A quick word with teen R&B star Chris Brown

Chris Brown is enjoying his newfound success as an R&B singer.

Like most 17-year-old males, Brown has the bleary-eyed look of someone who would rather be anywhere than where he is. In town for a fleeting visit, TimeOut caught up with an over-tired and under-enthused singer who caused lines down Queen St when he turned up for an autograph session at an inner city record store.

You're here on a promo tour, do you have plans to come back and do a real gig?

Hopefully, during the summer in December.

Is this your first time here in New Zealand?

Yeah, this is actually my first time.

And how's it been?

It's been great.

I heard you had a pretty crazy time in Sydney, fights were breaking out over a hat you threw into the audience - is that right?

Yeah, but that's normal. That happens all the time. Was it scary? Not really, I'm used to it. In the States they do the same thing.

So what's the craziest thing that's happened to you since you've become a celebrity?

Just the success. Everything's just blown up in general, just havin' people to come and see me and stuff like that.

You're only 17, does your mum come on tour with you?

Yeah, she's on tour with me. She's cool, just whatever. She's your mum, she's on the road so you know. You're a kid, you want to do certain things then sometimes you can't.

Does she help fight off crazy fans and ladies hitting on you?

Nah, nah.

You've been compared to Usher a lot and there are rumours of rivalry between you. I know you've denied that, but hypothetically, if there was a celebrity death match between you two, who would win?

There you go startin' up the rivalry again [laughs]. No comment.

What's the best thing about your new-found fame?

It's great. Just being able to perform and going on stage and have fun. Seein' all the kids, see everybody that's there for you. As well as just going out there being able to interact with your audience and your fans.

Who are some of the people you would like to work with one day?

Probably Beyonce and Michael Jackson. Beyonce because of her voice. She puts a female stamp on things, she's one of the best female artists - R&B-wise and pop-wise. And Michael Jackson definitely, because he's one of my favourite artists of all time.

Cool, well I hope you get to have a sleep now.

Yeah, me too - I need it!