Chris Brown Rejects Texas Honour After Lawmaker Apologises Over Recognition

Chris Brown has rejected a legislative honour he received in Texas after the politician who presented it apologised amid the backlash surrounding the recognition.

Texas State Representative Venton Jones presented Brown with a state legislative recognition during the singer’s September 12 concert with Usher at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.

The presentation drew criticism because of Brown’s history of legal issues involving violence against women. Jones later addressed the controversy, apologising to Black women, women and people who have experienced domestic violence.

Brown responded by telling Jones to “keep that award” and later made clear that he did not want to be associated with the recognition.

In an Instagram post, the singer said the honour had not been something he requested.

“Y’all came to me with this! Not the other way around,” Brown wrote, adding that his Dallas shows had already been sold out.

He also criticised Jones for apologising after the backlash and said he wanted to be left alone to concentrate on the fans who had bought tickets to support him.

The episode follows the separate recognition Brown and Usher received from US Representative Jasmine Crockett during the same Arlington concert, when their musical contributions were entered into the Congressional Record.

Brown had initially expressed gratitude for the honours before the controversy surrounding the event intensified.