After garnering one of the lowest ratings in recent memory, Chris Brown’s most recent album, BROWN, has generated a heated online controversy. On receiving the lowest ever rating, a user commented:
“This has to be personal.”
Chris Brown’s 12th studio album, BROWN, was released on May 8 by RCA Records. It is a 27-track album that reflects his ongoing tendency for high-volume releases in the streaming era.
In addition to contributions from Tank, Fridayy, Vybez Kartel, and YoungBoy Never Broke Again, the album features collaborations with Bryson Tiller, Lucky Daye, and GloRilla. The album’s slick, mainstream R&B sound is reinforced with production credits that include well-known names in the business, including Hitmaka, RoccStar, and Troy Taylor.
The project comes after Brown’s Grammy-winning album 11:11 earlier this year, which raised hopes for another excellent critical and commercial success. The album went on to receive a 1.3/10 for the album, with a one-sentence review:
“Chris Brown’s soulless, hit-chasing new album doesn’t justify his return to the public eye.”
The internet questions the fairness of the rating
Chris Brown has had consistent commercial success, which includes his tours that have generated tens of millions of dollars, and he also has a devoted fan following throughout the years.
The incredibly poor rating that he has received has been making the rounds on the internet, not only for its low rating but also for how drastically it differs from Brown’s track record as a commercially successful artist.
As the ratings went online, the internet reacted, with Team Breezy, in particular, arguing that the review felt disproportionately harsh. A user wrote, echoing a sentiment widely shared across platforms:
“This has to be personal.”
Another user questioned the intent behind the rating:
“The hate on him is so forced.”
A third user had a more detailed reaction, criticizing the credibility of the rating:
“Pitchfork really out here dropping a 1.3 like they’re the moral gatekeepers of music now. One lazy sentence to dismiss an entire album while acting like their opinion should bury the man. Chris Brown been dropping consistent heat for years, packing arenas, and moving units regardless of how hard certain corners try to cancel him. The score feels less about the music and more about punishing someone they still haven’t forgiven. Soulless? Nah. The real soulless move is pretending your little indie rag controls public taste when the numbers and the fans clearly disagree.”
A Team Breezy user added:
“A rating of 1.3 while the album is ranked No. 1. When will people understand that Chris makes music for himself and his fans?”
Another user dismissed the rating:
“I don’t even have to listen to the album to know this rating was given to hurt him.”
A fan who had already listened to the album had no complaints whatsoever:
“Was listening to it this morning, I have no complaints whatsoever.”
While another fan offered a strategy for Chris Brown:
“I think Chris Brown needs a long hiatus from music after this tour. Like you don’t need to out an album every year. He needs to deliver a very personal album after this, with no focus on hits. Just tell us about your life etc.”
Curiosity got the better of a user; they commented:
“Damn now I gotta go listen to it. I just refuse to believe Chris could ever release garbage with his consistent hit making track record.”
Another user brought up the topic of timing, especially in light of Brown’s next tour:
“That’s nasty work right before a tour.”
Tank defends Chris Brown and calls for respect
Amid the backlash, Tank stepped in to defend Chris Brown, shifting the focus from the rating to the tone of online criticism. Tank had a lot to say; he wrote:
“Artists do their best to do art that is personal to them in the best way possible for you to receive it. We appreciate the love and support but we can also understand constructive criticism. The problem is most of you offer destructive criticism. You disguise your hate for ‘opinion’.”
He went on to highlight the emotional investment behind music creation:
“Imagine doing your best and someone just walks up to you and says ‘i hate this s**t’. What’s your first response? You expect us, human beings, to just accept that and keep it moving!..lol While i respect his humility in this moment he doesn’t owe you that! Love it or hate have some f**kn respect! Have some sense of morality or just be a decent human being while having an opinion! That’s all we artists ask…”
Tank also complimented the project itself, describing it as one of Chris Brown’s best efforts in terms of sound, visuals, and entire release, implying that early reviews would not fully capture the album’s effect:
“In my opinion this is some of CB’s best work! From music, to visuals, to promo this man is nailing every moment like i’ve never seen. Someone asked ‘why do you go so hard for Chris’? I said because he goes hard for me.. Enjoy the #BROWN era!..”
Chris Brown acknowledges mixed reactions
Chris Brown, too, addressed the mixed reviews, taking a calmer tone. Despite the poor reviews, he thanked his fans and listeners through his Instagram stories:
“Just wanna say thank you to everyone who listened to this album. Been a lot of mixed reviews and I can take my audience’s criticism and opinions.”
Brown also pointed out how his earlier albums were criticized at first before becoming more well-liked over time, implying that BROWN could also follow that trajectory:
“The last 3 albums have came under the same scrutiny and it eventually grew on people. Thank you for even taking the time out to listen.”
The album’s release coincides with Chris Brown and Usher’s forthcoming co-headlining stadium tour, which is scheduled to start in Denver on June 26 and travel through big cities including Toronto, Las Vegas, and Atlanta before ending in Tampa.
Live performances might change opinions, and the concert could play a key role in shaping BROWN‘s legacy.
Stay tuned to Soap Central for more information.
Edited by Zachary D. Lyngdoh