Chris Brown has publicly aired his displeasure with critical responses to his latest studio album, "Brown." In a series of social media posts, the singer directed his frustrations towards listeners and reviewers, notably suggesting those who dislike his music "go listen to motherfucking Zara Larsson or somebody." The album, his twelfth, was released recently and has faced a barrage of negative reviews.
The core of the dispute appears to stem from sharp critiques of the album's artistic merit, with at least one review describing it as "soulless, hit-chasing" and "bereft of any ideas that don’t have to do with its star’s own victimhood." This critical reception has fueled online discourse, with fans defending Brown by pointing to his continued commercial success through streaming numbers, chart performance, and touring popularity.
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Brown's pointed mention of Swedish pop singer Zara Larsson did not emerge from a vacuum. Social media users have resurfaced Larsson's past public statements where she expressed having blocked Brown on Spotify, citing his history of domestic abuse. This connection has added another layer to the online reaction, with some users drawing comparisons between the two artists' streaming figures and critical reception, suggesting Larsson is currently faring better in those metrics.
Brown addressed the backlash in a selfie-style video shared to his Instagram Stories. While he did not explicitly reference the most scathing reviews, his comments were perceived as a direct response to the general negativity surrounding "Brown." This is not the first instance of Brown engaging with criticism of the album, though this particular public reaction has generated significant attention and, for some observers, a sense of secondhand embarrassment.
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The controversy unfolds against the backdrop of Brown's upcoming stadium tour with Usher, scheduled to commence in June. The album itself is also set to serve as a centerpiece for this tour. Public conversation surrounding Brown's career has, for over a decade, been closely intertwined with his legal history.
