Chris Brown Responds to Critics with Expletive-Laden Video
Chris Brown is not taking kindly to the less-than-glowing reviews of his latest album, Brown. On Wednesday, the two-time Grammy winner responded to his critics with an expletive-filled video shared to his Instagram Stories, in which he also took a swipe at Swedish pop artist Zara Larsson.
"I know people want me to get on here and, you know, say some sad shit, but fuck that," he said in the clip. "We kickin' they ass, goddamn it!" After alluding to his upcoming co-headlining tour with Usher, he added, "I know exactly who my fans is and I know exactly who hearing this album. If you not my fan, I don't want you to listen to my shit. Go listen to motherfucking Zara Larsson or somebody."
Pitchfork's Harsh Review
Brown did not single out any specific review in his rant. However, Pitchfork deemed his album "a real piece of shit" on Tuesday in a viral post on X. The music outlet's full review, written by Alphonse Pierre, was not much kinder. "Chris Brown's soulless, hit-chasing new album doesn't justify his return to the public eye," Pierre wrote, adding that the music "isn't romantic or funny or sexy or sultry or dancey or soulful or vulnerable or honest or creative or inspired whatsoever."
Brown's Controversial Past
Brown has been a polarizing figure in the music industry for some time, due in large part to his criminal record and subsequent legal troubles. In 2009, he was convicted of assaulting his former girlfriend, Rihanna. Last year, he was arrested and taken into custody in Manchester, England, for an alleged physical attack on producer Abe Diaw that took place at a London nightclub in 2023. His trial in that case is due to begin in October.
Larsson has been enjoying a breakout year following the global success of her 2025 album, Midnight Sun. The singer referenced Brown's past in February when Cosmopolitan asked which musicians she'd never include in one of her personal playlists. "There's so many artists I have blocked on Spotify, and all of them are, like, abusers," she told the outlet. "You certainly wouldn't find a Chris Brown song."
Career Resilience
Brown's rap sheet, however, has seemingly had little impact on his music career as a whole. Brown is expected to debut at No. 5 on the Billboard 200, which ranks the 200 most popular albums in the country, next week. He continues to enjoy the support of many fellow musicians, as evidenced by his tour with Usher. In 2021, singer Lizzo drew backlash after she deemed Brown her "favorite person in the whole fucking world" in a backstage video.
