The Problem With... Chris Brown's "Look At Me Now (Feat. Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes)"


I tell ya, Chris Brown's pattern of emotional breakdowns makes for some good drama. It's kinda like watching a show about cakes -- I don't really care about the cakes, I just want to see them fall over. Cakes and celebrities are similar in that way.

Anyway, Brown's been complaining lately that we praise Charlie Sheen while disapproving of him. Well, actually, Chris, Sheen is a train wreck all his own -- and we're watching both of you guys with amazement and schadenfreude.

Problem is, Chris, your emotional state gets in the way of your work. Consistently, too.

For instance, take either Chris' breakdown during his Michael Jackson tribute at last year's BET Awards or his recent tirade on the set at Good Morning, America.

I guess that's what he means by "Hit it, hit it, hit it, smash."

Anyway, Brown's single from a few months ago, "Look At Me Now," mostly just shows us more of his lackluster rapping skills, while he tries to garner some other artists' glory for himself.

Breezy's contribution to the song is two verses, with the first verse cribbing Soulja Boy Tell 'Em's already-lazy delivery to throw a few Asian jokes, and the second tripping over itself as Brown takes four lines to marvel at his use of the word "dick."

Really: The only reason this track matters at all is because Busta Rhymes and Lil Wayne take the reins after Brown's awful opening. And, hell yeah, it's pretty sweet hearing Busta throwing out rapid-fire rhymes to go with nauseating camera techniques. Really brings you back, y'know?

Meanwhile, Weezy also throws out some choice lines -- like when he raps, "Your girlfriend a freak like Cirque Du Soleil." Oh Weezy, you're just the best.

It's interesting that Brown needed this sort of help -- especially in the context of the release of his latest, F.A.M.E. More specifically: What has Brown learned? As it turns out, not much.

This track, and other genre-swiping stuff on F.A.M.E., just shows that Chris Brown still has a lot of growin' up to do.

Like this Story?

Sign up for the Music Newsletter: Keep your thumb on the local music scene with music features, additional online music listings and show picks. We'll also send special ticket offers and music promotions available only to our Music Newsletter subscribers.

Privacy Policy
Sign up for free stuff, news info & more!

Tools

Clubs

Events

Browse Voice Nation
  • Voice Places

    Voice Places

    Discover restaurants, nightlife, travel, shopping...

  • VOICE Daily Deals

    VOICE Daily Deals

    Get 50 to 90% off every day on restaurants, movies, massages...

  • Best Of

    Best Of...

    More than 10,000 of the BEST things to eat, drink, and experience

  • My Voice Nation

    My Voice Nation

    Join the Village Voice community and get exclusive deals and info

  • Happy Hour

    Happy Hour

    Your local Happy Hour guide at your fingertips

or

Log in or Sign up

Social Connect:

Use your favorite account to access My Voice Nation.


Use your My Voice Nation account to log in:





Forgot password?
or

Sign Up or Log in

Social Connect:

Sign up for My Voice Nation with your preferred network.


Sign up for a My Voice Nation account:



Privacy policy