How quickly things change. Twenty-four months ago, Chris Brown was an 18-year-old clean-cut cutie with a second album under his belt, “an admirably clean record unlikely to raise any fears from parents,” glossed About.com. He was coming off a show-stealing medley with rumored love interest Rihanna at that year’s MTV Awards, and his second feature film, “This Christmas”, was about to open with Brown in his first major role. Now the best he can hope is that his version of the 1971 Donny Hathaway title song will remind fans of the kinder, gentler Chris Brown - and that Rihanna quickly gets over her new avenging fembot assassin phase!

by Mark Emge

Rihanna has chosen to embrace the controversy of her violent altercation with ex Chris Brown earlier this year: Her new single, “Russian Roulette”, addresses a troubled relationship with upfront, ballistic imagery. Brown appears to be doing the same, but taking a more contrite angle given his role in the situation. The “Crawl” video features Chris begging stand-in Cassie for forgiveness. Another leaked title from the upcoming “Graffiti” collection is the track “Changed Man”, which peaked at No. 65 on the Billboard Hot R&B chart.

by Mark Emge