Chris Brown has received some less than positive media in the past, specifically stemming from a domestic violence incident involving ex-girlfriend Rihanna. But the 21-year-old R&B star is headed towards 'F.A.M.E.' with his forthcoming new album. Brown talks with 97.1 AMP about his career progression, how he chose his collaborations, and how he has bettered himself since then.

The 'With You' hitmaker's upcoming album, 'F.A.M.E.' -- which drops on March 22 -- boasts collaborations with some huge names including Ludacris, Justin Bieber, Wiz Khalifa, Game, Big Sean, and Timbaland (though Brown says that 20 rappers is a crowd).

"There’s so many people on this album that I had a great relationship with, so being able to work with them in the studio was like a blessing," he tells listeners. “My bar was already high. I had, like, 15 to 20 people I already wanted to do songs with. But I didn’t want to place everybody on the whole album, because I didn’t want a whole featured album."

Unlike the boot-wearing country cowboys and skinny-jean rocking hipsters of the music world, being in the R&B game is about the ladies. Brown admits that his surroundings -- and beautiful naked women -- were a big inspiration to him in the making of 'F.A.M.E.':

"If I want to write more of the super urban more off of the super-urban ghetto stuff, I usually turn the black lights on in the studio, make it like a club environment," he says. “Might have a couple girls comes by, just for inspiration. A lot of beautiful girls. Honestly, though, you know how you’ll hear stories about Prince, how he used to have weird parties or whatever was the case? I always wanted to do stuff like that, like in the studio have naked girls walk around, just to have them walk around for inspiration. I know that sounds weird."

AMP then asked Brown what the letters in his new record title stand for, and the young hip-hopper spilled that the name has two meanings. One, Forgive All My Enemies -- which C.B. says "basically shows the growth of me as a young guy. Maturity, coming-of-age, finding oneself and learning more about responsibility." The other, Fans Are My Everything, is a nod to his dedicated fanbase:

"They’ve kind of taken the whole internet thing and the whole network of global and marketing to a whole ‘nother level with their campaign. So, you know, I just appreciate them and I just wanted to dedicate my album to them. Let them know that without them this would be possible.”

From boy to man, from gum commercials to court dates, the world is curious about the evolution of the young songster. "I was stuck in this kind of good-boy thing … Not saying I’m a bad guy, trying to be a bad boy, but I just feel like I’m more real now. I can be honest on the record. I can say what I want."

We've still got a week until the 'F.A.M.E' debut, but the new video for 'Look At Me Now' featuring Busta Rhymes and Lil Wayne should double your pleasure in the meantime.

Watch the Chris Brown, 'Look at Me Now' Video

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