American singer Chris Brown has offered a homeless beatmaker new music equipment and a phone containing his personal number, in a gesture that has attracted widespread goodwill online.
A viral video shows Brown spending time with Ellison “Red” Anderson, a musician living on the streets, before presenting him with new clothes, music gear and a mobile phone.
Brown told Anderson that his personal number and those of several members of his team had been saved on the handset, giving the musician a direct way to reach him and his associates.
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The gesture comes as Anderson deals with personal loss. During their conversation, he disclosed that he recently lost his girlfriend of nine years to liver cirrhosis.
He also spoke about plans to visit his son, with the encounter drawing attention to the challenges he faces while living on the streets.
Brown’s decision to share his contact details with Anderson has prompted reactions online, with some describing it as more than a material donation because it could create opportunities for the beatmaker to connect with people in the music industry.
However, claims that Brown would finance Anderson’s trip to see his son or that the pair planned to work together musically have not been independently confirmed.
The gesture comes amid renewed public attention on Brown following criticism of his recent Atlanta performance with fellow American singer Usher.
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