Chris Brown is pushing back after Texas state Rep. Venton Jones apologized for helping honor the singer during The R&B Tour in Dallas.
Brown responded Tuesday on Instagram after Jones addressed criticism surrounding a Sept. 12 ceremony at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, where Jones and U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett joined Brown and Usher onstage.
Crockett presented the singers with recognition documenting their musical contributions in the Congressional Record, while Jones presented Brown with a separate Texas legislative recognition.
The ceremony quickly became controversial because of Brown’s history of legal issues, including his 2009 guilty plea to felony assault involving Rihanna. Brown also pleaded guilty this year to affray related to a 2023 nightclub incident in London.
Jones addressed the backlash Tuesday during an appearance on Don Lemon’s show, saying the recognition was not intended to “stoke the traumas” associated with domestic violence.
“I want to offer an apology,” Jones said, specifically addressing “Black women, women and anyone who has experienced domestic violence.”
Jones later expanded on his apology in a written statement, acknowledging that his actions had hurt women, including Black women.
“First and foremost, I want to acknowledge the women, the Black women, whom my actions have hurt,” he wrote. “I apologize.”
He also said that his work and personal experience did not remove his responsibility.
“My work and experience do not absolve me of accountability,” Jones wrote.
Jones said he and Crockett participated in the ceremony partly as a way to encourage voter engagement ahead of the November midterm elections.
Brown, however, made clear that he did not view himself as responsible for the decision to honor him.
“Funny thing is, y’all came to me with this! Not the other way around,” Brown wrote on Instagram. “I was minding my damn business. My shows in Dallas were already sold out.”
The singer went further, saying he never requested the recognition.
“I ain’t ask to be honored because I knew some sh-t like this would happen,” Brown wrote.
Brown then accused Jones of “tap dancing” and suggested the apology was motivated by concerns about losing “voters and support.”
He ended his response by directing attention back to his audience.
“How about yall leave me the f-ck alone and let me focus on the fans that spent their money to actually see and support me.”
Brown had previously thanked Crockett and Jones for the recognition before the ceremony drew subsequent criticism.
Crockett has not publicly responded to the backlash described in the supplied material.
For Brown, the message is clear: he says the Dallas recognition was not something he sought, and he wants the conversation back on the fans who showed up for his sold-out shows.
