LEFT: Lionel Richie, (Disney/Eric McCandless) LIONEL RICHIE (Photo by Eric McCandless/Disney via Getty Images) RIGHT: Usher and Chris Brown, (Photo by Mark Davis/WireImage)
On Tuesday (August 11), Lionel Richie aired out his thoughts about Chris Brown and Usher being on the ‘R&B Tour.’ He seemed to take jabs at the performers. After Lionel’s comments went viral, Breezy stepped in with a subtle clap back.
According to Sunny 104.3, Lionel Richie took the stage in Phoenix, Arizona, on Tuesday. The show was part of his tour with ‘Earth, Wind & Fire.’ Between songs, he appeared to compare Usher and Chris Brown to his former funk and soul group, The Commodores, and claimed nothing the performers were doing was new.
“And Usher and Chris Brown…See, they try to do something new. The Commodores with Earth, Wind Fire, we were doing that back 40 years ago! Only difference is, between then and now, we didn’t go to jail!”
After a lil’ chuckle, Lionel Richie apologized and said, “We’re fine Christian men, we’re fine Christian men.”He added that performers from his prime didn’t have Instagram or TikTok where folks “go out tell a lie and then go post it.”Also, he said, “What the hell is that,” before the viral clip cuts off.
It’s unclear what prompted these comments from Lionel Richie. Additionally, he didn’t clarify what he meantwhen he said his former group and others have done what Breezy and Usher have. The duo has been going viral for their spicy performances featuring female attendees in different cities. None of said performances have ended in an arrest. However, Breezy is currently wrapped up in two court cases a settlement with his former housekeeper and a pending sentence for an assault case in London. It’s unclear whether Lionel was referencing Breezy former legal issues and arrests, including for the assault of Rihanna in 2009.
The clip, seemingly first shared by Sunny 104.3 on Instagram, made its internet rounds, drawing a response from Breezy. He slid into the comment section to react to Lionel Richie.
“[4 laughing emojis] damn unk. We love ya paw paw,” Chris Brown wrote.
It doesn’t appear that Brown gave any further reaction. Usher also seemingly has not reacted to what Lionel had to say.
Fellow R&B singer, Tank,offered the performers some encouragement as a vet in the genre. Tank has also been featured in ‘The R&B Tour,’ and recently clocked shady comments Jacquees made about opting not to join the tour as a background singer.
“As an elder in this game i support, encourage, and uplift the next generation. Im there as a brother through their ups and their downs. @chrisbrown x @Usher are doing something that has NEVER been done before. Ill leave it at that..,” Tank said on X.
Lionel’s video has continued to pull in reactions on Sunny 104.3’s IG page and on X.
IG user @robjthoughts commented, “In no time, Chris Brown will be onstage looking just like this talking about he did something first. Watch. Time flies.”
@whoisnowellshaw said, “Yall aint never sing dance do choreo, have pyro tech and fly from section to section. ”
“He just canceled shows due to being dizzy. Now he is being shady ,” @purplerosebudseason commented.
@lightchocolate25 added, “One the biggest complaints is the elders dont uplift the generations that follow. It be our own tearing us down!”
“Unnecessary Lionel . You made your impact on the industry in a different way. No need to mention them unless you are jealous ,” @nenapooter said.
“Also, they didn’t go to jail back then for the crimes they committed against women! Tammy Terrell. Tina Turner. And countless other women, famous or not, didn’t get justice,” @onehighlyfavored1 commented.
@beautiful_queen.t wrote, “Ok now Lionel…let’s not throw bricks in glass houses.”
@arise_cooldaddy95 added, “I respect what he saying . Hes saying he dont approve whats in the show and we need to be true artist again we know whats going on . Its not hate its correction.”
Meanwhile, @blue_butterfly2000 said, “He was just joking lol. Lighten up in these comments. Its not that serious .”
