Fortune (Chris Brown album)
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Fortune is the upcoming fifth studio album by American recording artist Chris Brown, scheduled to be first released on June 29, 2012. The album will serve as Brown's debut release with RCA Records, following the disbandment of Jive Records in October 2011. Brown has worked with several record producers on the album, including The Underdogs, Polow da Don, The Runners, Danja, and Fuego, among others. It features several guest vocalists, including Big Sean, Wiz Khalifa, Nas, Kevin McCall, SeVen, and Sabrina Antoinette. Originally scheduled for release six months after F.A.M.E. (2011), the album received several push backs.
Four singles have been released from the album, with "Turn Up the Music" being the lead single. It reached number 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and number one on the UK Singles Chart. "Sweet Love", "Till I Die" featuring rappers Big Sean and Wiz Khalifa, and "Don't Wake Me Up" were released as the album's second, third and fourth singles, respectively.
Background and development
In an interview with Rap-Up magazine on September 2, 2011, Kevin McCall revealed that he has been collaborating "heavily" with Brown on the album.[1] Later that month, producer David Banner told NeonLimeLight.com that the album will "bring people back to the clubs" and that it will "change the way people look at R&B".[2] He also revealed details of a song that he and Brown recorded for the album, saying: "When I tell you, you know how they don't play that much R&B in the club no more? ... The song that me and Chris made, they are going to play it like they used to play Jodeci. Like they used to play Keith Sweat. The song that me and Chris made is so jamming."[2] On January 7, 2012, Brown revealed via his official Twitter account that there was only two weeks left of recording sessions for the album, tweeting "LAST TWO WEEKS of me finishing FORTUNE! I'm excited for all the fans to hear my real music".[3] The tweet was soon followed up by another, with the singer tweeting "Dub step records on my album sounding crazy!!!!".[3] However, the tweet was later removed, suggesting that Brown gave away too much details about the album.[3]
In addition to recording, it was revealed later that month that Brown was in the studio working on the album with Asher Roth, Nas, Wiz Khalifa, will.i.am, and Kid Sister.[4][5] On January 20, 2012, Brown announced that Nas will appear as a guest vocalist on the album.[4] In an interview with MTV News, producer Harvey Mason, Jr., half of production duo The Underdogs, who co-wrote and co-produced "Turn Up the Music", spoke more about the album, saying "The Fortune record is F.A.M.E to the next level. Similar material, but he's really being innovative with some of the music that you haven't heard before, taking pieces of other genres and integrating them into pop and R&B, which I think is really cool. Vocally, he sounds amazing; he's really, really coming into his own as a singer".[6] Producer Damon Thomas, the other half of the duo, added "The only way I can describe Chris and what he's doin' with this record that he's making is that he's this generation's Michael [Jackson]".[6] On February 29, 2012, Brown tweeted "I hope this album shows growth and positivity to all my fans and will inspire them to live life to the fullest!!! #FORTUNE".[7] During a radio interview with Atlanta's Hot 107.9 in March 2012, rapper 2 Chainz revealed that he will be appearing as a guest vocalist on Fortune,[8] however the track he was featured on did not make the final track listing.[9]
Release and change of labels
In January 2011, Brown told fans on Twitter that he was planning on releasing his then studio album, F.A.M.E. (2011), as a double disc because he recorded too many songs for one disc and therefore planned on releasing a second disc titled, Fortune.[10] However, during a listening party for F.A.M.E. on March 14, 2011, Brown announced that he would be releasing the Fortune disc in six months.[11] On August 23, 2011, RCA Music Group announced it was disbanding Jive Records along with Arista Records and J Records. With the shutdown, Fortune is now being released on the RCA Records brand.[12] During an interview with Rap-Up magazine in September 2011, Kevin McCall revealed that the album was being pushed back for an early 2012 release.[1] Then two months later, Jive Records France announced via Twitter that the album would be released in March 2012.[13] However, on March 1, 2012, RCA Records confirmed that Fortune would be released in the United States on May 8, 2012, as both standard and deluxe editions.[7] Then on April 22, 2012, Brown announced via Twitter that the album will be delayed, tweeting "Team Breezy! The official album date for FORTUNE is July 3, 2012!!!!!!!!!!!!".[14] Fortune will be released as both digital download and CD formats on June 29, 2012, in the European countries of Germany, Ireland and Netherlands.[15][16][17] On July 2, the album will be released in the United Kingdom and France,[18][19] and on July 3, in the United States and Canada.[14][20] A Japan release will follow on July 4,[21] and in Australia on July 6.[22]
Promotion
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6a/Chris_Brown_5%2C_2012.jpg/220px-Chris_Brown_5%2C_2012.jpg)
On November 18, 2011, "Strip", featuring Kevin McCall, was made available via iTunes Stores worldwide as a buzz single for the album.[23][24][25] The song achieved moderate success, reaching number 37 on the US Billboard Hot 100,[26] and number three on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[27] In January 2012, Brown released the first promotional photo for Fortune, which showed him posing against a white backdrop, dressed in a full length fur coat, black hoodie and jeans.[28] At the 54th Grammy Awards, held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California on February 12, 2012, Brown performed a medley of "Turn Up the Music" and "Beautiful People".[29] The performance featured Brown dressed in a white and gray varsity jacket, white pants and sparkling sneakers, performing heavily-choreographed routines with several dancers, atop a collection of blocks.[29] On February 26, 2012, he performed a truncated version of "Turn Up the Music" during the halftime show of the 2012 NBA All-Star Game in Orlando.[30]
The album's official cover (standard version) was revealed on February 29, 2012.[31] The cover art was shot by photographers Steven Gomillion and Dennis Leupold.[32] On the album cover, Brown is shown posing against a blue backdrop, dressed in a retro-inspired skinny suit, thin black tie and thick black-framed glasses, with "Fortune" tiled behind him in different languages.[31] Sarah Brotherton of MTV News wrote that the cover shows "a more mature, sleek side" to Brown.[33] On March 2, 2012, Brown released the first episode of his Fortune web series, showing him backstage at the 2012 Lo Nuestro Awards where he performed "International Love" with Pitbull, playing in a celebrity basketball game during NBA All-Star Weekend in Orlando with rappers Common, 50 Cent, T.I., and singer R. Kelly, as well as partying and dancing at the club.[34] In April 2012, Brown appeared in Australia as one of the performing acts for the urban music festival, Supafest.[35] His set list composed of thirteen songs, including "Turn Up the Music", "Till I Die", "Run It!", "Deuces", "Yeah 3x", "Look at Me Now", "Beautiful People", "She Ain't You", "Wet the Bed", "My Last", "Body 2 Body" and "Birthday Cake".[36] On May 8, 2012, Brown appeared on Dancing with the Stars (US) to perform "Turn Up the Music".[37] For the performance, Brown and his dancers wore suits.[37] He later performed the song at the 2012 Billboard Music Awards, held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on May 20, 2012.[38] The performance featured projected images on the stage backdrop and skate ramps on the stage.[38] The track listing for both the standard and deluxe editions of Fortune was revealed on May 29, 2012.[9]
Singles
"Turn Up the Music" was sent to US contemporary hit radio on February 7, 2012, as the album's lead single.[39][40] It was released digitally on February 10, 2012.[41] The song peaked at number 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, and reached the top ten on the singles charts in Australia and New Zealand.[42][43] It reached number one in the United Kingdom and became Brown's first number one single in the country.[44] "Sweet Love" impacted US urban contemporary radio on April 10, 2012, and urban mainstream radio on April 16, 2012, as the second single from the album.[45][46] It was released digitally on April 17, 2012.[47] The third single "Till I Die", featuring Big Sean and Wiz Khalifa, was also released digitally on April 17.[48][49] It officially impacted US rhythmic contemporary radio on May 1, 2012.[50] On May 11, 2012, Brown announced via Twitter that "Don't Wake Me Up" will be released as the album's next pop single.[51] It was released on iTunes Stores worldwide on May 18, 2012.[52] "Don't Wake Me Up" will officially impact US contemporary hit radio on June 12, 2012.[53]
Track listing
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Turn Up the Music" | Chris Brown, Harvey Mason, Jr., Damon Thomas, Alexander Palmer, Terence Cole, Michael Jimenez, Jeannine Sharp[54] | The Underdogs, Fuego[55] | 3:49 |
2. | "Bassline" | |||
3. | "Till I Die" (featuring Big Sean and Wiz Khalifa) | Nathan Hills[56] | Danja[56] | 3:57 |
4. | "Mirage" (featuring Nas) | Brown, Harmony "H Money" Samuels, Eric Bellinger, Nasir Jones, Kevin McCall[57] | ||
5. | "Don't Judge Me" | |||
6. | "2012" | |||
7. | "Biggest Fan" | Brown, Andre Davidson, Paul Davidson, Andrew Harris, Jermaine Jackson, Amber Streeter[58] | The Runners[59] | |
8. | "Sweet Love" | Brown, Greg Curtis, Jamal Jones, Cory Marks, Jason Perry, Tommy Doyle[60] | Polow da Don, Jason "JP" Perry[61] | 3:19 |
9. | "Strip" (featuring Kevin McCall) | Brown, McCall, Joseph Bereal, Justin Henderson, Streeter, Chris Whitacre[62] | Tha Bizness | 2:50 |
10. | "Stuck on Stupid" | |||
11. | "4 Years Old" | Brown, Tommy Hitz, Samuel Jean, Jones[63] | ||
12. | "Cadillac" (featuring SeVen) | Brown, Jean, Streeter[64] | ||
13. | "Don't Wake Me Up" | Benny Benassi, Free School[65] | 3:42 | |
14. | "Trumpet Lights" (featuring Sabrina Antoinette) | Brown, Jones, Kesia Hollins, Jerome "JRoc" Harmon, Shawn Boodram, Michel Boodram[66] |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
15. | "Tell Somebody" | Brown, Jones, Hollins, Harmon, S. Boodram, M. Boodram[67] | |
16. | "Free Run" | ||
17. | "Remember My Name" (featuring SeVen) | Brown, Ryan Buendia, Jonas Jeberg, Jean Baptiste, McCall, Mike McHenry, Streeter[68] | |
18. | "Wait for You" | Brown, Bellinger, Courtney Harrell, David Samuels[69] | |
19. | "Touch Me" (featuring SeVen) |
Release history
Region | Date | Format | Label | Edition(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Ireland[16] | June 29, 2012 | CD, digital download | Sony Music Entertainment | Standard, deluxe |
Germany[15] | Standard | |||
Netherlands[17] | ||||
France[19] | July 2, 2012 | |||
United Kingdom[18] | RCA Records | Deluxe | ||
Canada[20] | July 3, 2012 | Standard, deluxe | ||
United States[14] | ||||
Japan[21] | July 4, 2012 | CD | Sony Music Entertainment Japan | Standard |
Australia[22] | July 6, 2012 | CD, digital download | Sony Music Entertainment | Deluxe |
References
- ^ a b "Rap-Up TV: Kevin McCall speaks on Chris Brown's 'Fortune,' solo debut". Rap-Up. Devin Lazerine. September 2, 2011. Retrieved September 20, 2011.
- ^ a b c Cheung, Nadine (January 13, 2012). "Chris Brown Incorporating Dubstep Into 'Fortune' Album". PopCrush. Retrieved January 15, 2012.
- ^ a b "Chris Brown Enlists Nas for 'Fortune'". Rap-Up. Devin Lazerine. January 20, 2012. Retrieved January 21, 2012.
- ^ "Rap-Up's 10 Most Anticipated Albums of 2012". Rap-Up. Devin Lazerine. January 31, 2012. Retrieved February 1, 2012.
- ^ a b Markman, Rob (January 31, 2012). "Chris Brown 'This Generation's Michael Jackson', Duo Say". MTV News. Viacom. Retrieved February 1, 2012.
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(help) - ^ a b Lipshutz, Jason (March 1, 2012). "Chris Brown Sharing His 'Fortune' in May". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved March 3, 2012.
- ^ "2 Chainz to Appear on Nicki Minaj and Chris Brown's Albums". Rap-Up. Devin Lazerine. March 8, 2012. Retrieved March 9, 2012.
- ^ a b "Tracklisting: Chris Brown – 'Fortune'". Rap-Up. Devin Lazerine. May 29, 2012. Retrieved May 30, 2012.
- ^ "Chris Brown Considers Releasing F.A.M.E. Double Disc". RTTNews. January 3, 2011. Retrieved March 2, 2012.
- ^ Horowitz, Steven (March 15, 2011). "Chris Brown Plans 2 New Albums for 2011". The Boombox. AOL. Retrieved May 30, 2012.
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(help) - ^ "Unveiling The New Look RCA Records". FMQB. August 23, 2011. Retrieved March 3, 2012.
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(help) - ^ "Chris Brown Sets March 2012 For F.A.M.E. Follow-Up". Singersroom. November 16, 2011. Retrieved March 2, 2012.
- ^ a b c "Chris Brown Pushes 'Fortune' to July". Rap-Up. Devin Lazerine. April 22, 2012. Retrieved April 23, 2012.
- ^ a b "Fortune: Chris Brown". Amazon.de (in German). Retrieved April 29, 2012.
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(help) - ^ a b "Grammy Award Winner Chris Brown to Release 'Fortune' on 29th June". Sony Music Ireland. Retrieved May 30, 2012.
- ^ a b "Fortune, Chris Brown". Bol.com (in Dutch). Retrieved April 29, 2012.
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(help) - ^ a b "Buy Chris Brown – Fortune (Deluxe Edition)". Play.com. Retrieved April 29, 2012.
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(help) - ^ a b "Nouvelle date de sortie pour Fortune de Chris Brown" (in French). Sony Music France. April 25, 2012. Retrieved May 30, 2012.
- ^ a b "Fortune: Chris Brown". Amazon.ca. Retrieved May 30, 2012.
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(help) - ^ a b "Fortune". Hmv.co.jp. Retrieved May 30, 2012.
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(help) - ^ a b "Buy Fortune: Deluxe Edition Chris Brown, R&B, CD". Sanity. Retrieved May 2, 2012.
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(help) - ^ "iTunes – Music – Strip (feat. Kevin K-MAC McCall) – Single by Chris Brown". iTunes Store (United States). Apple. Retrieved November 24, 2011.
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(help) - ^ Corner, Lewis (January 26, 2012). "Chris Brown debuts new single 'Turn Up The Music'". Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi Médias. Retrieved January 28, 2012.
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(help) - ^ "Chris Brown Releases 'Turn Up The Music'". RTTNews. January 27, 2012. Retrieved January 28, 2012.
- ^ "Chris Brown Album & Song Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved May 30, 2012.
- ^ "Chris Brown Album & Song Chart History: R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved May 30, 2012.
- ^ Ballentine, Warren (January 12, 2012). "Chris Brown Shares His First 'Fortune' Promo Shot". WERE. Interactive One. Archived from the original on March 2, 2012.
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(help) - ^ a b Markman, Rob (February 12, 2012). "Chris Brown Returns To Grammys With Fancy Footwork". MTV News. Viacom. Retrieved February 12, 2012.
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(help) - ^ Lipshutz, Jason (February 27, 2012). "Pitbull, Chris Brown, Nicki Minaj Rock NBA All-Star Game: Videos". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved March 17, 2012.
- ^ a b "Album Cover: Chris Brown – 'Fortune'". Rap-Up. Devin Lazerine. February 29, 2012. Retrieved March 1, 2012.
- ^ Brotherton, Sarah (March 1, 2012). "Chris Brown Unveils 'Fortune' Album Art". Rapfix. Viacom. Retrieved March 3, 2012.
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(help) - ^ Brotherton, Sarah (March 1, 2012). "Chris Brown's Fortune Dropping May 8". MTV News. Viacom. Retrieved March 3, 2012.
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(help) - ^ "Chris Brown Takes Over Florida in First 'Fortune' Webisode". Rap-Up. Devin Lazerine. March 2, 2012. Retrieved March 3, 2012.
- ^ Gortan, Renata (April 11, 2012). "Chris Brown hits town for big bash Supafest". The Daily Telegraph. News Limited. Retrieved April 12, 2012.
- ^ Vout, Elise (April 17, 2012). "Supafest Review Part II". MTV Australia. Viacom. Retrieved May 30, 2012.
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(help) - ^ a b "Chris Brown Performs 'Turn Up the Music' on 'Dancing With the Stars'". Rap-Up. Devin Lazerine. May 8, 2012. Retrieved May 20, 2012.
- ^ a b "Chris Brown Performs Turn Up the Music at Billboard Music Awards". Rap-Up. Devin Lazerine. May 20, 2012. Retrieved May 21, 2012.
- ^ "Top 40/M Future Releases". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on February 7, 2012.
- ^ Lipshutz, Jason (January 26, 2012). "Chris Brown Releases 'Turn Up The Music' Single: Listen". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved January 27, 2012.
- ^ "Turn Up the Music – Single". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved February 11, 2012.
- ^ Trust, Gary (February 22, 2012). "Whitney Houston Has No. 2 Album, Grammys Push Big Gains on Billboard 200". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved February 23, 2012.
- ^ "Chris Brown – Turn Up The Music". australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved April 12, 2012.
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(help) - ^ Kreisler, Lauren (April 1, 2012). "Chris Brown turns it up to Number 1!". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 2, 2012.
- ^ "Urban/UAC Future Releases". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on April 10, 2012.
- ^ "Chris Brown – Sweet Love". A3.aastatic.com. Retrieved April 29, 2012.
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(help) - ^ "Chris Brown: Sweet Love". Amazon.com. Retrieved April 8, 2012.
- ^ "Till I Die (feat. Big Sean and Wiz Khalifa) Single by Chris Brown". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved April 18, 2012.
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(help) - ^ "Chris Brown New Singles 'Till I Die' and 'Sweet Love' Now Available On iTunes". Chrisbrownworld.com. April 17, 2012. Archived from the original on April 18, 2012.
- ^ "Top 40 Rhythmic Future Releases". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on April 25, 2012.
- ^ "Chris Brown Status". Twitter.com. May 11, 2012. Retrieved May 12, 2012.
- ^ "Don't Wake Me Up – Single van Chris Brown". iTunes Store (in Dutch). Apple. Retrieved May 19, 2012.
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(help) - ^ "CHR/Top 40: Week of June 12, 2012". Radio & Records. Retrieved May 20, 2012.
- ^ "BMI | Repertoire Search > Turn Up the Music". Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI). Retrieved May 30, 2012.
- ^ "Chris Brown Calls 'Turn Up the Music' Video His Best Yet". Rap-Up. Devin Lazerine. February 2, 2012. Retrieved February 3, 2012.
- ^ a b Quizon, Sabrina (April 11, 2012). "Listen To Chris Brown's 'Till I Die' Featuring Big Sean & Wiz Khalifa (Audio)". Ryanseacrest.com. Retrieved April 21, 2012.
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- ^ "BMI | Repertoire Search > Biggest Fan". Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI). Retrieved May 30, 2012.
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- ^ "BMI | Repertoire Search > Sweet Love". Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI). Retrieved May 30, 2012.
- ^ Greenwald, David (April 10, 2012). "Chris Brown Shares 'Sweet Love', 'Til I Die' Singles". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved April 11, 2012.
- ^ "BMI | Repertoire Search > Strip". Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI). Retrieved May 30, 2012.
- ^ "BMI | Repertoire Search > 4 Years Old". Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI). Retrieved May 30, 2012.
- ^ "BMI | Repertoire Search > Cadillac". Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI). Retrieved May 30, 2012.
- ^ "Chris Brown Heats Up the Desert in 'Don't Wake Me Up' Video". Rap-Up. Devin Lazerine. May 15, 2012. Retrieved May 30, 2012.
- ^ "BMI | Repertoire Search > Trumpet Lights". Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI). Retrieved May 30, 2012.
- ^ "BMI | Repertoire Search > Tell Somebody". Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI). Retrieved May 30, 2012.
- ^ "BMI | Repertoire Search > Tell Somebody". Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI). Retrieved May 30, 2012.
- ^ "BMI | Repertoire Search > Wait for You". Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI). Retrieved May 30, 2012.