Chris Brown and Usher Face Backlash Over New Joint Tour Amid Controversy

Reaction to Chris Brown and Usher's newly announced joint tour has been swift and, despite both parties retaining solid big fanbases, largely negative.

Several social media users have voiced sharp criticism over the artists' past associations and controversies in light of the tour news. On platforms such as Threads and Instagram, several users said the singers’ decision to tour together raised questions about accountability in the music industry. They pointed in particular to Brown's long history of legal issues and allegations, as well as Usher's recent comments about Sean “Diddy” Combs.

Newsweek reached out to Brown and Usher’s legal representatives for more comment via email.

What Are People Are Saying?

One Threads user, posting under the handle @feministajones, implied that the tour announcement was disappointing but not surprising, referring to Brown's past behavior and Usher's public defense of Diddy.

“The two of them are now going on tour together,” the user wrote, adding that the tour would “likely sell out,” despite calls for boycotts.

Other commenters echoed the sentiment, with one writing, “I want better for us,” while another said, “Can't we all just boycott them all?” A third added: “They aren't celebrities unless someone is keeping them famous.”

Over on Instagram, a post about the upcoming tour by @jerrynews received a flurry of negative comments.

“Problematic: the Tour,” one viewer said.

“Ah yes, the Hide Your Kids/Hide Your Wives tour,” another added.

“How is Chris brown still a thing?!?!” a third viewer asked.

“Will never understand how Chris Brown was never cancelled,” another commented.

When Is the Tour?

The backlash followed the official announcement this week that Brown and Usher will co-headline The R&B Tour, a 33-date stadium run across North America in 2026.

The tour, produced by Live Nation, will kick off on Friday, June 26, at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, and will make stops in major cities including Detroit, Chicago, Toronto, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Houston and Miami. It is set to conclude on Friday, December 11, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.

Much of the criticism, however, centers on Brown's past. In 2009, he was charged with felony assault and making criminal threats after an argument with then-girlfriend Rihanna escalated into physical violence, leaving her with visible facial injuries. Brown pleaded guilty later that year and accepted a plea deal that included community labor, probation and domestic violence counseling.

Since then, Brown has faced multiple legal issues and accusations. In 2013, he was arrested in Washington, D.C., following a physical altercation outside a hotel; the charges were later reduced to misdemeanors. He has also spoken about being diagnosed with bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder while in rehab, though his treatment was cut short after he violated facility rules and was jailed for probation violations in 2014.

In 2017, a judge granted Brown's ex-girlfriend Karrueche Tran a five-year restraining order after she alleged he sent her violent threats and physically abused her during their relationship. More recently, Brown has faced lawsuits alleging sexual assault and physical violence. A $20 million civil suit filed in 2022 was ultimately dismissed, while a separate 2023 lawsuit filed by Abe Diaw in London, England, claimed the producer ended up in hospital as a result of Brown’s attack.

Usher, while not facing similar legal allegations, has drawn criticism for comments in which he said he had nothing “negative” to say about Diddy, currently jailed for transportation for prostitution, while praising the producer's “valuable contributions.” This is a stance some fans say is out of step with growing calls for accountability in the music industry.

Despite the criticism, the tour is expected to attract significant attention and ticket sales, highlighting the ongoing tension between commercial success and public scrutiny surrounding high-profile artists.

Newsweek's reporters and editors used Martyn, our Al assistant, to help produce this story. Learn more about Martyn.

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This story was originally published April 15, 2026 at 7:37 AM.