After innovative and multi-talented Robert Glasper won the Grammy for best R&B album Feb. 5 for Black Radio III, fellow nominee Chris Brown took to Instagram to, well, be a sore loser.
“BRO WHO THE F–K IS THIS?” the Breezy creator, 33, captioned a screenshot of his Google search of Glasper, which describes the 44-year-old Houston native as “an American pianist, record producer, songwriter and musical arranger with a career that bridges several different musical and artistic genres.”
Atop Glasper’s accolades — which include four previous Grammy wins — Brown once again asked, “YALL PLAYING 😂😂😂😂😂 WHO DA F–K IS THIS?” before adding, “Ima keep kicking y’all ass! Respectfully.”
The “Run It!” hitmaker begged the question a third time, sharing a meme that read, “WH😂 THE F*CK IS ROBERT GLASPER,” before telling his followers he’s “gotta get my skills up” and “start playing the harmonica.”
The next slide featured a photo of Brown doing just that. “NEW LEVEL UNLOCKED!” he wrote across the image. “HARMONICA BREEZY.”
Social media users quickly blasted the singer for his online antics, with many tweeting things like, “Get that domestic abuser off my screen,” “Why he even gets nominations is BEYOND ME” and “A classically trained pianist and artist with a spotless reputation beats someone who should have never been nominated — awww, so sad 🥺.”
Brown has a history of problematic behavior toward romantic partners. He famously pleaded guilty to felony assault after brutally attacking former girlfriend Rihanna in 2009. Eight years later, another ex, Karrueche Tran, was granted a five-year restraining order against him.
In addition to Brown, Glasper also beat out Mary J. Blige, who was nominated for Good Morning Gorgeous (Deluxe), Lucky Daye, nominated for Candydrip, and PJ Morton, nominated for Watch the Sun.
Black Radio III was also up for best engineered album, but the golden gramophone went to Harry Styles’ Harry’s House.
Of the 20 Grammy Awards for which Brown has been nominated, he’s taken home only one — in 2012 for his R&B album F.A.M.E.
Meanwhile, Glasper has been nominated 11 times across eight categories. He’s also written for, produced and performed on albums by Mac Miller, Anderson Paak, Banks, Kendrick Lamar, Common and more.
On the day following the Grammys, Brown let the world know he reached out to Glasper to apologize.
Returning to the scene of the crime — Instagram — Brown posted a screenshot of a direct message he later sent to Glasper, explaining himself.
“Congratulations my brother.. I would like to apologize if you took offense to my reaction at the Grammys,” Brown wrote, acknowledging that he “came off really rude and mean.” He added, “After doing my research I actually think your [sic] amazing.”
The singer then re-directed his anger toward the Recording Academy, saying that Glasper was “not the Intended target.”
“THE ORGANIZATION ISNT DOING US BLACKS OUR DUE DILIGENCE. YOU AND I SHOULD never be in the same categor[y] … two totally different vibes and genres,” he penned.
Brown concluded his note, “So from one Black man to another.. CONGRATULATIONS. HOPE YOU ARE ABLE TO FEED YOUR FAMILY FOR LIFE. God bless my G.”
