Chris Brown Tells Story of Getting His First Tattoo at the Age of 13

In a new interview, Chris Brown discusses his childhood, getting his first tattoo at the age of 13, and his mother's surprising reaction.

Brown has made a name for himself not only for his music and often controversial public image, but also for his heavily adorned skin. Brown's tattoos are as big a part of his public identity as "Run It" or his controversial TMZ headlines. Now, Brown has decided to give audiences a taste of the history of his ink, as well as his childhood.

Brown also discusses the spiritual impetus for many of his tattoos with Urban Ink.

"My first tattoo was a Jesus with musical notes," Brown explains. "Basically signifying that God gave me the gift to sing. I was 13, but my mom didn't know I got it. When she saw it, she went crazy, like, 'What are you doing?' I showed her. I said, 'It's Jesus, mama, look.' So she kind of cooled down, but I still got in trouble."

Browns body is spangled in tattoos; the popular recording artist has already amassed over 50 in his 26 years on the planet. Brown's most recent tattoo depicts a bull and the Greek goddess Aphrodite. This is meant to symbolize Brown's zodiac sign: Taurus.

"For me, I don't try to focus too much on particulars when getting a tattoo," Brown says. "Granted sometimes it has a deep meaning, like a milestone, and sometimes it's just a stepping-stone in my life. I'll look at a tattoo and say, 'Oh, I remember where I was at when I got this tattoo.' Those moments are captured within the tattoos. I believe overthinking is probably what most people do, so I just try to let it flow. I use that same philosophy when I am getting my own artwork tattooed on me. I give my tattoo artist a lot of freedom."

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