Chris Brown announced his 20th anniversary tour on March 27, celebrating two decades since his self-titled debut album launched him into stardom at just 16, per newsweek.com.
The North America and Europe trek, featuring Summer Walker and Bryson Tiller, has fans and critics clashing online, reigniting debates over the R&B star’s controversial past. With his X post racking up over 4.5 million views, the divide is stark: some are thrilled, others appalled.
Brown’s career has been a rollercoaster of hits and headlines. His 2009 guilty plea for assaulting then-girlfriend Rihanna remains a lightning rod—five years of probation and a candid 2017 documentary confession about punching her with a “closed fist” still haunt his legacy. Add to that a 2014 jail stint for probation violation and multiple assault allegations (though no convictions for sexual violence), and the “cancel culture” conversation explodes. “I’ll never get my head round Chris Brown still having a super successful career,” one X user fumed. “If what he did happened today, he’d be gone. Rightly so.”
Yet, the tour announcement has diehards buzzing. “Where do I buy tickets? This is great!” one fan posted, while another reserved a seat in spirit. Defenders argue the backlash is selective outrage, pointing to four straight years of sold-out tours. “Somebody’s lying about hating him,” a supporter quipped. Others see a double standard: “Seeing how my generation treats Chris Brown makes me realise how R. Kelly got away with it so long,” one commenter noted—though pushback was swift, with a user retorting, “You’re comparing a child predator to a guy who fought his girlfriend at 19.”
The tour, kicking off in June, promises to keep the discourse simmering. Critics aren’t mincing words: “Absolutely embarrassing in 2025 that a convicted domestic abuser can still sell out stadiums,” one wrote. Another jabbed, “You beat Rihanna—GO AWAY!”
•Featured image: Chris Brown performing during the Lovers & Friends Music Festival at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds on May 6, 2023/Candice Ward/Getty Images
