Chris Brown has responded defiantly to criticism in an Instagram Stories statement, attacking the music industry, celebrities and what he described as “fake love”. He declared himself “the best” and “the king”, rejected others’ approval and said he would accept being viewed as “the villain”.

The comments followed controversy over legislative honours presented to Brown and Usher during their R&B Tour stop in Texas. State Representative Venton Jones later apologised for recognising Brown, citing the singer’s history of domestic violence; Brown criticised the reversal. Brown pleaded guilty in 2009 to assaulting Rihanna and received probation, community service and counselling, while a 2021 domestic-dispute investigation ended without charges. Despite the controversy, he has recorded 125 Billboard Hot 100 entries, including two number ones, and 13 Billboard 200 top-10 albums.