Chris Brown - June 15

Just 16 when he had his first smash, the Tappahanncock, Virginia native has already sold some five million albums – and rising.

Influenced by Michael Jackson, Brown started out performing in his local church choir and in a variety of talent shows. He was discovered, aged 13, by a record producer who happened to stop by his father’s petrol station. He was signed to Def Jam records, before being wooed to Jive, the teen-pop specialists who gave the world Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake. "I picked Jive because they had the best success with younger artists in the pop market," he said of the decision. "I knew I was going to capture my African-American audience, but Jive had a lot of strength in the pop area as well as longevity in careers."
Soon he was touring with Ne-Yo and T-Pain and selling records by the tonne. His new album Graffiti debuted at No.7 in the US and sees Brown channelling his love of all things Prince and Jacko.

DID YOU KNOW?
• Brown had a cameo as a ‘band geek’ in an episode of The OC.
• He’s the first male singer since Montell Jordan to have a debut single go straight to No.1 in the US.
• As a child he loved soul music.
• He was a guest-rapper on Nas’ latest album Untitled.
• He’s also duetted with Jordin Sparks and T-Pain.