Chris Brown takes the U.S. Census very seriously.

The R&B singer is doing his part to get the word out, heading up a rally at Virginia Union University intended to inspire people to fulfill their civic duty.

Otherwise he will pummel you senseless. Just kidding. But all peeps are required by law to fill it out, the struggling-to-stay-relevant star told the crowd.

Brown addressed why he wanted to get involved: "This isn't like a career move for me per se. It's not like I'm promoting my album, records and stuff."

"It's more of me coming out being able to show kids and be what I am, a role model. I know a lot of kids look up to me." At least at one point ...

Listen to Chris Brown, Census haters. [Photo: PacificCoastNewsOnline.com]

While Rihanna cheered on Matt Kemp in L.A., Brown insisted he wasn't at the rally simply as a means of taking attention off his previous walloping of her.

"Well, it does [help my image], but it's not about the image. It's about a positive cause," he said. "It's not for a charitable event so I can look good."

"It's not. It's a natural thing that I really wanted to do."

Brown admitted in an interview that he was confused at first: "I was unaware of it in the beginning too, I was like, 'I'm not too sure what the census is.'"

Fortunately, Have You Ever Beaten Your Girlfriend Senseless Over a Booty Call Text Message is not a question on it ... just name, address and stuff.