It looks like Chris Brown had a lot to discuss with Billboard. In his cover story with the magazine, the singer opened up about his time behind bars, creativity and Rihanna.

The singer has recently been in headlines after Suge Knight was shot at a pre-VMAs party hosted by Brown. In addition to his interview, Chris released a statement exclusively to the publication regarding the past few months:

“I realize that what I do for a living opens my life to public scrutiny and that I have a responsibility to everyone because of that exposure. I can say that I am only human and I have made mistakes. I can say that I try to live my life in the most true, honest way that I can. I am not perfect, no one is. No one is harder on me than me. No one can please everyone. No one can live in the past and expect to grow. I have been moving forward and hope that I am not defined by just a few moments in my life but all of the moments that will make up my life.”

You can read his full cover story right here, but we grabbed the five biggest things we learned:

Chris describes his experience in jail as a lifestyle of "regime and structure."

The singer explains he didn't work on music while he was incarcerated, although he did continue to draw.

"I’m more of a free spirit when it comes to creating music, painting and art," he said. "So when I got out, I was very excited to get into the studio. I didn’t have any ideas or concepts; they usually come as I go [in to record]. I was drawing and sketching most of the time, biding time."

People will continue to talk about him and Rihanna ... for now.

"When we’re not relevant anymore, that might be the case," he told Billboard. "As long as you’re doing something good, people will always bring up old stuff or negative stuff because they don’t want you to surpass a certain level or elevate. But as long as you have your head on straight, it shouldn’t matter what people want to say."

He doesn't force his status as a role model.

Chris acknowledges that he's made mistakes, but also that he's had more life experiences than people 15 years his senior. However, he won't give himself the title of "role model."

"As far as becoming a man in the public eye, continuing to persevere and stay positive throughout trials and tribulations … that’s the only thing I’d say contributes to my being a role model," he says. "If kids look up to me, that’s amazing; great. As far as me as an artist and a person, I always want to exude positivity. But as far as saying, 'Hey, I’m a role model, I’m the best of this,' I take the humble approach and let people make that decision for themselves."

If he wasn't a singer, he would be an artist.

Creativity is clearly a driving force in Chris' life.

"I would be somewhere in the industry, but not necessarily around music," he says of alternate careers. "It would be more like fashion design, or I’d probably be a painter or street artist. I’m eclectic, with different styles of creativity. But painting is one of my biggest passions. I just started getting back into it since I’ve been so focused on music. It’s not like, 'OK, I’ve got to do an art show so people buy my paintings.'

He's an optimist.

"I just feel positive about life in general," he tells Billboard. "Whatever happens will happen, and God has me. I’m going to keep my faith and be focused on my family, friends, fans and music. And from there just be the best Chris Brown I can be."

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