Outside of music, Chris Brown also has a passion for graffiti. So naturally, he saw the side of his Hollywood Hills home as a perfect legal canvas for him to do his art. Unfortunately according to his neighbors and the city of Los Angeles, he's still breaking the law.
Scott Levin, a representative from Councilman Tom LaBonge indicates that "several reports of a violation" have come from people in the area not too pleased with Brown's murals. When the complaints were passed to the Department of Building and Safety, Chris was ordered to remove the graffiti or pay a fine.
"The City of Los Angeles has a sign ordinance that prohibits murals on single-family homes," Levin said. "This is standard practice."
This is not the first time Brown has been subject to criticism from his neighborhood, as he's also received complaints due to loud parties and speeding cars in the past.
View Chris's art in the gallery above. Should he be forced to remove it, or should he be allowed to display the art he chooses on his own home?
[via]
[Update: Brown Fined, Reacts On Twitter]
As reported by Rap-Up, L.A. city code officials have fined Brown $376 for failure to remove "unpermitted and excessive signage." Several of his neighbors have described his graffiti characters as an eyesore, and claim they're scaring their children.
“There are lots of babies, lots of children, and they’re literally frightened. It’s like devils on the wall - big scary eyes and big scary teeth, and just the whole vibe is not what we’re used to,” said Patti Negri, president of the Hollywood Dell Civic Association. “I know a $300 fine is probably pocket change. But hopefully and maybe, he’ll just see the light and decide to be a good neighbor... We’re happy to have him - if he just tones it down.”
Brown's been ordered to remove his work within 30 days, but his lawyer Mark Geragos is taking a stand. “They are trying to suspend the First Amendment,” he said, also claiming the neighbors have been harassing the singer by calling animal control on him and filing parking complaints.
Read Brown's reaction to the complaints below:
https://twitter.com/_/status/333465448622460928