Over the weekend, rapper Fat Joe stirred up conversation by comparing Chris Brown to Michael Jackson. During an Instagram Live session, Joe emphasized Brown’s talents and legacy in the music industry. He stated, “If Chris Brown never got into the controversy with Rihanna, we would be calling him Michael Jackson right now. Not like Michael Jackson — Michael Jackson.”
Fat Joe Praises Chris Brown’s Talent
Fat Joe’s admiration for Chris Brown’s artistry is evident. He continued, “He is the most talented singer, artist, performer, and hitmaker of our time. There’s nobody even close to Chris Brown.” Joe believes it’s time to move past Brown’s infamous 2009 domestic violence incident with Rihanna. He said, “It’s been 20-something years. There are no more incidents. We gon’ let this lifetime go by without saying the truth?”
Moving Past Controversy
Joe addressed the reluctance to acknowledge Brown’s talent due to his past. He explained, “When the truth is an unpopular decision, everybody gets scared to say it. They get canceled — especially famous people.” He emphasized that the streets, in contrast to mainstream opinion, still recognize and celebrate Brown’s talent.
Fat Joe also touched upon the broader issue of “cancel culture.” He mentioned R. Kelly, stating, “The streets still bumping R. Kelly. He’s in jail, he did terrible things. They still bumping R. Kelly.” Joe clarified he doesn’t condone R. Kelly’s actions but highlighted how public opinion and legal issues impact an artist’s legacy.
Chris Brown’s Continued Success
Despite his past, Chris Brown continues to thrive in the music industry. Fat Joe urged the public to appreciate Brown’s extensive body of work and numerous hits. He concluded, “So what I’m tryna say is that it’s a shame that we lying and we not giving it up to the king of R&B. We be thinking he could battle Michael Jackson, that’s all I’m tryna say.”
Brown himself has reflected on his 2009 incident with Rihanna, expressing remorse in his 2017 documentary, “Welcome to My Life.” He admitted, “I look back at that picture and I’m like, ‘That’s not me, bro, that’s not me.’ I hate it to this day. That’s going to haunt me forever.”
Currently, Chris Brown is on his 11:11 Tour, performing across North America.