A lot has changed since Chris Brown graced the pages of DUB Issue 39. He’s now 18 and legally considered an adult, got his license, grew some facial hair, got a few tattoos and is promoting his sophomore album, Exclusive (Jive Records, 2007). Less than two years ago, Chris was an average 16-year-old teenager from the small town of Tappahannock, Virginia (population 2,000) with a whole lot of talent and a mind full of big dreams, fueled by artists he grew up listening and looking up to, such as Sam Cooke, Stevie Wonder, Prince, Michael Jackson and Usher. “I always imagined that I could be what I wanted to be; I just hoped that I could do it,” he says. “I never knew how fast this would take off, so I’m thankful for it.”

Now, Chris is trying to outgrow his teenage bubble gum ways into a serious artist as he tries to reach new heights and fans with Exclusive. “I’m still going to keep it so my younger fans can continue to listen to my music, but I got a couple of joints on there that’s for some of the older people,” he explains. “This album is different from my first because it shows the growth of me into a man. Fans will get a better sense of me and my music.”
Jam-packed with Chris’ signature upbeat hits and superior production by notable names, such as will.i.am, Scott Storch and Swizz Beatz, Exclusive won’t be a disappointment to his current fans and should even bring some new ones aboard. But Chris never does anything that would disappointment, especially since his ultimate goal is to be the biggest artist out there. “I want to be bigger, or on the same level, as artists like Michael Jackson and Prince,” he confesses. “I don’t want to settle; I want to be the best.”
With his eye on the prize, Chris likes to think of himself as being more focused and business savvy than he was on his first album. “I’ve matured mentally since starting out,” he says. “Before, my priorities were trying to get girls’ numbers and goofing off. I wasn’t as focused as I am now. I’m determined
to become a big, big artist.”

But Chris isn’t all work and no play. He still has a bit of his childlike ways in him. “I’m still goofy and funny,” he says laughing. To prove he’s still a kid at heart, his garage features a custom Spider-Man mural done by a friend. “I loved comic books as a kid and never could have something like that back then,” Chris says Besides having the Spider-Man mural in his house, Chris also carries over the Spider-Man theme to his blue Lamborghini Gallardo Roadster, with custom blue leather and red suede inserts with the black Spider-Man spider logo stitched in the seats thanks to Euro Motorsport. Instead of flying through the air on a strand of spider web as Spider-Man does, Chris’ Gallardo flies down streets on color-matched 19-inch front and 20-inch rear Asanti AF 135 wheels with Pirelli 235/35R19 front and 295/25R20 rear tires.

While the Gallardo is his flashy car, Chris’ daily driver is his 2007 Range Rover Sport with the special Strut Ascot Collection that includes the woven-mesh front grille, matching lower intake vent, two side vents and Strut tailgate shield. It has 22-inch Strut Icon wheels with Pirelli 285/35R22 tires. “I like the Range because of how it rides,” Chris describes. “It’s subtle yet classy.”

The orange Corvette was a gift for his mom, and sits on 20-inch front and 22-inch rear Asanti AF 146 wheels with Pirelli 265/30R20 front and 285/25R22 rear tires. “I got my mom some rims so she could be stylin’ when she drives her Corvette,” he says

When he wants to listen to his music with full bass, Chris opts for his 2005 Ford Expedition that was featured in Issue 39. “The Expedition is all about the speakers,” Chris describes. “I’m from the South, and down there, it’s all about the bass.” The system boasts four Elevation Audio DX1500.1 Class-D power amplifiers, and two four-channel amps equaling a total of 7,000 Watts combined.
But Chris isn’t just about the music. In addition to his burgeoning music career, Chris is also trying his hand at acting, with appearances on TV shows “The O.C.” and “One on One,” as well as the hit feature film Stomp the Yard (Screen Gems, 2007) and a leading role in This Christmas (Screen Gems, 2007). “I want to show people I’m not just a singer but an all-around entertainer,” he says. “The scripts started coming in after my first film. I love acting.”
Don’t think all the industry hype is going to Chris’ head just because he’s headed to super star status. “The best advice I’ve gotten is to be focused and be humble,” he admits. “I have a strong group of people that help ground me.” Chris also is involved with charity work and has been an incredible supporter of the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which is internationally recognized for its pioneering work in finding cures and saving children with cancer and other fatal diseases. “I donate money from my concert ticket sales to the hospital,” he says.
Now that Chris is an adult, it seems his schedule is busier than before. At the time of the interview, Chris was getting ready to do a two-week publicity stint in Europe for Exclusive. It seems that with adulthood comes more responsibility. But, Chris isn’t worried. He’s ready for any challenges that come his way because he’s focused on becoming a musical legend. “I’m going to be the biggest artist and have nobody touch me,” he boasts. “I’m going to be the biggest star in the world.”