Chris Brown

It's not because of the irresistible banger that is "Kiss Kiss," and it's not because he's rounded up a guest roster that reaches across the hip-hop universe and pulls T-Pain, Big Boi, and Kanye into orbit: Exclusive solidifies Chris Brown's rise in modern R&B circles because it's a tight, stylish album that reeks of major-career potential. Yes, he's straddling the grown and sexy thing even though he's not yet out of his teens (see "With You," "You," and "I Wanna Be"), and yes, he's pulled in a lot of different directions by a lot of top-tier producers, Scott Storch, the Underdogs, and Will.i.am among them. But the thing that'll grab longtime R&B listeners about Exclusive is the way it hangs together--Brown can belt or go breezy with the best of them, and he doesn't strain for credulity even when faced with lyrics more suited to R. Kelly's wised-up vocal caliber (see "Take You Down"). Last go-round, on his debut, Brown was a hotshot. This time he's just hot. --Tammy La Gorce

He's a lot like the 16-year-old boy living in the house next door to you: one minute he's five-foot-seven, the next he's 6'1. One minute he's a cute little boy trying to dribble a basketball, the next a superstar point guard. One minute he's ducking under the covers pleading for five more minutes of shut-eye, the next he's racing through a day full of recording, performances and interviews. With his easy-going demeanor and schoolboy charm, Chris Brown could easily be somebody that you know. With his incredible voice and a debut cd laced with clever lyrics, hypnotic tracks and impeccable vocals, he's someone that the world will soon know. Chris isn't part of some A-list producer's camp. Nor does he hail from any of those famous urban music hubs like NYC, Compton or the ATL. Straight from Tappahannock, VA --- population 2000 -- Chris Brown proves that real talent, persistence and charisma still have a place in the music industry. One listen to Chris' 16-year-old voice and you're tempted to draw comparisons: Michael Jackson, Tevin Campbell, and Usher. But listen a bit longer and those comparisons begin to dissipate as it becomes clear that, while Chris certainly channels the creativity of those who have come before him, he definitely has a style, a flavor and a place in music that are all his own. His debut CD Young Love takes us on a journey through the malls, parties and teen hangouts as Chris covers a variety of subjects: A girl that he's dying to hit the dance floor with. A girl that's got another man. A girl that has him totally and completely head over heels in love. It's an album about young boys, young girls -- Young Love. In selecting songs for Young Love, Chris said he simply relied on his own sense of what was hot and what was real for him and his peers. "When I hear these songs, I feel something. I know I can relate to them. I take myself out of the artist box and I become an audience member and I critique myself." Chris got his musical initiation early on, inspired by what he refers to as the "eclectic" taste of his parents and soaking in the sounds of his favorites: Michael Jackson, Sam Cooke, Stevie Wonder, Donnie Hathaway, Anita Baker, and Aretha Franklin. But, like most young boys, Chris was soon drawn to rap and was certain that he would be the first emcee to put Tappahannock on the map. "I was rapping," he recalls. "I didn't understand that I could sing until I was like 11 or 12. My mom heard me singing around the house and she said, 'What are you doing? You really can sing!' So then I started going to school and singing to the girls." By the time he was 13, Chris realized that his voice was more than just a chick magnet. And so did his mother as he began to hook his son up with various producers. "When I went in and started working, there were ups and downs but I loved it and I knew I wanted to do it for the rest of my life." Chris may still be a lot like the boy who lives next door to you. But not really. You'll see.

Two CD set of Chris Brown's Exclusive (Forever Edition) album of 14 tracks plus two international bonus tracks. Forever produced by Polow da Don and written by Chris Brown, Andre Merritt, and Rob Allen, "Super Human" featuring Keri Hilson, "Heart Ain't a Brain", "Picture Perfect (Remix)" featuring Bow Wow and Hurricane Chris. Completing the Forever Edition package is a bonus DVD with a special montage of performances from his recent Up Close & Personal sold-out tour and never before seen behind the scenes footage.