F.A.M.E. (Chris Brown album)

Composition

F.A.M.E. was defined by critics as a "musical kaleidoscope", containing songs of many genres including R&B, pop, hip hop, dancehall, soft rock and Europop. Its sound was complimented for being consistent despite its diversity of genres.^[1] The lyrical content concentrates on finding positivity in life, through genuineness, romantic love, desire, self-assurance, sex and light-hearted pleasure. F.A.M.E. is considered to be Brown's album that defined his musical style and persona.^[1]


Brown's vocal performances on the album mostly exhibit his R&B singing, characterized by harmonization and melisma.^[1] Critics commended the singing performances on the album for being "variegated", mostly displaying his natural timbre, but also having sporadic usages of autotune. On the record the singer occasionally raps, marking his first studio album that features this type of performance by Brown.^[1]


The opening track, "Deuces", which features Kevin McCall and Tyga, is a slow, downtempo alternative R&B track that starts off the album telling "a bitter male point of view of his failed relationship", where the artists affirm that they moved on to a better moment in their life, reminiscing the pain caused by their past lover.^[1] Joanne Dorken of MTV UK noted that the song shows off Brown's "well-harmonized smooth vocals".^[1] The following tracks of F.A.M.E. have a more uplifting mood, showcased by lively musical arrangements. "Up 2 You" is an R&B ballad, which follows on from the break-up theme. The song was likened to the musical styles of Bobby Brown^[19] and Usher.^[1] "Next to You", featuring Justin Bieber, is a "thumping mid-tempo pop&B track".^[1][20] In the song, they both sing about their love for a girl.^[1] Sarah Rodman from The Boston Globe wrote that the song "offers one of Brown's most tender vocals to date".^[21] The third track, "No Bullshit", is an R&B slow-jam, which features sexual content and a "classic 90's feel", with its instrumental combining percussion instruments, piano chords and a tenor flute.^[1]


The album's up-tempo tracks, "Yeah 3x", and the album's last track "Beautiful People", both feature house and Europop influences.^[1] "Yeah 3x" was compared to Brown's single "Forever" (2008), and was likened to the musical styles of The Black Eyed Peas, Usher and Jay Sean, while "Beautiful People" was noted for its progressive house and dancehall influences. Its lyrics encourage a positive view of life.^{[22][23][24][25]} The fourth track, "Look at Me Now", which features American rappers Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes, is a braggadocious "dirty south" hip hop song,^[26][27] featuring "fast-rapping" from Brown, Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes.^[28] The song was musically compared to Soulja Boy's work and Cali Swag District's "Teach Me How to Dougie" (2010).^[29] The fifth track, "She Ain't You", is an R&B mid-tempo, with Brown paying tribute to his biggest inspiration, Michael Jackson. It samples Jackson's single "Human Nature" (1983) and SWV's "Right Here" (1993).^[1] "Should've Kissed You", is a "pop&B" ballad about the indecision of giving an overthought first kiss to the loved one.^[1] The ninth track, "All Back", is a soft rock ballad that features "raw vocals and prominent guitar".^[1] It was musically compared to Ryan Tedder's work.^[30] Brown revisits his rapping skills on the alternative hip-hop tracks "Say It With Me" and "Oh My Love", that both feature influences from disco in their chouruses, and from rock in their productions.^[1] "Bomb", which features Wiz Khalifa, is a dancehall-rap track, and was musically compared to Beenie Man's work.^[1] The closing track of the deluxe edition, "Beg for It", is an R&B slow-jam with sexual lyrics, inspired by early works of singer R. Kelly.^[1]