-produced banger eventually rose to No. 1, making CB the third male act ever to have his debut single top the charts.(Photo: Jive Records)

The Evolution of Chris Brown - With "Run It!" living up to its name, Chris's self-titled debut album eventually sold over two million copies.(Photo: Jive Records)

4 / 13

The Evolution of Chris Brown - With "Run It!" living up to its name, Chris's self-titled debut album eventually sold over two million copies.(Photo: Jive Records)

Lighting Up the Screen in 2007's Stomp the Yard - Brown made his big screen debut when he was just 18 years old in this dance-based film, in which he played Columbus Short's little brother. Though he wasn't the lead, it was hard not to take notice of Brown and his talent on the dance floor. (Photo: Rainforest Films)

5 / 13

The Evolution of Chris Brown - Hollywood saw CB's acting potential early on. In 2007, he landed his first film role, in the dance-focused film Stomp the Yard. The film capped off a big year for Breezy, who landed another No. 1 hit ("Kiss Kiss") and another double-play LP (Exclusive).(Photo: Rainforest Films)

ADVERTISEMENT
/content/dam/betcom/images/2012/03/Music-03-16-03-31/032612-music-rihanna-chris-brown.jpg

6 / 13

The Evolution of Chris Brown - The spotlight on Chris only shined brighter when he and pop star girlfriend Rihanna went public — very public — with their relationship.(Photo: Scott Gries/Getty Images)

"Skandalouz"  - Chris Brown's squeaky-clean image was erased forever on the eve of the Grammys three years ago, when he brutally assaulted Rihanna. In his place, we have the scandal-ridden Breezy of 2012. This classic Tupac and Nate Dogg duet is the perfect song for the awful incident and Chris' transition. (Photo: Courtesy Twitter)

7 / 13

The Evolution of Chris Brown - Chris and Rih Rih seemed like a perfect match — until Grammy night 2009, when Brown beat up his girlfriend during an argument in L.A. Brown pleaded guilty to assault later that year and was sentenced to probation, community labor and counseling.(Photos: Ben Hider/PictureGroup; INFphoto.com)

The Evolution of Chris Brown - Chris got on the comeback trail with his third album, Graffiti, later that year, which featured the Swizz Beatz–produced monster hit "I Can Transform Ya," featuring Lil Wayne.(Photo: Jive Records)

8 / 13

The Evolution of Chris Brown - Chris got on the comeback trail with his third album, Graffiti, later that year, which featured the Swizz Beatz–produced monster hit "I Can Transform Ya," featuring Lil Wayne.(Photo: Jive Records)

The Evolution of Chris Brown - Unfortunately, for Chris Brown, one step forward has sometimes also meant a step back. After a heated 2011 interview on ABC's Good Morning America in which Brown was asked repeatedly about Rihanna, he became violently angry during a commercial break, damaging a backstage window and then storming off the set shirtless.(Photo: INFphoto.com)

9 / 13

The Evolution of Chris Brown - Unfortunately, for Chris Brown, one step forward has sometimes also meant a step back. After a heated 2011 interview on ABC's Good Morning America in which Brown was asked repeatedly about Rihanna, he became violently angry during a commercial break, damaging a backstage window and then storming off the set shirtless.(Photo: INFphoto.com)

First No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart - He was in the industry for six years and already a household name when CB got his first No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 chart. F.A.M.E. came out in 2011, and it changed everything for Brown.(Photo: RCA) 

10 / 13

The Evolution of Chris Brown - Breezy's reactions online and in the press to the criticism often backfired, but musically speaking, his response was hugely successful — his 2011 album F.A.M.E. debuted at No. 1.(Photo: Jive Records)

ADVERTISEMENT
1. Chris Brown ft. Busta Rhymes and Lil Wayne "Look at Me Now" - The breakout hit that introduced the world to Chris Brown the lyricist also served as a reminder to fans that Busta still has “it.” (Photo: Courtesy of Jive Records)

11 / 13

The Evolution of Chris Brown - F.A.M.E. was highlighted by the mind-bending hit "Look at Me Now," featuring Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes, which was BET.com's pick for best song of 2011.(Photo: Jive Records)

The Evolution of Chris Brown - After months of rumors, Rihanna and Chris Brown seemingly reconciled with Breezy's appearance on the remix to her sultry hit "Birthday Cake" earlier this year.(Photos: Michael Kovac/Getty Images; Dave Hogan/Getty Images)

12 / 13

The Evolution of Chris Brown - After months of rumors, Rihanna and Chris Brown seemingly reconciled with Breezy's appearance on the remix to her sultry hit "Birthday Cake" earlier this year.(Photos: Michael Kovac/Getty Images; Dave Hogan/Getty Images)

The Evolution of Chris Brown - With Chris Brown's triumphant return to the 2012 Grammys — he performed twice and took home hardware for Best R&B Album — is Breezy finally moving beyond his troubled past? We hope so, and we'll be updating this timeline as the Evolution of Chris Brown continues.(Photo: Frank Micelotta/PictureGroup)

13 / 13

The Evolution of Chris Brown - With Chris Brown's triumphant return to the 2012 Grammys — he performed twice and took home hardware for Best R&B Album — is Breezy finally moving beyond his troubled past? We hope so, and we'll be updating this timeline as the Evolution of Chris Brown continues.(Photo: Frank Micelotta/PictureGroup)