Chris Brown Makes It Clear He Doesn’t Want to Face Usher in VERZUZ: ‘I Want No Smoke’

Robin Tunney Loves That “The Craft ”‘Celebrated Girls That Were the Weirdos,’ Says She’s Still ‘So Proud’ 30 Years Later (Exclusive)

Dua Lipa and Callum Turner get married — again — in Italy

See Photos From Chanel and Tribeca’s 2026 Through Her Lens Luncheon

Chris Brown is putting an end to one of R&B’s most talked-about hypothetical matchups, and he’s doing it with respect.

In a response that quickly made the rounds online, Brown addressed ongoing VERZUZ chatter comparing him to Usher, writing: “I want no smoke! Usher got that. I’m just happy to be apart of it.”

COMPLEX SHOP: Shop the brands you love, anytime and anywhere. Uncover what’s next. Buy. Collect. Obsess.

The comment, which Brown made on TikTok in response to a discussion about the hypothetical matchup, sees the singer taking a step back from competition talk and instead acknowledging Usher’s legacy. For years, fans have debated how a VERZUZ between the two would play out, often framing it as a clash between generations of R&B greatness.

But Brown’s stance makes it clear he’s not interested in making that conversation a reality.

That tone aligns with what Brown has said in the past. While he previously admitted a VERZUZ matchup with Usher “makes sense,” he’s consistently emphasized that any comparison would come from admiration, not ego, calling Usher a pioneer in the genre.

Instead of competing, the two singers are now working side by side. Brown and Usher recently announced a joint tour, R&B: Raymond & Brown, teasing a stadium-level run that brings their catalogs together rather than pitting them against each other.

They’ve also collaborated musically, including linking up on a remix of “It Depends,” and shared the stage at major events like Lovers & Friends, helping put any past rumors of tension to rest.