Posted by Apple Music recently joined forces with Swizz Beatz and Timbaland’s Verzuz series, making it easier for participants to catch the latest Instagram battle. Following Snoop Dogg and DMX’s head-to-head on July 22, Hip Hop and R&B fans started to toss around ideas for potential contenders — and a showdown between Chris Brown and Usher topped the list.
But according to a pair of posts Brown shared to his Instagram Stories on Sunday (July 26), the “Run It!” singer thinks that matchup would be unfair — to Usher.
“I could do a vs off features alone…” he wrote. “So I’ll humbly decline…I’m busy doing nothing.” Brown added, “What we not gone do is CAP.”
View this post on Instagram#ChrisBrown ain't tryna battle #Usher ? #Verzuz
Usher’s storied career kicked off in 1994 with his self-titled debut. He’s released seven solo studio albums since then, including 2016’s Hard II Love. His second album, 1997’s My Way, included the Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 single “Nice & Slow” and “You Make Me Wanna…” and “My Way,” which both landed at No. 2.
His third album 8701 was released in 2001 and spawned two more No. 1 singles — “U Remind Me” and “U Got It Bad.” “U Don’t Have to Call” from the same album landed in the top three and sold eight million copies worldwide. It also led to Usher’s first two Grammy Awards in the Best Male R&B Vocal Performance category in 2002 and 2003.
But it was 2004’s Confessions that established the Dallas-born singer as one of the best-selling R&B artists of the 2000s, selling over 20 million copies worldwide. The album produced four consecutive Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 singles—”Yeah!,” “Burn,” “Confessions Part II” and “My Boo.”
Brown, on the other hand, began releasing albums in 2005. His inaugural single “Run It!” peaked at No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100, making him the first male artist since 1997 to do so. His sophomore effort, 2007’s Exclusive, boasted his second Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 “Kiss Kiss.” He’s collaborated with a slew of artists over the years, including Jordin Sparks on the song “No Air” and Bow Wow on “Shortie Like Mine.”
Like Usher, Brown’s career hasn’t been a walk in the park. In 2009, Brown pleaded guilty to felony of assault of his then-girlfriend Rihanna and his name has been in the headlines numerous times for his alleged substance abuse and violence toward women.
Usher & Jermaine Dupri Aren’t Hiding Their “Confessions II” Master Plan
Meanwhile, Usher was accused of giving multiple women a sexually transmitted disease in 2017. While his wife Grace Miguel initially stood behind him during the scandal, the couple ultimately announced their split in 2018 after three years of marriage.
“After much thought and consideration we have mutually decided to separate as a couple,” a statement read in part. “We remain deeply connected, loving friends who will continue supporting each other through the next phases of our lives.” Usher filed for divorce in December 2018.