Apparently there are some people you never want to piss off, and they belong in the music business. Or so it's rumored.
Word has come out that Chris Brown went on a rant recently, regarding the availability of his new CD "Grafffiti" on certain store shelves. Apparently, Brown went into a Wal-Mart store in Connecticut and found his new album nowhere to be found. Store personnel couldn't explain why there weren't any on the shelves, or in the warehouse, so that it could be distributed. I'm thinking this can't be legal.
You see, there is a level of hypocrisy in this country that needs to be pointed out. While this is all rumor and/or conjecture, work with me for a minute.
1. Chris Brown and Rihanna supposedly get into it during which she apparently hit him and he hits back. Her picture shows up all around the world and she assumes the battered girlfriend role, milking it for all its worth. Album sales must be really good right about now.
2. Tiger Woods supposedly has an extramarital affair with multiple women. Word leaks that his wife may or may not have hit him with a golf club. Woods is demonized, all over the media for being a whore who cheated on his wife. The potential battered husband issue doesn't seem to come up anywhere. He's losing endorsements, she's reportedly renegotiating the prenup or filing for divorce or whatever the news of the minute is.
The obvious hypocrisy that no-one's touching is the fact that if Woods were indeed bashed over the head with a golf club, that's domestic violence. And, I suppose since it is a man, it's not that important. It would only be important, if, when he regained consciousness, he took said club and bashed her back. Then, he would have been dragged off to jail. That makes me sad.
The other hypocrisy comes at the expense of Chris Brown, if indeed, he is being the target of a music industry blacklist. You may recall I did not take a position on his case. I was not there, and I try, really hard, not to judge anyone. I may not always succeed, but I try.
Now, given that young Mr. Brown has not only owned up to his actions, and is taking steps to correct those actions, and has been paying back his debt to society, I think it is rather hypocritical and vengeful for people to continue to bash him. I've seen comments on Twitter, fake blog postings accusing him of heinous activities, and even attempts to illegally post his album online for people to download. How fanatical does one have to be to take on a personal crusade against someone they don't know? Is it worth being sued for millions of dollars by the record label because you think you are 'taking a stand?'
Before writing this article, I did some research on Chris Brown's performance on Billboard. At the moment, his single "I Can Transform Ya" is listed on at least 6 Billboard Charts:
1. #11 on the R&B/Hip Hop Chart
2. #22 on the Hot 100 Chart
3. #35 on the Radio Songs chart, where it has peaked at #26 so far.
4. #17 on the Digital Songs chart
5. #22 on the Ringtones chart
6. #89 on the European Hot 100 chart.
Now, what this tells me, is that, in spite of the misguidedness of some, his music is still desired and in demand. Otherwise, after 9 weeks or more, he is still on it. He is getting airplay, and his music was performed on "So You Think You Can Dance." Removing or limiting its access on store shelves will not limit consumers ability to purchase it. People, get over yourselves and let the young man perform his art and make a living. If he deserves anything, it's a chance, like everyone does.
I purchased his album on iTunes, and I found it to be very well done. There is a great deal of repetition, I suppose, because it's primarily directed at Rihanna, as anyone who has heard "Crawl" or seen the video can attest. But, there are also some new tracks displaying his creativity, and his willingness to reach out to a newer, more diverse audience, as he explained on Sirius XM OutQ radio's Morning Jolt.
I found the album to be indicative of his growing maturity with his art, and I wasn't surprised to see some traditional Michael Jackson-style songs on the album (like "Falling Down," for example). I rate the Album a solid B+, only because of the "whining over Rihanna" which, in my view were several songs too many.
What are your views? Do you agree or disagree on the hypocrisy that people are displaying? Should people stay out of other people's lives and bedrooms? While you're at it, check out this Billboard Review.
Full Story Here
Word has come out that Chris Brown went on a rant recently, regarding the availability of his new CD "Grafffiti" on certain store shelves. Apparently, Brown went into a Wal-Mart store in Connecticut and found his new album nowhere to be found. Store personnel couldn't explain why there weren't any on the shelves, or in the warehouse, so that it could be distributed. I'm thinking this can't be legal.
You see, there is a level of hypocrisy in this country that needs to be pointed out. While this is all rumor and/or conjecture, work with me for a minute.
1. Chris Brown and Rihanna supposedly get into it during which she apparently hit him and he hits back. Her picture shows up all around the world and she assumes the battered girlfriend role, milking it for all its worth. Album sales must be really good right about now.
2. Tiger Woods supposedly has an extramarital affair with multiple women. Word leaks that his wife may or may not have hit him with a golf club. Woods is demonized, all over the media for being a whore who cheated on his wife. The potential battered husband issue doesn't seem to come up anywhere. He's losing endorsements, she's reportedly renegotiating the prenup or filing for divorce or whatever the news of the minute is.
The obvious hypocrisy that no-one's touching is the fact that if Woods were indeed bashed over the head with a golf club, that's domestic violence. And, I suppose since it is a man, it's not that important. It would only be important, if, when he regained consciousness, he took said club and bashed her back. Then, he would have been dragged off to jail. That makes me sad.
The other hypocrisy comes at the expense of Chris Brown, if indeed, he is being the target of a music industry blacklist. You may recall I did not take a position on his case. I was not there, and I try, really hard, not to judge anyone. I may not always succeed, but I try.
Now, given that young Mr. Brown has not only owned up to his actions, and is taking steps to correct those actions, and has been paying back his debt to society, I think it is rather hypocritical and vengeful for people to continue to bash him. I've seen comments on Twitter, fake blog postings accusing him of heinous activities, and even attempts to illegally post his album online for people to download. How fanatical does one have to be to take on a personal crusade against someone they don't know? Is it worth being sued for millions of dollars by the record label because you think you are 'taking a stand?'
Before writing this article, I did some research on Chris Brown's performance on Billboard. At the moment, his single "I Can Transform Ya" is listed on at least 6 Billboard Charts:
1. #11 on the R&B/Hip Hop Chart
2. #22 on the Hot 100 Chart
3. #35 on the Radio Songs chart, where it has peaked at #26 so far.
4. #17 on the Digital Songs chart
5. #22 on the Ringtones chart
6. #89 on the European Hot 100 chart.
Now, what this tells me, is that, in spite of the misguidedness of some, his music is still desired and in demand. Otherwise, after 9 weeks or more, he is still on it. He is getting airplay, and his music was performed on "So You Think You Can Dance." Removing or limiting its access on store shelves will not limit consumers ability to purchase it. People, get over yourselves and let the young man perform his art and make a living. If he deserves anything, it's a chance, like everyone does.
I purchased his album on iTunes, and I found it to be very well done. There is a great deal of repetition, I suppose, because it's primarily directed at Rihanna, as anyone who has heard "Crawl" or seen the video can attest. But, there are also some new tracks displaying his creativity, and his willingness to reach out to a newer, more diverse audience, as he explained on Sirius XM OutQ radio's Morning Jolt.
I found the album to be indicative of his growing maturity with his art, and I wasn't surprised to see some traditional Michael Jackson-style songs on the album (like "Falling Down," for example). I rate the Album a solid B+, only because of the "whining over Rihanna" which, in my view were several songs too many.
What are your views? Do you agree or disagree on the hypocrisy that people are displaying? Should people stay out of other people's lives and bedrooms? While you're at it, check out this Billboard Review.
