Chris Brown's Only Hope Is Talent, Not Tears

By Ben Widdicombe Posted Jun 28th 2010 03:17PM

Chris Brown is quite an emotional guy. Sometimes he expresses it by swinging his fists at Rihanna, and sometimes -- like the BET Awards Sunday night -- with tears on stage during a Michael Jackson tribute.

But after being treated to the waterworks, which interrupted Brown's set about five minutes in, his audience was left wondering whether they'd seen the real deal or just a stage-managed attempt to worm himself back into the public affection.

So was he being honest or not?

Brown's tragedy is obvious every time he gets on stage -- a phenomenally talented artist, undone by his own cruel behavior. He has made few such high-profile appearances since a fight with Rihanna before the 2009 Grammys canceled both of their scheduled performances at that event. What followed was a curious PR-driven dance with the public (including a tantalizing sighting of the couple together after the incident), which culminated in Brown's July 2009 apology video.

What Brown will have for many years to come -- if not the rest of his life -- is a credibility problem. After the video apology, many fans thought his real regret was for the career-threatening mess he'd gotten himself into, rather than the bruises he left on Rihanna.

So when he sheds tears on stage for Michael Jackson, we don't trust him. Even if they're real, who is the pain really for? His lost mentor, Michael, or for the messed up last 16 months of his own life, every bit of which was his own fault?

It doesn't help that the catalyst for his performance was the late King of Pop, a man whose own sincerity was often questioned by the media. The Jackson family is show business down to the very core, as Michael's massively-produced memorial service last July demonstrated (an event where even Saint Usher's motives were questioned when he cried during a tribute song). So the razzle-dazzle of showbiz is always going to add a layer of smoke-and-mirrors to Brown's message.

AOL Black Voices columnist Jawn Murray was in the BET Awards audience for the performance. "There wasn't a dry eye in the house last night. Everyone was bawling tears," he told PopEater. "I genuinely believe that people felt the sincerity in his performance. And there was such a genuineness in his inability to sing that song that people identified with."

But Murray also thinks that Brown's personal situation was a big part of the emotion. "I think he recognized that last night was his last shot. He hasn't been working and he doesn't get any air play -- when he does appear, it's at hole-in-the-wall venues. Last night was about bringing all the elements together."

We also have to ask whether the public will be prepared to forgive Brown, even if he deserves it. Unfortunately, his history with Rihanna plays into a racist stereotype of young black men being violent and dangerous, and somehow a menace to society. African American leaders have long argued that this cultural bias keeps the prisons unfairly stocked full of young black men. But it seems unlikely that the non-black, music-buying public will be prepared to examine their own feelings toward Brown in the same light.

It seems clear that Brown's one way out of this maze-of-his-own-making is the brute force of his talent: a number one album is the only way to change the conversation. (Charlie Sheen's estranged wife took a restraining order out on him after a domestic incident in December, but the fact that 'Two And A Half Men' is a top-rated show has lent him a layer of Teflon. And, of course, he's not a young black man.)

Like Tiger Woods, the public will forgive and support Brown if he can get to the top and stay there. But if he falls back into the pack, then his destiny is to become Ike Turner.

Perhaps the symbol of Brown's comeback, if he can pull it off, should be a bottle of Johnson's Baby Shampoo. Clean yourself up, buddy -- and please, No More Tears.

Tags: Chris Brown, Rihanna

Comments

(66)

Monday 28 June

By RLS

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"We also have to ask whether the public will be prepared to forgive Brown, even if he deserves it. Unfortunately, his history with Rihanna plays into a racist stereotype of young black men being violent and dangerous, and somehow a menace to society. African American leaders have long argued that this cultural bias keeps the prisons unfairly stocked full of young black men. But it seems unlikely that the non-black, music-buying public will be prepared to examine their own feelings toward Brown in the same light."

That was a very stupid and racist paragraph. Perhaps if there were a single non-white person on the staff, claptrap like that wouldn't have been able to make it through. Stick to Lindsay Lohan's leggings and the Kardashians' latest nosejob and leave the dime-store racial pontificating at home, Ben.

By Mrs. Wadley

They to give the kid a break, everyone makes mistakes. I am not saying what he did was correct, but I think he has learned his lesson. Bigger people than Chris have done worst, there is no reason to end this young man's career. Society needs to lighten up, and give the kid another chance, and stop condemning him.

By denisejb54

IF GOD CAN FORGIVE A PERSON SEVENTY TIMES SEVENTY WHY CAN'T CHRIS BROWN BE FORGIVEN FOR WHAT HE DONE. I DON'T CONDONE WHAT HE DID BUT WHY DID IT GET TO THAT POINT IN THE FIRST PLACE. I AM SURE ALL OF YOU HAVE MADE A MISTAKE THAT YOU HAVE DONE AND YOU ASK GOD TO FORGIVE YOU WHICH HE DID. BUT LIKE MICHEAL JACKSON WROTE THE SONG ABOUT THE MAN IN THE MIRROR A LOT OF YOU NEED TO LOOK AT THAT MAN OR WOMAN IN THE MIRROR AND SEE WHAT YOU SEE. AND I AM SURE YOU WILL SEE SOME OF THE MISTAKES THAT YOU HAVE MADE. DONOT CONDONE A PERSON UNTIL YOU HAVE WALK IN THAT PERSON SHOES YOUSELF. CHRIS BROWN DOES DESERVE ANOTHER CHANCE AND MAYBE THIS TIME HE WILL BE CAREFUL WITH WHO HE DATE'S THE NEXT TIME AROUND.

Tuesday 29 June

By Tell It Like It Is

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RLS - VERY WELL STATED! LOVE IT!! 100%, RIGHT ON NAIL HEAD!!! YOU GO!!!!!

By take4443

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'man in the mirror' was a bit pandersome to say the least especially with the tearful theatrics. oh brother

jimmy swaggert, meet chris brown

By John G.

the problem with brown is not his skin color, leave race out of it.
the problem is he's a pc of s**t who beat up a girl, sooooo f**k Chris brown !!!

By mommanneta

could someone please explain the point in this article,about Chris Brown.I would like to hear more about his present tribute to the KING OF POP,then his past character.We don't know what our future holds,we just know who holds our future.GOD SAVE AMERICA!!!

Wednesday 30 June

By katmandu

If Rhinna can move on, why can't the public. Agreed what Chris Brown did was wrong, he paid his debt. Now move on, let him be the entertainer he wants to be. He was memoralizing Michael Jackson, he did a great job. He was emotional, and I think he did a great job, it brought back memories of The King of Pop and his unforgettable videos and songs. God has forgiven him, why don't we try to as well. If he IS faking all this, he will be judged by a higher power. Lets all move on, and remember the TRUE reason for the dedication.

By Amber Clark

Okay, first off let me say that I am a HUGE Chris Brown fan and my voice will be heard. His performance at the BET Awards was genuine and honest. There was nothing fake about his tears. If the person who influenced your life the most died and the public wouldn't let you pay a tribute to him until a year later I think you would be in tears as well. His incident with his former girlfriend is in the past it was over a year ago and everyone needs to get over it. He apologized so leave him alone and get on with your lives, everyone makes mistakes. What he did on that stage Sunday night was every bit of real, not to win back your hearts. He just wanted to show love to the man who influenced his career and I respect that.

By rex

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Yo amber, has anyone ever told you that
YOUR A LEGEND IN YOUR OWN MIND

By April

I totally agree!

By LADY T

RIGHT ON SISTA I AGREE WITH YOU!!! LEAVE CHRIS BROWN ALONE HE IS A GREAT ENTERTAINER!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Amber C.

To: Rex
Sorry hun, no one has ever called me that. I don't believe I am, I'm just letting my opinion be heard. Sorry if you don't like it.

By Apple

Amber...You Said It All! Thank You Girl...To many People are just plain fake and they write with hate in their hearts unfortuabtely for the haters it's probably a reflection of who they see in the mirror! Chris Brown is a kid and he has paid huge for his poor judgement, now it's time to move forward with forgiveness! Chris Brown is one of the Most Talented Performers around and deserves a chance to grow into the man he was created to be!

By LusciousDC

What does the issue with him and Rihanna have to do with whether or not he was sincere when he performed for the awards show? His feelings about what happened between him and Rihanna are NOT the same as what he felt for his mentor. Why do people have to make such a big deal out of nothing. Let this young man get back to his business of being an entertainer. I still don't believe that Rihanna didn't deserve what she got and I am a female. From all accounts she initiated the hands-on portion of the argument. I don't care what you say to me or about me, but if a woman steps into a man's position and hits a man she deserves to get hit back. Some women think they can put their hands on men without repercussions. Women remember this: If you are NOT in a abusive relationship and you put your hands on your man, chances are you might get hit back. Keep your hands to yourself. if you ARE in an abusive relationship -- GET OUT NOW!!!!!!

By raystar

you would be crying to, if your behavior had cost you as many millions as this dudes has!

By magusap

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I PITTY THE MAN. Once a woman better always a woman better. I hope he gets help...

By Katrina

You need to learn how to spell!

By peachyz

the word is beater not better,,,so rabbit
chris did a good job at imitating michael,,but i would rather see jay-z and beyonce

By Denise

His perfomance was amazing, he's young and should be forgiven. Think about all the mistakes you have made before being so judgmental folks. Non of us are perfect we all have made mistakes. He's a very talent artist and I believe he deserves a second chance. START WITH THE MAN IN THE MIRROR, WOULD YOU WANT TO BE FORGIVEN?

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