(and Still, Maybe, No Career)
Chris Brown Learns ‘No Apology, No Career’, One minute, Chris Brown is the toast of the R&B set, being exalted for his ability to dance, to sing, to imitate Michael Jackson. He is dating another young R&B powerhouse, singer Rihanna, and it looks like they’re going to get married when she walks around in January of 2009 wearing a 20-carat diamond engagement ring.
The next minute, he feels the cuffs snap around his wrists, and probably had just enough time before posting bail to realize that this could be the end of his career. Oh, yeah, and his relationship.
There Is No More Perfect Metaphor.
In February, Chris Brown and Rihanna had the fight that rocked the hip hop world. Whether it was started because Rihanna was jealous that her man was talking to British singer Leona Lewis earlier in the night, or because he got a booty call while they were driving in his rented Lamborghini, Chris Brown ended up beating his girlfriend bloody. Pictures that were released of her injuries were gruesome, and she later told the police that it wasn’t the first time Brown had hit her.
What we know is true is that Chris Brown beat and choked his girlfriend. And he was just stupid enough to do it in public.
Suddenly, he disappears. He is noticeably absent from every event. And, no doubt on the advice of his attorneys, he is keeping his mouth shut.
Then, with the death of Michael Jackson, he finally comes out of hiding to work with Diddy and The Game on a tribute song which ranked just slightly higher on the cheesiness scale than Diddy’s tribute song to the Notorious BIG. Even in the video, however, the spotlight is very clearly on The Game, while Brown looks more like a hooded backup singer.
And then the 2009 BET Awards roll around, with Chris Brown scheduled to participate in another Michael Jackson tribute, since there certainly hadn’t been enough of them at that point. Suddenly, Brown’s name is taken off the list, and he was not permitted to perform, despite his pleading that Michael Jackson was his idol and he felt he needed to show it. Rumors swirled that Jay-Z was pushing BET to keep Brown out of the show. BET was concerned that it would cause too much controversy and take attention away from Michael Jackson, who wasn’t controversial at all.
And now we get a video apology from Brown. Inexplicably wearing a strange red chef’s jacket, Brown spoke openly and honestly about his actions. Well, he spoke about them, anyway.
• He said that what he had done was “inexcusable”. Well, that’s true.
• He also said, “I wish I had the chance to live those few moments again, but unfortunately, I can’t.” Again,that’s true. But that beating had to take more than a few moments.
• He told us that, “I grew up in a home where there was domestic violence, and I saw first-hand what uncontrolled rage could do. I have sought and am continuing to seek help to ensure that what occurred in February can never happen again.” That sounds like excuses. How do you make excuses for something inexcusable? Only Chris Brown knows.
• He ends with, “What I did was unacceptable, 100 percent. I can only ask and pray that you forgive me, please.” Yeah, we’ll think about it and get back to you. Of course, all Michael Jackson had to do to be forgiven for his indiscretions was to die.
What was billed as an ‘apology’ came off sounding more like a desperate boy begging to be allowed to play with the big kids again. Having lost the approval of his friends and family is one thing. But to lose endorsements and the ability to perform at the BET Awards in front of millions? That’s something else altogether.
Hey Chris! Got Milk?