R&B artist keeps interview with students

By Branden Asemah , Middle College High School

“Chris Brown is in the Building” were the words out of the mouths of many Middle College High students on April 6, when they got the chance to interview the R&B platinum artist at the Grammy Foundation’s local offices on South Main.

“I thought he was not going to come because his concert was cancelled,” said Jasmine Crawford, a Middle College sophomore.

Brown’s scheduled performance at the International Shell Entertainment Complex was cancelled, but Brown did not let that stop him from meeting some of his local high school fans.

Even though some of the students were either older or the same age as the 16-year-old Brown, he easily gave the students some encouraging and inspirational words from his own life experiences.

“I mean, I was known around school because of basketball, but I never felt the need to do the same thing everybody else was doing,” Brown said.

Brown told the students it was okay to be a loner sometimes and encouraged them to remember that they never had to fall victim to peer pressure.

Tina Davis, Brown’s manager, sat next to him during the entire session and encouraged students to ask questions, but kept the discussion geared toward his musical career and not his personal relationships. Davis was not the only person with Brown. Two body guards, several dancers, his personal disc jockey and his mother were also there.

Students were prepared with many questions for Brown.

“Do you feel your life is moving too fast?” senior Kamia Franklin asked.

Brown said he doesn’t feel his life is moving too fast and he is here to carry out God’s plan and will continue to do whatever it takes to do so.

Several students wanted to know about his favorite and least favorite songs. Brown said “Thank You” is one of his favorites because it was his special thanks to all the people who have helped jumpstart his career. He said “What’s My Name” was his least favorite song because he feels it brags about him and he does not like to do that.

Brown isn’t the only well-known artist Middle College students have had the opportunity to meet. Other artists such as Kanye West, Anthony Hamilton and Vivian Green have also visited with students. The interviews are made possible by the Grammy Sound Check program. Through this program, the Grammy Foundation gives students opportunities to meet with artists in the music industry and tries to help build connections for students who want to pursue careers in the music industry.

Students said they enjoyed having the chance to meet Brown and were impressed by how he answered questions in an intelligent manner. They said he helped them to see that they need a sense of maturity and responsibility to make it in today’s society.

That wasn’t the only thing many of the girls noticed, though.

“When he walked through those doors, he was taller and hotter than I thought,” Jasmine said.

The Teen Appeal

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R&B artist keeps interview with students

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