It’s twenty degrees in New York, and there are dozens of people sleeping in front of Nokia Theatre in Times Square.
If you’ve been reading the news over the last year, you might be surprised to learn that those people are camped out to see Chris Brown, the 20-year old R&B singer who infamously attacked ex-girlfriend Rihanna following a Grammy’s pre-party back in February.
Brown issued a public apology following the incident, pleaded guilty to a felony assault, and eight months later announced a “Fan Appreciation Tour,” in which a portion of profits benefit domestic violence and disability organizations. But those efforts have come second to a maelstrom of backlash.
Almost immediately, radio stations stopped playing Brown’s music. Brown was forced to withdraw from several high-profile performances, including one at the 2009 Grammy’s. And a photo of Rihanna’s injuries that leaked post-incident triggered everything from domestic violence group outrage to verbal attacks to Brown at his events.
Tuesday’s show, ten months after the attack, had a sold-out audience of 2,100. That group was comprised mostly of teenage girls – some joined by parents, others with friends – but nearly all sporting some type of sign.
“Chris, We Want You To Take Us Down,” one poster read, a reference to single “Take You Down,” off of 2007’s Exclusive.
When Brown gets onstage, it’s no wonder why the fans lined up. Brown is beyond talented: vocally, choreographically; he even performs a spot-on cover of Michael Jackson‘s “Rock With You” and dances seamlessly through “Thriller.” But when I talk to the crowd, one thing is constant.
“I wouldn’t buy his album,” one girl says, when I ask if she’s a Chris Brown fan.
“The man or the music?” asks another.
“If he didn’t hit her, he’d be playing Madison Square Garden tonight,” says yet another attendee.
The fans – though present in droves – are closeted. They love Brown’s music, but they don’t love his person.
Chris Brown is not the first musician with a history of domestic violence (see Bobby Brown, Ike Turner), but you can’t help but notice how much their mistakes have staggered their potential.
Brown took the crowd through two hours of music – everything from 2008’s “Forever” to first single “Run It!” to “Back to the Crib” featuring a cameo by Juelz Santana.
“Where all my single ladies at?” Brown asked the crowd, adding, “You know your boy’s single too.”
Yeah, we know, this writer thought. We also know why.
Personally, I’ve always been a fan of Chris Brown’s music. I used to joke with friends that if you don’t enjoy “No Air,” you might not have a soul. But his actions, as unbiased as a reporter should be, have certainly influenced my opinion of him. You can hit every high note and nail your dance routine, but in my mind, there will always be a scarlet letter on Chris Brown’s forehead.
Can you ever truly divorce the man from the music?
-PI
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