Is Chris Brown the new RnB king?

Posted by dingdans

May 11, 2008

Chris Brown will tell you that Michael Jackson is his biggest influence, but it was Usher who came to mind when you first saw the then 16-year-old budding R&B, hip-hop, pop star pop-locking across a high school gymnasium in his debut video “Run It!” nearly three years ago.

Usher’s recurrent singles from his 9 times platinum Confessions album were still lingering on the charts as Chris entered the game capturing the attention of Usher fans and even connecting with tweens who couldn’t yet relate to Usher’s need to confess his infidelities and to painfully “let it burn.”

As Usher took a break from music and instead garnered limelight for his rumored romance with his stylist with whom he later confirmed in their marriage, Chris Brown took full advantage of not having any competition in the genre. He released two albums, his 2005 self-titled debut and 2007’s Exclusive, and achieved platinum results during Usher’s hiatus.

Eight back to back hit singles from Chris Brown made you wonder exactly where Usher would fit in upon his return. If you saw Chris’s performance and high tech stage show last year as he headlined his own tour, you would have no problem accepting the proclamation that he is the future of R&B as a leading urban glossy declared shortly after his debut.

But now Usher is back. The seasoned performer turns 30 this October and is a new husband and father. Can he pick up the momentum of where Confessions left off? Or should he be prepared for Chris Brown to do to his career what Ciara has done to Janet’s?

Don’t get excited just yet Chris.

The answer is in the Usher’s comeback single “Love In The Club” which happens to be No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Even though Chris has three songs in the top 10, his collaboration with Jordin Sparks “No Air” is No. 3, his solo tracks “Forever” and “With You” are No. 9 and No. 10, Usher’s cache should not be underestimated.