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)

Thursday 24 March

By SoClassy

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I think that it is quite amusing that Charlie Sheen is considered "winning" and Chris Brown is a loser. Really? Charlie Sheen is worth more money and has a wrap sheet as long as the Brooklyn Bridge and yet reports are constantly referring to this mentally challenged man as "winning". Sickening

By Really?!

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Russell, please! Chris is GROWN, and very well make HIS OWN decisions. There are no excuses! Russell is a very intelligent, important mogul in the industry but this is ridiculous of him. Please let Chris continue feeling the scowl of his poor decisions. Regardless that it has been 2 years or whatever, this situation will NEVER erase itself. I like Chris and his music, but his actions outside of that is on him and his brand. In short, Chris quit making apologies AFTER the fact and grow up and take your own responsibilities.

**Tough love**

By mem

I was wondering who would be the first to back Chris Brown, guess Simmons has invested some big money in him. As the father of 2 daughters it's really hard to see him back man who abuses women and needs years of anger management.

By chamootal

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While you're raising your daughters make sure to teach them to respect men, just as men should respect them. I agree a man shouldn't put his hands on a women, but women need to learn to not test a man becuase there's a double-standard.

YES, I'm a women saying this.......

Friday 25 March

By Shanna

Read what you wrote again. Russell Simmons doesn't have any contracts with Chris Brown. How would it make sense that he "has money riding on him" so that's why he's supporting? And what does his family have to do with anything? You guys think that celebrities' lives are up for scrutiny and are your business. It isn't. I focus on the music; therefore, I don't really care what he does, but his only job is to make music, not to seek my approval or yours, either.

By ahoward

Russell understands the act of forgiveness, yes Chris made a mistake, as we all have and yet people are so quick to judge.

By Dee Dee

Wonder if Russellwould be so forgiving if it was one of his daughters that were beaten.

Also wonder.....if he would let his daughter date someone that had beat a woman in the past.

Answer that Mr. Simmons.

By Sam

OH SCREW ALL YOU SELF-RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENTAL PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY YOU WOMEN! LIKE YOU'RE PERFECT? WE KNOW WOMEN PROVOKE MEN AND RIHANNA IS KNOWN TO HAVE AN ATTITUDE SO SCREW YOU! CHRIS IS HUMAN AND RUSSELL MADE VERY VALID POINTS. ALL IS FORGIVEN CHRIS. MOVE ON, SCREW THE HATERS, AND CONTINUE TO BE YOUR BEST!

By tomy

you r absolutely right sam......

By Lisa

the point seems to have sailed over Russell's head. I have lost all respect for him. No one was "shaming" him, that is a shameless cop-out. And two years into his probation is not "the rest of his life"!!! She was asking him about partial resolution to the matter that was recently in the news (aka being a journalist), she noted how he was praised by the judge for his progress (aka not shaming!), after he said he only wanted to talk about the album she started transitioning, seeing if there was a tie-in between his past experience and his new music. There was no shaming. If he feels ashamed talking about his progress and simply being asked if he's had any contact with her (more progress that could help both of them put it behind them, but of course up to her), that's on him. That shows his own hangup. There was also a CONTEXT to the interview which was her past (sympathetic) interview with him. You could see she was treating it as a continuation of that.

Most "artists" I know use their life experiences to inform their art. She appeared to be going in that direction of asking him how what happened related to his new music. Maybe he's not really an artist and she overestimated him. Guy's an epic dork, always making goofy faces and looking like a twit with his stupid outfits.

By Deloris

Thank you Russell Simmons for speaking in support of Chris Brown, who is a very talented artist. Spectators should stopped being so sanctimonious. I think all of us have been beaten in some way whether physically, mentally or emotionally. Rihanna has moved on so why don't you pseudo-righteous people do the same? Get out of Chris Brown's way and let him do his job. Forgive yourself so you can move on.

I think Russell Simmons knows his children better than you. He and his ex raise their girls to respect themselves, which wouldn't put them in the situation Rihanna did.

By Mo

"Let He Who Is Without Sin, cast the first stone..." Now!! All ya’ll need to shut up! Because if it was your brother, father, uncle, or yourself in a similar situatio…you know you would be praying to GOD for a second chance. So leave that man alone!!! It is time to move on and live and let live.

Saturday 26 March

By blahblah

Nah, the men in my fam have manners. ;)

By thooks59

By David Duke

Hey Russell can he date one of your daughters? Hey he's really a good guy Russ!

By jb

Stop defence him , he will alway do things if you keep this up . Rihanna put that order back place.....

By J

Well of course Russell came to his defense, Chris only knows how to throw punches. F.A.M.E was lame, glad I didn't pay for it.

By Sarita Lopez

He is an idiot, and has bad temper with women, I would not trust him with my daugther or any body's daugther.

By Hule1186

I despise people who throw stones when they have just as much mess in their closet as the next person. It's been @ years , let it go people..Why in the world would I harbor bad feelings at a man whom I don't even know and who doesn't know me. What he did has no effect on my life at all. Some people are basket cases on here to be mad at a man they don't even know.

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