Chris Brown works as a recording artist.
Christopher Maurice `` Chris '' Brown ( born May 5 , 1989 ) is an American singer , songwriter , and dancer . Having signed with Jive Records in 2004 , Brown released his self-titled debut studio album the following year . It peaked at number two on the US Billboard 200 and was later certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America ( RIAA ) , selling an overall three million copies worldwide . With his first single `` Run It ! '' peaking atop the US Billboard Hot 100 , Brown became the first male artist as a lead since Diddy in 1997 to have his debut single top the chart .