Russell Simmons: 'Chris Brown Is Suffering'

By Zach Dionne Posted Mar 24th 2011 12:12PM

Chris Brown has gotten more buzz for his new album, 'F.A.M.E.,' than he might have ever anticipated. Unfortunately a lot of that buzz came from an outburst this week after an appearance on 'Good Morning America' -- Brown smashed a window, ripped off his shirt and left the premises.

Now hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons is jumping to Brown's defense in a long essay at GlobalGrind.com.

"Chris is suffering from the same thing as almost every young star has gone through, including the Disney kids. And, having lost control, some of these young artists, sometimes, do an unspeakable thing at a moment of time. And they pay the price," Simmons writes. "What's not fair is artists paying the price of the sins in their young lives for the rest of their lives."

"For over 25 years, I have had the privilege to watch some of the greatest living artists create the most powerful cultural movement that America has ever seen," Simmons writes, going on to name-drop Run-D.M.C., Kanye West, LL Cool J and the Beastie Boys by way of introducing Brown. His article continues:

"On Tuesday night, I sat with Chris Brown, one of the greatest performing artists of his time, during his celebration dinner for the release of his new album, 'F.A.M.E.' I know that this young man's dancing, singing and art are his prayers. Without them, he's left to deal with a cluttered world in a way that is far too complicated than he imagined when he was a 13-year-old kid with a dream of being famous. I am troubled by the people, critics and members of the media who drag Chris away from his art. His freedom is deeply rooted in his artistic expression. It is during those seconds of stillness when you're dancing that the Christ/Buddha/Allah/Moses inside of you is awakened and comes to power. This is the freedom Chris knew as a child, but as he rose to fame, finding freedom became a lot more complicated. Coming back home is a very difficult thing. Coming back to being normal, coming back to that pure place of artistry. But, when fame snatches your freedom, the ability to control your own life becomes much more difficult."

The essay goes into a deep meditation on fame. Simmons opines that the many facets of fame detract from artistic and personal freedoms. "You are being pulled away and you lose the perspective that the inside is all happiness, because the outside pulls you to work on the album's marketing and promotion, the business deals, the corporate dinners, the groupies, the rest of the world."

Simmons argues that endless shaming -- even for an act as heavy as Brown's battering of Rihanna -- is not fair. "If we insisted on that there would be no art. There would be only shame; there would be no learning, no redemption, there would be no road for millions of fans to travel the journey of the artist to enlightenment. It would negate the very purpose of art itself which is to reconcile, through a redeeming journey, the intractable contradictions in life and society. This is something I have fought for all my life."

For those keeping score, Brown apologized for his post-'GMA' outburst, speaking with BET's '106 and Park.' "I took it very, very hard," he said of his reaction. "I kept my composure throughout the whole interview ... And when I got back I just let off steam in the back. I didn't physically hurt anyone. I just wanted to release the anger inside me. I got very emotional." He added his frustration came from all the hard work he put into his album.

Simmons closes his piece with a simple plea: "I'm just saying, give this man a break. I spoke to him last night for a long time and I know how good of a young man he is."

Read the full essay at GlobalGrind >>

Russell Simmons chats with PopEater:

Tags: Chris Brown, Russell Simmons

Comments

(77)

Friday 25 March

By Raz

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You are right about Charlie Sheen. He has gotten away with so much over the years that most of us would have been put away for a zillion times over.

On the other hand, if we did what Chris Brown did and broke a window, we would not only have to pay for it we would be standing in front of a judge.

Chris Brown better get used to having people ask about Rihanna pretty much for the rest of his life. Just like Jim Baker is asked about PTL, Liz Taylor was asked about busting up Eddie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds and Whitney about Bobby Brown.

Thursday 24 March

By getreal13

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The difference is that Charlie just rolls with the punches, and Chris acts like a big baby about it. They have been giving Charlie way more sh*t than they have Chris Brown. Charlie just knows how to take it. If Chris starts learning how not to let stuff bother him so much, it will take him a long way.

By Kathy

I don't think Charlie Sheen is hilarious. I never did. But a lot fewer people think it now.

By JULES

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Is that what ill-behavior is referred to these days...suffering?? There's always quite an excuse, isn't there...Kanye West, Jr. I will be so glad when we move on from this era of talent-less thugs.

Sunday 27 March

By Nmimsy

Amen to that, I hope ABC rethinks putting him on DWTS. The only place he should be booked is the nearest jail.

By rob

There are 100 in line just as talented as Chris Brown ready to take his place.
You think he cares about not getting angry? He cares about continuing to get big bucks is all he cares about.
I dont mean to offend tattoo people but logic tells us that any 20 year old who has his entire chest covered with tattoos has some anger issues.Or is that too radical a concept?

By Duh Loser

Chris Brown is hurting? omg pu-leeeeeeaze, he doesn't know what pain is. Chris Brown = Duh LOSER!

By David

Chris Brown has demonstrated on Good Morning America just how much he has grown as a man since his Rhianna incident. Zero. Which is exactly the number I would attach to him, his efforts, his entire life up until now. If people (Mr. Simmons) are going to excuse his behavior then they are the ones responsible later if Chris Brown decides to escalate his behavior. My personal opinion is that he's a lame brain jerk who has to create chaos to be noticed because his talent is so weak.

By GingerTee

I don't think anyone excused Chris's behavior, he just understands it. Those are 2 totally different things

By nello

Why the Rodman look? Please grow up and be yourself.

By tomy

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yeah, give him a break

By tomastesfay96

yeah, leave him alone,,,,,,,,,,,,

By Annie

Yes, Chris Brown is hurting and suffering....FROM LACK OF RECORD SALES AND MONEY. He has NOT learned a thing about out of control anger which can be directed toward men as well as women. Anger is anger. Violence is violence. Totally unacceptable.

By Ted

Yes we know, he suffers from stupidity.

By Theresa

While I don't think it was appropriate for Chris to still throw temper tantrums at his age, I would like to point out that he 1) never hit anybody and 2) did not disrespect the interviewer during the broadcast or at any time.

I also question the extreme double-standard going on right now where Charlie Sheen can choke people, destroy entire hotel rooms, throw epic temper tantrums and consistently act like a crazy, disturbed child for years on end and people clamour for him to have HIS job back, yet the same people bash Chris to hell for throwing ONE temper tantrum since his legal trouble began. Why can Charlie Sheen get fifty-leven changes, yet Chris Brown can't get ONE? What is the root cause of the double-standard here?

PS: I'm a black woman, too. Does anybody care? Does it matter? I didn't think so.

By fowlerno1ins

Just can't leave the race card alone, can you?

By mintchocolatekisses

I'm still waiting to hear how this situation is so different from others who engage in the same behavior. Chris Brown is only 22 years old. He made a mistake. I would even say that he may have anger management issues. Yet, the other hot-head in the news is 45 years old and just did the EXACT same thing as Chris Brown did six months ago. I'm seeing the same screen name(s) posting expletives about Chris and talking about him being a lifelong loser (paraphrasing), yet Charlie Sheen is winning. Then, when I point out the double-standard, I'm accused of playing the race card. This isn't a race-card-play, it's a fact. One man (who is middle age) gets arrested for domestic violence and destruction of property, takes no personal responsibility for his actions, then blames his bosses for finally taking action (as any employer would do) and he's "winning." A second man (who is barely a legal adult) gets arrested for domestic violence, takes full responsibility, does his time, is guilty of one more incident of destruction of property, but he's a loser. Same situation, different reactions. What's the explanation for that?

By YellowRose3218

Some people dont get it.
Chris is very lucky he didnt kill someone on the side walk.
Chris is a loser, now everyone can see.
Anyone trying to take up for him is as bad, or have no real education as to how dangerous this kind of guy can be. Anyone who feels the need to throw, punch, or hit something, to get rid of the anger is walking time bomb. Chris has not changed at all, never will it sounds like. The guy is a coward, theres really no other word to describe him after the other day.
Ladies, avoid this guy, hes no man for sure.

Piece of trash.What a freak.

By Let it go

It funny how Rhianna can forgive him but the world can't. She don't bring it up no more but the world still do. But if his records was not selling and he was begging for money to live than he would be all good in America's eye. James Brown, Al Green, Charlie Sheen just to name a few all hit woman and they was talked about for a few than was left a long but you all just can't let Chris live. Yes he need's anger management, but as long as he has hater's like aka1997,Duh Loser,David,tony,Dr.M,GtfooHere,LarryLopez,doneldathomas,jonmarie1640,GV,Mike,jules,rob,msdrtmover. So with all you hating on him you just makes his life better so keep hating. HATERS!!!!!!!!!!!

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