Chris Brown Responds to Chloe Bailey Collaboration Backlash

After Chloe Bailey was met with backlash on social media following her announcement of a collaboration with Chris Brown, Brown has spoken up on the matter. Bailey’s song from her debut solo album, “How Does It Feel”, drops on February 24, with an accompanying music video featuring Brown.

Chris Brown remains a controversial figure in the music industry, and specifically in the R&B world. Brown plead guilty to domestic abuse charges against ex-girlfriend Rihanna for an incident in 2009. While Brown stated that he since apologized to Rihanna privately for the incident and frequently expresses regret, there are several other allegations and comments that keep turning heads.

In a statement posted to his Instagram story, Brown essentially told people to move on from his past, and compared his previously abusive relationship to that of Chrisean Rock and Blueface, who currently appear in their reality show Crazy in Love.

Chris brown says why y’all hate him over a mistake he made at 17 while y’all love BLUEFACE for beating the breaks off Chrisean rock and her doing the same to him? Why y’all don’t keep the same energy pic.twitter.com/zVcR2uzcIC

— DJ Akademiks (@Akademiks) February 17, 2023

Some pointed out the invalidity of Brown’s argument, as both his own cases and Blueface’s have caused public concern. Additionally, Brown was older than 17 at the time of the Rihanna incident, unlike what he has claimed.

Mind you, chris brown was 19 going on 20 when he beat Rihanna- not 17

— I SAID WHAT I SAID (@theericklouis) February 17, 2023

Chris Brown after seeing Blueface and Chrisean Rock get all the love for physical abuse pic.twitter.com/28YQvTPwWQ

— Weekly Newsical (@WeeklyNewsical) February 17, 2023

Brown then went on to post photos of white celebrities who have also been involved in domestic abuse cases or have allegations against them. Most of them continue to maintain successful careers in entertainment. Despite the widespread internet backlash, Brown remains a successful artist as well. Brown alleges that there is a racial bias involved in the negative publicity that has shrouded his career.

https://twitter.com/DijahSB/status/1626659120727179266?s=20

Chris Brown defends himself from backlash over his domestic violence history by sharing white celebrities who also have domestic violence charges.

“Where are the cancel culture with these white artist…” pic.twitter.com/RoZXuO7nYs

— Pop Base (@PopBase) February 17, 2023

In wake of the Me Too and Time’s Up movements that seek justice for survivors of sexual abuse and assault, pop culture has begun taking a close look at celebrities with a history of problematic behavior. Because of this, some pointed out that the celebrities Brown mentioned on his story were all already receiving similar treatment online.

chris brown in that instagram post saying "hey guys i was only evil ONCE (lie) but you gotta call all the other evil people evil too!!" like oh baby i was gone do that anyway so what now…

— zae (@itszaeok) February 17, 2023

Critics of Brown were also quick to reference his several other incidents of abuse that happened in recent years. Last year, Brown’s ex-girlfriend Karrueche Tran was granted a five-year restraining order against him after he threatened to kill her. While Brown has apologized to Rihanna, it appears that his continued cycle of abuse is what continues to ignite controversy.

at 28 karrueche was granted a 5-year domestic violence restraining order against chris brown, who was also 28 years old, because he was beating her during their relationship and threatened to kill her

why does cb and his stans pretend his abusive behavior stopped w/ rihanna https://t.co/iUFqTrcCKb

— fae | سَحَر ⋆ *. ⋆ ꫂ ၴႅၴ (@cooki3faun) February 17, 2023

Karreuche literally played the messages with Chris Brown threatening to literally *k:ll* her ON HER VOICEMAIL and in TEXT MESSAGES for the judge in the courtroom and THAT is why she was awarded a 5 yr “permanent” restraining order against him. THEY DONT JUST HAND THOSE OUT.

— Adrienne | Creative Consultant and Soap Queen ???? (@brownandbella) February 17, 2023

If you think Chris Brown's history of abuse, manipulation, and harassment starts and stops at his 2009 assault of Rihanna — you're either dumb AF, obtuse AF, and/or woefully ignorant.

Or you just don't care and you can say that and stan away.

But stop acting like that was it.

— Ernest Owens (@MrErnestOwens) February 17, 2023

Despite the backlash, Brown still received plenty of support from his fans, who think that the industry needs to move on from his past allegations. Some feel that the current sociopolitical climate allows for little space for men to grow and move past allegations like Brown’s.

Love the fact that Chris Brown is finally taking up for himself. Y’all are hypocrites and be picking and choosing when to play high moral.

— Toni Childs (@Vitaminndeee) February 17, 2023

Yall don’t really hate Chris Brown yall just like having a reason to bash men. Rihanna hit him first they both have had children and whole separate lives. They don’t care about it and yall should really let them move past that.

— Paris (@_ParadiseParis1) February 17, 2023

Chris brown cooking and calling out the industry as we speak. Bunch of hypocrites everywhere. DV doesn't cross their minds unless cb is brought up. Keep going @chrisbrown, the American media won't bring them up or crucify them cuz they're wh….. ???????? pic.twitter.com/hkrcU7XzqQ

— KING GOZI (@TorontoCeltics) February 17, 2023

R&B fans continued to point out other male artists that Bailey could have chosen to collaborate with instead of Brown, whose controversies are now shedding a negative light on her debut solo album.

Before y'all start, Chloe had options.

PLENTY to choose from other than Chris Brown.

Here we go:

Luke James
Bryson Tiller
Lucky Daye
Khalid
Giveon
Berwyn
Samm Henshaw
Venna
Tay Iwar
Jvck James
Reggie Becton
Brent Faiyaz
PJ Morton
Leon Bridges

This was a choice. A CHOICE.

— Ernest Owens (@MrErnestOwens) February 16, 2023

All the meanwhile, Chloe Bailey continues to receive backlash over her collaboration with Brown, with many citing his misogynoir. Bailey has yet to issue a statement regarding the collaboration and the controversy it has caused.

OH BITCH, FUCK CHRISTOPHER MAURICE, FOREAL. @ChloeBailey this is who you've chose tie your debut album to. Someone that decides to point out all the OTHER abusers in the industry instead of accepting accountability, sitting there, AND EATING HIS FOOD.

This is GROSS. ???????? https://t.co/KMGlzEadvB pic.twitter.com/jlCtPHWmGI

— ✨️????????Glam Spice????????✨️ (@gorgeousglamher) February 17, 2023

In wake of Brown’s posts on his Instagram story, some are also now shining a light on Emma Roberts’ previous domestic abuse allegations against ex boyfriend actor Evan Peters. Peters chose not to press charges and the situation was handled privately, with Roberts receiving few consequences over it.

Fuck Chris Brown but the amount of people defending Emma Roberts is sickening https://t.co/TBQDiiLHgZ

— iicctwtysy @ hive social (@iicctwtysy) February 17, 2023

The situation with Brown has led many to reevaluate how the public has treated previous domestic abuse and violence cases, and also his own–which just might be the opposite of what he wanted to accomplish.