Chris Brown: 30 Facts You Didn’t Know About Breezy

I know, I know — Chris Brown isn’t exactly a saint. He’s done some pretty unforgivable things. But despite his troubled past (and as an unashamed Breezy stan), I want to uncover some interesting things about his life — that’s why you’re here, after all.

Little did you know that this superstar owns 14 Burger King restaurants (random, I know), or that he got his record deal at a gas station. Believe it or not, he *almost* collaborated with Michael Jackson (!!).

So, whether you’re a fan who wants to know every itty bitty detail about his life, or are intrigued by his road to stardom, now’s your chance to scroll through some fun Chris Brown facts!

Interesting Facts About Chris Brown

1. His Stage Name Was “C. Sizzle”

Before fame, Chris used a stage name. And no, it wasn’t “Breezy.” He used to go by the nickname, “C. Sizzle.” But after landing a record deal, the artist decided to be identified by his real name, instead. Can you imagine if we knew Chris as “C. Sizzle?” We’d rather not. “King of R&B” sounds about right instead.

2. He Has a Sister

…and she keeps under wraps. Breezy’s sister is named Lytrell Bundy and is commonly known as ‘Tootie.’ Lytrell is in her 40s, and according to AmoMama, she is a medical laboratory scientist. Although Tootie stays out of the spotlight, she was once spotted with her brother in a behind-the-scenes video for Gimmie That.

3. Chris was Part of Church Choir

Chris built his sensational vocals at his church choir. Apparently, the star was a regular church goer in his hometown, Virgina, and also took part in several talent shows.

“Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday we had choir rehearsal and the band, the whole nine. So being able to get that music lesson was also a blessing in itself,” Brown said on MTV’s This is How I Made It. “It was also a discipline. I think my mom knew what she was doing like, ‘OK I’m going to keep you out the streets and put you in the church first,'” he added.

4. He Witnessed a Suicide, Considered Suicide Himself

Chris opened up to US Weekly about how he once witnessed a family member attempt suicide when he was just six years old. As traumatizing as this must have been, the singer later admitted that he also had thoughts of suicide himself following the physical assault incident with Rihanna.

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5. He Had an Abusive Stepfather

In an interview with Giant in 2007, Chris recalled being terrified of his abusive stepfather growing up. At seven years old, his parents split, and his mom then remarried. But the relationship was tumultuous. Chris Brown’s stepfather attempted suicide, by trying to shoot himself in the head, but it went through his eyes instead, leaving him blind.

The musician remembers his stepfather making his mom’s nose bleed: “When you’re blind, your senses are heightened. He used to hit my mom….He made me terrified all the time, terrified like I had to pee on myself. I remember one night he made her nose bleed. I was crying and thinking, ‘I’m just gonna go crazy on him one day…’ I hate him to this day.” 

6. Chris Was Discovered at a Gas Station

They say the best things happen when you least expect it. Believe or or not, this artist was discovered at a gas station. Chris was only 13 years-old when a production team who was looking for new talent came across his great vocals.

Hitmission Records were visiting the gas station where Chris’ father worked, when they stumbled upon the soon-to-be-singer. From there, “C. Sizzle” was born, and well, the rest is history.

7. Chris Was Rejected by Diddy

…and we bet Diddy regrets his decision to this very day. When Chris was 13, he performed for Puff Daddy’s record label, Bad Boy Records, but the rapper refused to sign him. “It’s love now. That’s family, that’s my brother now,” Brown said on the Drink Champs podcast.

Later at 15 years old, Chris was offered a recording contract by L.A Reid’s music group, Def Jam. But the singer rejected the offer and chose to work with Jive Records (then RCA Records), instead.

8. He Dropped Out of High School Early

Here’s a fun fact about Chris Brown! Once he was signed to a record label, he decided to drop out of high school in 10th grade to focus on his career in music. While he still had private tutoring, at only 16 years old, Breezy was already on his way to becoming a major superstar. That same year, he released his first single, Run It!. 

9. He is an Actor, Too

That’s right. Not only can Chris Brown sing and dance like a pro, he can act like one, too! Breezy has starred in a couple of movies including Stop the Yard, Takers, and This Christmas; as well as television series such as The O.C and an episode of Sesame Street.

10. Chris Almost Collabed With Michael Jackson

You only have to take one look at Chris Brown to know who his idols are. “Michael Jackson is the reason why I do music and why I am an entertainer,” he once revealed. Well, not only did he get the opportunity to perform and meet the King of Pop, Brown also told Fuse that he almost collaborated with MJ, but things just didn’t work out.

11. He is Trained in Martial Arts

The singer told Giant magazine that he had studied martial arts, which he once used to defend himself in a fight with classmates. He also learned to use it for stunt scenes in the movie, Takers. 

12. He Bought his Mom a $1 Million House

This fact about Chris Brown proves he’s got a big heart. You’d think it took years for Chris to financially support his loved ones. Nope. According to News24, Chris gifted his mother with a $1 million house when he was just 15 years-old.

13. He Owns Burger King Restaurants

As random as this fact sounds, it’s true — Chris Brown owns 14 Burger King restaurants! “I was 17 when I started trying to invest in certain things, just ‘cause I knew… You don’t know how long you going to be successful,” he said on The R&B Money Podcast. 

According to Franchise Help, franchisees must have a minimum net worth of $1.5 million and $500,000 in liquid assets. Chris’ net worth is $100 million, which is probably why he thought of investing in the food chain.

14. Chris Has His Own Cannabis Brand

Burgers aren’t the only things he invests his money in. In collaboration with Originals Family Farms in 2023, Chris Brown launched his own Cannabis strain named ‘Bussin.’

“I just plan to ease my way in,” Brown said of the brand. “I don’t want to kick nobody out their spots and do nothing, I just want to get in there. I’ve been a fan or curator of marijuana for a long time [laughs], an advocate for it. At the end of the day, I’m gonna get in where I fit in.”

15. Chris is a Graffiti Artist

It’s no coincidence that one of his albums is titled Graffiti. In case you didn’t already know, Chris Brown loves to paint murals. In fact, the exterior walls of his house are covered in his own graffiti art. But it’s not just a hobby — Chris donates most of the profits for his work to charity. In 2015, he collaborated with artist Slick to raise money for the Elton John AIDS Foundation and Best Buddies International.

16. He has Over 50 Tattoos

It’s safe to say Breezy is one of the most tatted celebrities out there. Almost every inch of his body is inked up. Chris apparently has over 50 tattoos. They include a lion on his neck, a snake on his back, an “X” on his foot, and an unknown woman on the side of his neck which many assumed depicted Rihanna.

17. Chris Owned a Record Label

Chris Brown wanted to help singers reach stardom by opening his own record label. He founded “CBE” in 2007 under Interscope records, which signed Kevin McCall, Sabrina Antoinette, and Sevyn Streeter.

18. He Wrote Songs for Rihanna

Chris doesn’t just write his own songs, he’s even scratched up the lyrics to other singers’ tracks too — including Rihanna! He’s also written songs for the Jonas Brothers, Jennifer Lopez (Same Girl), Rita Ora (Body on Me), Mary J Blige (Stronger) and many more.

19. Chris Brown Has Only One Grammy

This is one of the craziest facts about Chris Brown; it actually blows my mind — especially considering he’s one of the best-selling male artists of all time! Although he has been nominated numerous times, Brown has only ever won one Grammy award throughout his successful career. His album F.A.M.E. won the 2012 Grammy Award for ‘Best R&B Album.’

20. He has a Clothing Line

He’s a singer, a dancer, an actor and he owns 14 Burger King restaurants. What else could Chris possibly do, right? The singer owns a clothing line called ‘Black Pyramid’ which includes unique jerseys, bombers, racing jacks, t-shirts and more. What’s crazy? His line made a whooping $4 million in its first year!

21. The Rihanna Incident is His “Greatest Regret”

On February 8, 2009, Chris and his then-girlfriend, Rihanna, had an argument which escalated into physical violence. This argument left Rihanna with visible facial injuries which required hospitalization. 

Following his arrest, Chris deemed the incident as his “greatest regret.” In 2013, Rihanna forgave Brown and the famous couple dated again for a few months. “That night was the deepest regret of my life, the biggest mistake. But she loves me – what can I say? I’m forgiven… but, yes, I worked hard for it,” he told The Mirror.

22. He Went to Rehab

In what was one of Chris Brown’s most controversial moments, he voluntarily entered rehab to “gain insight into his past and recent behavior” in late 2013. But things didn’t turn out too well when the singer allegedly got kicked out for smashing his mother’s car window during a family session. He was then ordered by a judge to enter into another rehab program.

23. He’s the Only Singer to Have a No.1 Record in Jail

Despite this celebrity’s criminal offence, his talent never goes unnoticed. Chris’ track, Loyal, went to number one in 2014, while he was locked up in jail for violating his probation. According to US Weekly, he’s the only artist to have a number one on the Billboard list whilst sitting behind bars!

24. Chris Brown Fought with Drake and Frank Ocean

In 2012, Chris and Drake clashed in a nightclub leaving Chris being treated in hospital with a bloody chin. Listed as one of the most shocking celebrity beefs, the events allegedly broke out after Chris sent a bottle of champagne to Drake’s table as a peace offering after several feuds.

Drake supposedly refused Chris’ gift and returned a note stating “I’m f****** the love of your life [Rihanna], deal with it.”

Not just that. In 2013, Chris was rumored to have punched Frank Ocean outside a recording studio over a parking spot in West Hollywood.

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25. An Obsessed Fan Broke Into his Home

Fans can be freaky! A 21 year-old woman broke into Breezy’s home and vandalized it in 2015, while he was away. Chris took to Instagram to talk about the incident describing how the fan wrote, “I love you” on the walls, cooked up some food in the kitchen, and painted her name on his cars. The crazy lady was later charged with burglary, vandalism, and stalking.

26. Chris’ House was Robbed

Can he catch a break? Just two months after having a stalker break into his home, Chris’ house was robbed. A group of gunmen reportedly stole money and valuables and allegedly forced his aunty (who was home at the time) into a closet.

27. He was Framed By a Beauty Queen

It’s just one thing after the other for Chris! A lying beauty queen almost landed Breezy in jail, again! In 2016, Chris was arrested after an 11 hour stand-off with police. The woman claimed that Chris was threatening her with a gun at his house. After being released, it was revealed that the so-called beauty queen ‘had a history of making up death threats’ and “the allegations are not just false but fabricated.”

28. He Often Talks to a Pastor

As one of the most controversial celebrities out there, we all know Chris has suffered some lows in his life. Thankfully, he lets his frustrations out on a pastor. He talks to a minister twice a week which helps him cope with all the negativity in his life. That’s one way to solve your personal issues, right?

29. Chris Has Three Children

Other than talking to a pastor, there’s something else that keeps Chris going: his children. As many already know, Breezy is a father of three to Royalty, Aeko, and Lovely. Royalty was born in 2014 (mother, Nia Guzman), Aeko in 2019 (mother, Ammika Harris), and Lovely in 2022 (mother, Diamond Brown).

30. He Has Unique Meet and Greets

Okay, so they cost a whopping $1,000, but Breezy’s VIP meet-and-greet packages are totally worth it. He lets fans get up close and personal with him because, as he says, he “appreciates the f*ck outta them.”

These facts about Chris Brown prove he isn’t just the bad boy the media makes him out to be. He’s multi-talented, he’s hard-working, and he’s a devoted dad.

Can you look beyond Breezy’s unruly past and simply see him as a talented artist? Let us know in the comments below!

Originally published in March 2017.