Chris Brown goes to jail early, out after 45 minutes, quits music

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Chris Brown’s name evokes controversy these days, so it’s easy to forget that he once had a role model image. From high school crooner to R&B star both idolized and vilified, here’s a brief look at Chris Brown’s life and career. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

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Chris Brown released his self-titled first album in 2005 after signing with Jive the year before at 15. His first single, “Run It,” debuted at No. 1, making it the highest-charting debut single for a male solo artist in Billboard history. (Matt Sayles / Associated Press)

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After rounding out 2006 with a few more hits -- “Yo (Excuse Me Miss)” and “Gimme That” with Lil Wayne -- and a couple of tours (both with Ne-Yo and Beyonce), Brown released his second album, “Exclusive,” in November 2007. (Paul Hawthorne / Getty Images)

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Following in the tradition of Michael Jackson, Usher and Justin Timberlake, Brown’s dance floor prowess played into his pop persona as much as his high notes. His breakout performance at the 2007 MTV Video Awards included a stunt-heavy dance medley and a “Billie Jean” tribute. (Christina House / For the Times)

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When it came to tween heartthrob status, Brown was second to only the Jonas Brothers in Bop and Tiger Beat covers. He was nominated for Teen Choice Awards and had his own “My Super Sweet 18” birthday special on MTV. (Richard Drew / Associated Press)

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Brown worked with everyone from the vocoder-happy T-Pain to his kiddie contemporary Bow Wow. In 2008, Chris sang on Lil Mama’s “Shawty Get Loose” and had a hit with “No Air,” a duet with “American Idol” alum Jordin Sparks that appeared on her debut album. (Kevin Winter / Getty Images)

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In the days after his arrest, Brown’s music was dropped from some radio stations, Wrigley’s and Got Milk? discontinued using his advertisements in their campaigns, and “Sesame Street” stopped airing the episode in which he guest-starred. (Marcel Antonisse / EPA)

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R&B singer Brown pleaded guilty in June 2009 to assaulting his former girlfriend, pop star Rihanna, in February of that year. Brown’s lawyers secured a last-minute deal that allowed him to avoid jail time and another public airing of the domestic-violence allegations. (Lori Shepler / Associated Press)

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Three years after he was arrested for assaulting his girlfriend Rihanna after a pre-Grammys party, Chris Brown received his first Grammy award when his album “F.A.M.E.” won best R&B album. Brown said nothing about his past deeds as he accepted the award on the telecast. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Hip-hop stars Chris Brown and Drake were reportedly in a nightclub brawl in New York in June 2012 that left four people injured.Speculation quickly arose that the blow-up may have involved Brown’s former girlfriend Rihanna, with whom Drake had been seen recently. ( Robert Gauthier and Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

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On Jan. 27, 2013, Chris Brown got into an altercation with fellow Grammy nominee (and later winner) Frank Ocean. An incident report disclosed that the fight began when Ocean approached Brown in the studio’s lobby, saying Brown had parked in Ocean’s assigned parking spot. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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The tumultuous couple officially got back together after months of openly flirting on Twitter, collaborating on the sex-themed song “Birthday Cake” and nonchalant “Nobody’s Business” and Rihanna professing her love to Chris Brown on “Oprah’s Next Chapter.” (Christopher Polk / Getty Images)

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At a probation hearing in November 2013 related to his 2009 conviction of assaulting Rihanna, Chris Brown was ordered by a judge to rehab for 90 days at an inpatient facility approved by officials. (David McNew / Getty Images)

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Forced to wear an orange jumpsuit to court, Chris Brown was ordered by a Los Angeles County judge to stay in jail without bail until April 23, pending a hearing to determine whether he violated terms of his probation. (Pool / Reuters)

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Chris Brown admitted violating his probation by committing a crime in the Washington, D.C., area and was promptly sentenced to a year in county jail by a Los Angeles Superior Court judge. (Pool / Getty Images)

By Nardine Saad

Aug. 6, 2013 4:34 PM PT

Chris Brown is allegedly retiring from music at the tender age of 24.

That is, if his Twitter account is to be believed.

The “Fine China” singer, whose career has been predominantly put in context of his tumultuous relationship with singer Rihanna, spent about 45 minutes in jail Monday as a result of a sentencing that stems from a May hit-and-run incident, according to TMZ.

PHOTOS: Chris Brown’s life in pictures

Following the fender-bender, Brown promptly took to Twitter to proclaim his innocence after allegedly rear-ending a Mercedes with a woman behind the wheel.

Brown reportedly went to jail a day early, according to the site, and was booked and released on his own recognizance. He is free until his Aug. 19 probation hearing in which he could face up to four years in jail if found in violation, MTV News reported.

Perhaps spending some time in the slammer, albeit brief, is what changed his outlook on life?

OK, sure.

Shortly after being released, the Grammy-winning singer was spotted at AV Nightclub in Hollywood with his entourage at a VIP table, the nightclub’s rep said. The following day, Brown took to Twitter to assure “America” that he was done being famous ... or infamous.

PHOTOS: Celebrity mug shots

“Don’t worry mainstream America. After this X album, it’ll probably be my last album,” Brown tweeted Tuesday.

“Being famous is amazing when it’s for ur music and talent,” he added. “I’m tired of being famous for a mistake I made when i was 18. I’m cool & over it!”

That mistake happens to be his 2009 beating of then-girlfriend Rihanna that left the songstress bloodied and bruised the night before the Grammy Awards. A media maelstrom followed when photos of Rihanna’s brutalized face leaked online.

The singer has repeatedly tried to reinvent himself and move away from the reckless persona he built. The album is slated to be released Aug. 26 after it was pushed back from July 16. On July 19, Brown held an online listening session to preview two of the slow jams from the album, “Something Special” and “Sex You Up.”

But in light of his latest run-ins with the law, it is unclear if Tuesday’s remarks are just another publicity stunt to get his project some more recognition.

The “F.A.M.E.” machine let out a tweet that made it seem that he was not yet done with the spoils of recognition.

“LA! I wanna chill with my biggest fans! Just tell @VEVO why you’re #TeamBreezy for a chance to meet me!!”

As always, the saga continues...

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