By Nomalanga Mhlauli-Moses
There is no disputing that Anita Baker is a legend in her own right. The R&B singer has been in the music industry for decades and has enjoyed both success and longevity in the music industry.

In a recent interview with The BoomBox, Baker spoke about Chris Brown and was firm on her stance. It seems that she feels that Chris Brown’s talent deserves more attention and has more significance that his much publicized physical attack on his ex-girlfriend Rihanna.

In her interview with The BoomBox, she said,

“He’s an amazing talent. That’s all I could take from him because that’s all I’m entitled to, is his artistry. I take it and I embrace it…I also embrace his, whatever it is that has allowed these young ones to endure what they endure publicly, and to still be able to present themselves to us.”

While I believe that Ms. Baker is entitled to her opinion, I find it a bit disturbing that she seems to gloss over the assault incident that Chris Brown was charged with and found guilty of. It becomes even more dif... behavior.

Ms. Baker goes on to say,

“Historically, in my generation, all of my heroes and heroines have had issues and problems. We all do. Chris Brown is brilliant. That cat is crazy brilliant and I wish him the best.”

She goes on to say that Chris Brown is “gifted beyond measure.”

While I can not understand Ms. Baker’s rationale for saying that we should ignore what Chris Brown did, I find it just outright outrageous for her to suggest that he is a hero. A hero? Really?

I can understand how, through a strong sense of loyalty or love for a person, it can be possible to overlook their shortcomings and continue to love them. Even then, I can not, by no stretch of my imagination, see how it can be expected that we can look at a young man who undoubtedly is very talented and take his talent as a reason to overlook the fact he used his then girlfriend as a punching bag and then went on to display other undeniable character flaws.

Chris Brown has reportedly been “giving back” and volunteering at an organization that benefits children and women affected by domestic violence and if his efforts are genuine, that is good. That being said, I still don’t see how he sprinted all the way from being an abusive boyfriend and crossed the finish line as a “hero”.

I’m not saying that Chris Brown deserves to be called a villain all his life, but let’s not confuse a persona with a person.

Your always one hit away from a comeback. Anita has a point. Nobody is perfect. Everybody makes mistakes. Even the late MJ wasn't perfect & he continued to make hits & sell records. Also the gifted R Kelly, George Michaels & the brilliant lyricist Clifford Joseph Harris, Jr. better known by his stage name T.I.

Chris & Rihanna in a passionate embrace @ the VMA's 2012




Praising Chris' ''character'' rather than condemning his acts of hooliganism calls into question her motives. I think she's trying to harness the power of social media to the fullest to create buzz for her new album.

Axl Rose was a woman abuser, there are plenty of reports of him beating Erin Everly who was the inspiration in the video of Sweet Child O' Mine , he's a complete asshole indeed but no one mentions this part of his life. There's no need to speak about Ike Turner and if I recall that Al Green had a shady past of abuse before his " incident " , those were accusations made from his ex when she was on Oprah's show. I don't care two shits about Chris in any aspect of his career but nobody is going to let him walk half a step without reminding him of that evening, I think it's just a case of people trying to play morality police.

http://www.people.com/peo...71,00.html

Identity said:

Praising Chris' ''character'' rather than condemning his acts of hooliganism calls into question her motives. I think she's trying to harness the power of social media to the fullest to create buzz for her new album.

She said,,,

Historically, in my generation, all of my heroes and heroines have had issues and problems.

Which is the cold stone truth, because unlike John Lennon, Marvin Gaye, Al Green, Miles Davis, Sly Stone and the rest of the legends we praise here on a daily, Chris got CAUGHT in an age when nothing gets buried under wraps(thank you social media). I salute her not being a hypocrite about it.

Just because its cool these days to shit on Piss Brown(not a fan either) I don't think Anita needs her motives to be scrutinizd, why would she? For somebody at her status with a loyal fanbase, I doubt she will need any buzz for new album. Hell, if Piss blocked his followers for not buying his albums, would you think they would buy hers?

Maybe, just maybe, thats her honest opinion, agenda free and all that mess

[Edited 9/9/12 12:03pm]

Harlepolis said:

Identity said:

Praising Chris' ''character'' rather than condemning his acts of hooliganism calls into question her motives. I think she's trying to harness the power of social media to the fullest to create buzz for her new album.

She said,,,

Historically, in my generation, all of my heroes and heroines have had issues and problems.

Which is the cold stone truth, because unlike John Lennon, Marvin Gaye, Al Green, Miles Davis, Sly Stone and the rest of the legends we praise here on a daily, Chris got CAUGHT in an age when nothing gets buried under wraps(thank you social media). I salute her not being a hypocrite about it.

Just because its cool these days to shit on Piss Brown(not a fan either) I don't think Anita needs her motives to be scrutinizd, why would she? For somebody at her status with a loyal fanbase, I doubt she will need any buzz for new album. Hell, if Piss blocked his followers for not buying his albums, would you think they would buy hers?

Maybe, just maybe, thats her honest opinion, agenda free and all that mess

[Edited 9/9/12 12:03pm]

what's your scoop on John Lennon??

Chris Brown is gifted beyond measure??? Poor Anita. It's obvious she's in the beginning stages of dementia.

ufoclub said:

Harlepolis said:

She said,,,

Historically, in my generation, all of my heroes and heroines have had issues and problems.

Which is the cold stone truth, because unlike John Lennon, Marvin Gaye, Al Green, Miles Davis, Sly Stone and the rest of the legends we praise here on a daily, Chris got CAUGHT in an age when nothing gets buried under wraps(thank you social media). I salute her not being a hypocrite about it.

Just because its cool these days to shit on Piss Brown(not a fan either) I don't think Anita needs her motives to be scrutinizd, why would she? For somebody at her status with a loyal fanbase, I doubt she will need any buzz for new album. Hell, if Piss blocked his followers for not buying his albums, would you think they would buy hers?

Maybe, just maybe, thats her honest opinion, agenda free and all that mess

[Edited 9/9/12 12:03pm]

what's your scoop on John Lennon??

There was this biography book talking about his physical abuse toward either of his wives, I'm not sure which one. And being emotionally abusive toward his song from his first marriage. There was a thread about it here in the org.

kitbradley said:

Chris Brown is gifted beyond measure??? Poor Anita. It's obvious she's in the beginning stages of dementia.

Indeed that was my first thought. See, also unlike singers of the past who have had shady records with violence, Chris Brown's music is ALSO crap.

He has no talent and is a terrible person. I wonder what Anita's on

Throwing in mj...asshole writers

alphastreet said:

Throwing in mj...asshole writers

KCool threw that in himself. I doubt anybody but him would call T.I. a "brilliant writer"

UncleGrandpa said:

Axl Rose was a woman abuser, there are plenty of reports of him beating Erin Everly who was the inspiration in the video of Sweet Child O' Mine , he's a complete asshole indeed but no one mentions this part of his life. There's no need to speak about Ike Turner and if I recall that Al Green had a shady past of abuse before his " incident " , those were accusations made from his ex when she was on Oprah's show. I don't care two shits about Chris in any aspect of his career but nobody is going to let him walk half a step without reminding him of that evening, I think it's just a case of people trying to play morality police.

http://www.people.com/peo...71,00.html

Why end there? Larry Graham used to beat up Patrice Banks and almost no one knew about it until years later (?!?). And Phil Spector........well, he actually killed a woman.

But I see you point.

Harlepolis said:

ufoclub said:

what's your scoop on John Lennon??

There was this biography book talking about his physical abuse toward either of his wives, I'm not sure which one. And being emotionally abusive toward his song from his first marriage. There was a thread about it here in the org.

He beat up a girlfriend he had in high school if I remember correctly. Something about them going to have sex in the school with 3 other couples and she didn't want to so he hit her. I think John probably abandoned that by the time he met Yoko though. I'd be shocked if he layed a hand on her.

aardvark15 said:

alphastreet said:

Throwing in mj...asshole writers

KCool threw that in himself. I doubt anybody but him would call T.I. a "brilliant writer"

that's right, mj is evil, I totally forgot....

alphastreet said:

aardvark15 said:

KCool threw that in himself. I doubt anybody but him would call T.I. a "brilliant writer"

that's right, mj is evil, I totally forgot....

[Edited 9/9/12 16:12pm]

is chris brown the new will smith?

alphastreet said:

is chris brown the new will smith?

I thought Katy Perry was?

Well if Clint Eastwood said that Beyonce is the next Ella Fitzrgerald........

Alll these legends say this shit just for hype and to get in good graces with the media, critics, fan etc..... yes it annoying but they just say these things for attention......I dont take it seriously...

Harlepolis said:

ufoclub said:

what's your scoop on John Lennon??

There was this biography book talking about his physical abuse toward either of his wives, I'm not sure which one. And being emotionally abusive toward his song from his first marriage. There was a thread about it here in the org.

Also, Lennon didn't wanna marry Cynthia and only did so because she had or was carrying Julian. Julian always thought he was an unwanted child by his father. There's been stories that sometimes he didn't treat Yoko right either but also said Yoko used mind games on him. He had a steadier relationship with May Pang strangely enough though.

As for Anita's comments, eh, that's her opinion. But she's right about her generation having a lot of artists who had demons: Marvin and 'em...

aardvark15 said:

alphastreet said:

Throwing in mj...asshole writers

KCool threw that in himself. I doubt anybody but him would call T.I. a "brilliant writer"

Pretty effin' much...

mjscarousal said:

Well if Clint Eastwood said that Beyonce is the next Ella Fitzrgerald........

Alll these legends say this shit just for hype and to get in good graces with the media, critics, fan etc..... yes it annoying but they just say these things for attention......I dont take it seriously...

honestly i dont even know why she is commenting on this, one its ignornant for the interviewer, and to be honest 99.9% of journalists and writers are wannabe stars so they do stupid questions. As for Anita shes like 60 right? commenting on a 20 whatever year olds issues, and sorry ANITA his demons are different than others to just lump in your generation and say its all the same is pure BS, never dug Anita because she talks alot of crap, not the first time.

Timmy84 said:

Harlepolis said:

There was this biography book talking about his physical abuse toward either of his wives, I'm not sure which one. And being emotionally abusive toward his song from his first marriage. There was a thread about it here in the org.

Also, Lennon didn't wanna marry Cynthia and only did so because she had or was carrying Julian. Julian always thought he was an unwanted child by his father. There's been stories that sometimes he didn't treat Yoko right either but also said Yoko used mind games on him. He had a steadier relationship with May Pang strangely enough though.

As for Anita's comments, eh, that's her opinion. But she's right about her generation having a lot of artists who had demons: Marvin and 'em...

everyone is different though, Anita lumps her whole generation in like the 70's 80's are anything like today, first of all 90% of these "artists" dont even deserve it, its like High School were everyone has $$$ to throw around, no one is deserving of it. Of course she can have her opinion and once again she is dead wrong just like she was when she didnt have a clue what PRINCE was saying when he wrote SLAVE on his face she thought he was nuts till she got screwed and had no money. And as for lennon, everyone has issues, i have heard many things about many people and yeah i have heard Julian say that there was one time where he was struck because he laughed at Yoko and told never laugh again, but we realize that all these artrists are flawed, but some create their own flaws for attention and there own bank accounts, alot of what chris does is BS and for attention, and not real

Hero (definition) — (1) a man admired for his achievements and noble qualities' : one who shows great courage.

-------------------

I don't know why I don't have space between my paragraphs...

[Edited 9/9/12 23:47pm]

TD3 said:

I don't know why James Brown, Lennon, Gaye or any other celebrity or entertainer names have been brought into the conversation. What the hell does it matter what they did or maybe didn't do? Should Chris Brown be given an exemption pass because he got caught in the wrong era? Or we serious? That sounds to me a like a big ass bowel of moral relativism. There are a whole lot of men who neither had Miles Davis wealth or nortoriety yet they stood at their front door as he did and talked about the weather with the police while their wives hovered in corners after being beaten. With all due respect that has nothing to do with been apart of an era but more with a society having a certain type of mindset.

Nobody should get exemped.

The reason why I mentioned them, was to echoe Anita's point that some of her peers were going through the same ordeal, when the writer wanted to hit her with the selective morality bullshit for voicing an unpopular opnion. Yes, for the million times Piss Brown is a women beater, but there's a possibility that Anita likes HIS music, should that be treated like she crossed a red line? Which brings me back to the gentlemen I mentioned, there can always ben a separation between the individual's character and his/her music. Thats my whole point.

[Edited 9/10/12 0:35am]

Harlepolis said:

Identity said:

Praising Chris' ''character'' rather than condemning his acts of hooliganism calls into question her motives. I think she's trying to harness the power of social media to the fullest to create buzz for her new album.

She said,,,

Historically, in my generation, all of my heroes and heroines have had issues and problems.

Which is the cold stone truth, because unlike John Lennon, Marvin Gaye, Al Green, Miles Davis, Sly Stone and the rest of the legends we praise here on a daily, Chris got CAUGHT in an age when nothing gets buried under wraps(thank you social media). I salute her not being a hypocrite about it.

Just because its cool these days to shit on Piss Brown(not a fan either) I don't think Anita needs her motives to be scrutinizd, why would she? For somebody at her status with a loyal fanbase, I doubt she will need any buzz for new album. Hell, if Piss blocked his followers for not buying his albums, would you think they would buy hers?

Maybe, just maybe, thats her honest opinion, agenda free and all that mess

[Edited 9/9/12 12:03pm]

This.

a few years ago,Anita was talking about a collaboration with Snoop Dogg,so she apparently has no problem with "bad boys" ....guys who disrespect women,refer to woman as "bitches and hoes",etc.I wouldn't be surprised if she did a duet with Lil Wayne,lol.

but still,it's kinda surprising to hear her praise Chris Brown's "talent" like that she acts like he's some kind of musical genuis.

Anita is trying too hard to appeal to the media and attract fans. I'm sure she didn't mean to elicit laughter and eye-rolling by celebrating Chris Brown's "brilliance".