Although Chris Brown and his team rep’s declared that Brown would not be conducting interviews this year [so Chris could focus on his music rather face public scrutiny of the 2009 incident with Rihanna] it seems as though Chris was willing to make one exception. The singer [who is big fan of art] recently interviewed with artist Ron English [whom Chris has teamed up with to launch a limited collection of collectible toys and unique art sculptures called “Dum English”.
Rather than talk of the negative things that surround Chris Brown, the interview focused more on all of the positive things that are going on with Chris and shed’s some light on his childhood aspirations from wanted to become a singer while pursuing his artistic dreams as well.
Peep a few excerpts and listen to the full interview below:
On when he started singing:
I started when I was about 11, singing, and then I just kept going at it and then I told my mom that I just wanted to be focused on that [and] just pursue that for the most part. I just kept going at it from balancing my school work to going to the studio at night [til] 3 [am] in the morning, with adults.
On when he knew he could sing:
I was about 11, and its funny because I was into sports, I was like a jock but I always liked sci-fi movies and anime and I never really liked singing […] and so I just tried it, I started listening to songs and more R&B, more Phil Collins, different kind of music that dealt with singing and I just continued to do it and I was like ‘You know what [mom], I really want to do this. I think I can do it’ and she was like ‘Cool, lets try it’ so we went from there.
On his progression
My progression is to basically to be on the director’s side and try to be behind the camera and creating a different world for people to see and be inspired. Like how I was as a kid, watching Michael Jackson, Freddie Starr and even Indiana Jones, certain movies that really grab your [attention] as a kid.
Advice for those wanting to follow in his footsteps.
It’s basically just your determination as far as an artist is concerned. It’s just about your drive and your dream. I think that as far as being an artist, and being an entertainer, for me it’s like we never lose our dream. It’s kind of what we had as a kid in our minds, we kind of stay young and youthful so that’s what keeps us fresh and creative and [allow us to] go forward. I think you just need to have that and have that determination and steady move forward and I think that’s what got me to where I’m at. and I’m pretty sure you still have the childhood memory that helps you create the good stuff that you do.
Among Dum English’s inaugural offerings: A toy necklace chain ($75) and a 10″vinyl figure ($140), both from Made by Monsters, and a four-foot life-size fiberglass sculpture ($20,000) by Garageworks Industries will be released for sale. Launching with only 1000 pieces in this limited-edition toy series and 20 pieces for the fiberglass sculpture, the proceeds from sales at the VIP art exhibit/media event will benefit Brown’s Symphonic Love foundation, which provides support and funding for arts programs dedicated to women and the artistic development of children