Chris Brown performs during opening night of The Breezy Bowl XX Tour at LoanDepot Park Robert Bell/INSTARimages
By
Sarah Polonsky
Published 38 minutes ago
Senior Music Editor at Screen Rant, Sarah's love of sound and story drive the beat. A globetrotting brand whisperer and award-winning journalist, she’s built cross-cultural narratives around the world—but music has always been her true north. She launched DJ Mag North America, successfully introducing the iconic UK brand to the U.S. market. Previously, she carved a space for EDM inside the pages of VIBE, blending electronic and hip-hop culture long before it was trendy.
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On Nov. 26, 2005, a 16-year-old named Chris Brown sprinted to No. 1 with his debut single “Run It!,” instantly becoming the next big thing in R&B. The Scott Storch–produced track landed at the exact intersection of the Usher era, the ringtone boom, and the last gasp of TRL dominance. Overnight, Brown wasn’t just competing with the greats—he was positioned as the heir. Two decades later, that No. 1 hit tells us the beginning of both the ascent and the fracture that have defined his career ever since.
The Teen Hit That Changed The 2000s
From the jump, the appeal was obvious: a fresh face, a clean-cut Virginia kid with enough charisma to make the choreography look effortless and enough vocal range to keep radio on repeat. “Run It!” hit differently for myriad reasons: his obvious skills were on par with the likes of Michael Jackson or Justin Timberlake, so there's that. Something about the tune reminded listeners of an old favorite that also sounded like the future.
Neither retro nor derivative, "Run It" and Brown were built for the moment and the moment devoured it. Brown had the kind of early success that usually comes only once a generation, the type that flips an artist from newcomer to superstar almost instantly.
But the beginning also holds the tension that’s followed him through every phase of his career. “Run It!” marked the rise of an undeniable talent whose commercial streak would become almost unmatched in modern R&B, but it also set the stage for a level of scrutiny that would intensify after his highly publicized legal troubles. Looking back at that first No. 1 now, it’s impossible to separate the brilliance from the shadow. The paradox will never fade, it’s baked into the last decade of discourse around him.
A Complicated Legacy Still Shaped By “Run It!”
Chris Brown Rides On An ATV Shirtless During A Video Shoot
INFphoto.comThere’s also the industry context. Brown’s early success came at a time when labels were obsessed with finding the next teenage phenom who could dance, act, sing, and sell a million ringtones before breakfast. “Run It!” was the proof of concept that the strategy worked. His crossover appeal was immediate, and his sales numbers became the latest strategy plan for how the industry would treat young male R&B acts for years. Even today, streaming-era stars chase the kind of clean, explosive first impression Brown delivered as a teenager.
Still, the power of “Run It!” endures. Spend five seconds on TikTok or scrolling Instagram Reels and it’s there—revived, remixed, or blasted at a party by someone who wasn’t even alive when it topped the Hot 100. The track remains a time capsule of mid-2000s pop culture, but it also represents the complicated legacy of the artist who made it.
Two decades after “Run It!” hit No. 1, the song stands as the clearest snapshot of Chris Brown’s place in the culture: a prodigious talent, a generational chart force, and a deeply polarizing figure whose career has never been just one story. The debut single that made him a superstar is still the one that explains him best.
Where Chris Brown Stands In 2025
Career: Still a consistent charting artist with enormous streaming numbers and one of the most engaged R&B fanbases.
Public Perception: Divisive, defined heavily by the 2009 assault case and subsequent allegations.
Live Presence: Continues to tour internationally with strong ticket sales.
Cultural Impact: TikTok and streaming have turned many tracks into second-life hits, keeping him relevant to younger listeners.
Legacy: A technically gifted singer, dancer, and hitmaker whose career remains irreversibly shaped by his legal history
Chris Brown: 20-Year Timeline Since “Run It!” Hit No. 1 (2005–2025)
A Full Look At The Rise, Fallout, Reinventions, And Where He Stands Today.
Year
Key Events
Notes
2005
“Run It!” hits No. 1 (Nov. 26). Debut album goes 2x Platinum.
Launches as R&B’s new teenage phenom.
2006
“Yo (Excuse Me Miss)” charts; joins Scream Tour; appears in Stomp the Yard.
Solidifies star status.
2007
Releases Exclusive with “Kiss Kiss” (No.1), “With You.”
Peak pop-R&B dominance.
2008
“Forever” becomes a global hit; stars in This Christmas; high-profile relationship with Rihanna.
The entire industry bets on him.
2009
Felony assault of Rihanna (Feb). Pleads guilty, probation, community labor. Major fallout.
Career and public image dramatically derail.
2010
Graffiti underperforms; BET Awards MJ tribute becomes a cultural flashpoint.
Attempted comeback begins.
2011
F.A.M.E. era (“Look at Me Now,” “Yeah 3X”). Wins Grammy for Best R&B Album.
Commercially rebounds. Public perception stays split.
2012
Releases Fortune. Alleged nightclub brawls (Drake, Frank Ocean).
Legal issues re-ignite negative press.
2013
X rollout begins; hit-and-run charge (later dismissed); rehab, later arrested for probation violation.
Increasing instability.
2014
Drops X with “Loyal” and “New Flame.” Gains traction on urban radio.
Momentum returns despite controversies.
2015
Releases Royalty. Fathers his first child; shifts into fatherhood era.
Fanbase begins to stabilize.
2016
“Back to Sleep” remix run; restraining order filed by Karrueche Tran alleging abuse.
More allegations complicate image.
2017
Drops Heartbreak on a Full Moon (45 tracks) which becomes a streaming juggernaut.
New phase: Chris Brown thrives in streaming economy.
2018
Signs historic 50/50 deal with RCA; “Undecided” kicks off another run.
Moves toward more autonomy.
2019
Indigo era with “No Guidance” (feat. Drake). Major worldwide hit.
One of the biggest songs of his career.
2020
Drops Slime & B with Young Thug (“Go Crazy”). Global TikTok smash.
TikTok gives him a Gen-Z resurgence.
2021
“Go Crazy” becomes the longest-running No. 1 on R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay. Prepares next album era.
Streaming and radio success continues.
2022
Releases Breezy and embarks on international “Under the Influence” resurgence.
“Under the Influence” unexpectedly blows up 3 years after release.
2023
11:11 era; “Sensational” and “Summer Too Hot.” Collaborates with Ciara, Davido, Wizkid.
Cross-genre collaborations expand his reach.
2024
Touring globally; “Angel Numbers” trend; remains popular on TikTok. Continues to face public pushback online.
The paradox intensifies: huge streams, constant controversy.
2025
20th anniversary of “Run It!” topping the Hot 100. Prepping new music; still charting regularly; legacy remains divided.
One of the most commercially successful yet polarizing R&B stars ever.
Headshot Of Chris Brown
Chris Brown
Birthdate
May 5, 1989
Birthplace
Tappahannock, Virginia, USA
Notable Projects
Takers, Battle of the Year
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