Chloë Bailey has come under fire for collaborating on a new song with Chris Brown, with the song even sparked a scathing op-ed.
The R&B pair will release their new song “How Does It Feel” on February 24 as the latest single from Chloë Bailey’s highly anticipated debut solo album In Pieces, which arrives in March.
The song was announced on Chloë’s social media channels on Thursday (February 16), with the cover art showing her getting up close and personal with Breezy while they sport matching black outfits.
“2ND PIECE. HOW DOES IT FEEL @chrisbrownofficial. 2/24,” she wrote in the caption of her Instagram post along with an anatomical heart emoji.
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While the collaboration was met with excitement from some fans, many took issue with the Bailey sister’s decision to link up with Chris Brown given his history of violence against women.
“We’re failing Black women in music if they feel like they have to collaborate with a known abuser in order to chart,” one person tweeted before listing off numerous other male R&B singers she could have worked with, including Bryson Tiller, Lucky Daye and Brent Faiyaz.
“We will absolutely not be streaming,” wrote another person. “Catch you next time though.”
We're failing Black women in music if they feel like they have to collaborate with a known abuser in order to chart.
— Ernest Owens (@MrErnestOwens) February 16, 2023
Before y'all start, Chloe had options.
PLENTY to choose from other than Chris Brown.
Here we go:
Luke James
Bryson Tiller
Lucky Daye
Khalid
Giveon
Berwyn
Samm Henshaw
Venna
Tay Iwar
Jvck James
Reggie Becton
Brent Faiyaz
PJ Morton
Leon BridgesThis was a choice. A CHOICE.
— Ernest Owens (@MrErnestOwens) February 16, 2023
https://twitter.com/Sneaselicious/status/1626266400145780736?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1626266400145780736%7Ctwgr%5E40ed5e0954b569e440c57f403e9b27ddef554f7d%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fhiphopdx.com%2Fnews%2Fchloe-bailey-chris-brown-song-backlash-how-does-it-feel
https://twitter.com/alsoabouteve/status/1626285290741547008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1626285290741547008%7Ctwgr%5E40ed5e0954b569e440c57f403e9b27ddef554f7d%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fhiphopdx.com%2Fnews%2Fchloe-bailey-chris-brown-song-backlash-how-does-it-feel
https://twitter.com/charliecherrim/status/1626268167969574912?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1626268167969574912%7Ctwgr%5E40ed5e0954b569e440c57f403e9b27ddef554f7d%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fhiphopdx.com%2Fnews%2Fchloe-bailey-chris-brown-song-backlash-how-does-it-feel
However, Chris Brown fans were quick to defend the singer from the backlash.
“Chris Brown is the GOAT everyone that’s crying your tears taste amazing. Move on!” wrote one fan. Another added: “Everyone hating on Chris is so exhausting, like bruh, sis, go be negative elsewhere.”
Fellow R&B star H.E.R., City Girls member JT and Bebe Rexha were among the big names who expressed their excitement for the song in Chloë’s Instagram comments section.
“WORRRRRRKKKKK,” H.E.R. wrote along with a fire emoji, while JT applauded the collaboration with an enthusiastic: “Come on!!!”
https://twitter.com/Underrated_Dom/status/1626311127704514560?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1626311127704514560%7Ctwgr%5E40ed5e0954b569e440c57f403e9b27ddef554f7d%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fhiphopdx.com%2Fnews%2Fchloe-bailey-chris-brown-song-backlash-how-does-it-feel
Everyone hating on Chris is so exhausting, like bruh, sis, go be negative elsewhere
— Aston Sebastian (@bl4kd0ntkr4k) February 16, 2023
The Root additionally published a scathing op-ed on Thursday that brought attention to the slew of violent allegations that have trailed Chris Brown throughout his career.
They also pointed out his “sore loser” attitude after losing out to Robert Glasper in the Best R&B Album category at the 2023 Grammy Awards earlier this month. Breezy took to social media shortly after the show and asked: “who the fuck is Robert Glasper?”
“Not only is Chris Brown a sore loser, but he’s also had an ongoing struggle to produce positivity in his personal life,” the article read. “Brown has been the center of way too many alleged violent actions against men and women throughout his career, including the infamous domestic violence incident with Rihanna in 2009, a brawl in a New York nightclub with Drake in 2012, and an alleged altercation with Frank Ocean in 2013.”
It continued: “In 2017, a restraining order was filed against him by his ex-girlfriend Karrueche Tran for allegedly punching her and pushing her down the stairs. He has been arrested several times for allegedly threatening or beating women.
“Chloë Bailey’s solo music has been much about female empowerment and taking back one’s agency. Wouldn’t this collaboration negate those messages?”
“How Does It Feel” will follow Chloë’s previous single “Pray It Away”, which dropped in January.
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