Veteran producer Jermaine Dupri says he steers clear of working with Chris Brown to preserve his longstanding bond with Usher. Dupri spoke candidly on the Joe Budden Podcast this week.
Dupri acknowledged his admiration for Brown’s artistry. “I fuck with Chris Brown,” he told Budden, “but I wrote half of the Usher songs. Y’all want me to go against myself? Like, I’m not doing that.”
He added a striking metaphor. “If I go in the studio with Chris Brown, I might fuck around and make ‘Thriller’ and Usher would hate me for the rest of my life.”
Dupri clearly wants to avoid placing himself in a position that might threaten his legacy with Usher.
Backing Usher in Verzuz
When the conversation shifted to a potential Verzuz showdown between Usher and Chris Brown, Dupri made his stance clear. “These my songs. I wrote these songs, I’m going for my songs,” he said. “I’m never going to go against myself.”
Still, he voiced enthusiasm for a competitive matchup. “I want Usher to stay Usher. I want Chris Brown to stay Chris Brown. Let’s fight it out.”
Dupri’s comments reflect his commitment to authenticity—both for himself and the artists he has shaped.
Dupri’s relationship with Usher spans nearly three decades. He has co-written and co-produced many of Usher’s most enduring hits, including “My Way,” “Nice & Slow,” and multiple tracks from the landmark album Confessions.
That bond gives weight to his loyalty. A collaboration with Brown, however exciting, could appear to undercut that foundation.
Even though Dupri values Brown’s talent, the potential fallout with Usher was too large a risk. “It’s dangerous at this point,” he admitted.