Fat Joe has expressed his belief that Chris Brown would be on par with Michael Jackson if not for the domestic violence incident involving his ex-girlfriend Rihanna. In a recent Instagram Live stream, Fat Joe stated, “If Chris Brown never got into the controversy with Rihanna, we would be calling him Michael Jackson right now.” He emphasized Brown’s talent as a singer, artist, and performer, noting that there is nobody quite like him in the music industry.
Brown and Rihanna dated from 2007 to 2009, with their relationship ending after a physical altercation that resulted in Rihanna being hospitalized. Despite the incident, they briefly reconciled in 2013 before ultimately parting ways. Rihanna herself has spoken out in defense of Brown, asserting that he is not the monster that he is often made out to be.
During his Instagram Live stream, Fat Joe criticized the reluctance to acknowledge Brown’s talent and likened it to the support still shown for controversial figures like R. Kelly. He urged his audience to separate Brown’s music from his personal life, emphasizing the need to recognize his contributions to the music industry. Fat Joe asserted that Brown’s body of work speaks for itself and that he deserves to be recognized for his musical achievements.
Ultimately, Fat Joe’s comments sparked a conversation about the impact of personal controversies on an artist’s legacy and the importance of recognizing talent separate from personal behavior. Despite the shadows cast by past incidents, Fat Joe believes that Brown’s musical prowess should not be overshadowed, and he should be considered among the greats in the music industry.