Lionel Richie Takes a Dig at Chris Brown and Usher’s R&B Tour and Says the Commodores ‘Didn’t Go to Jail’
Brown responded to Richie’s onstage rant about the R&B Tour in an Instagram comment, referring to the “Three Times a Lady” singer as “paw paw”
Lionel Richie isn’t holding back his thoughts.
The “Three Times a Lady” singer, 77, performed a show with Earth, Wind & Fire at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Tuesday, Aug. 11 and took a dig at Chris Brown and Usher’s ongoing R&B Tour while talking to the crowd.
“Usher and Chris Brown, see they trying to do something new,” said Richie, according to videos of the moment. “The Commodores with Earth, Wind & Fire, we were doing that back 40 years ago. Only difference is between then and now… we didn’t go to jail.”
Brown has a history of legal troubles. In May 2014, he spent 131 days in Los Angeles County Jail for violating the terms of his probation, which stemmed from his 2009 felony conviction for assaulting his then-girlfriend Rihanna. He’s since faced several other assault allegations.
Usher has never been to jail.
Immediately after Richie’s “jail” comment, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member apologized to the crowd and added of Brown and Usher, “They’re fine Christian men.”
He added on stage, “See, we didn’t have that Instagram, and that TikTok and that ‘go out and tell a lie and then go post it.’ What the hell was that?”
Brown responded to Richie’s comments with a comment on Instagram. After a few crying-laughing emojis, he wrote, “damn unk. We love ya paw paw.”
Chris Brown and Usher
Credit: Julian Buchan
In an Instagram post last month, Usher explained the ethos behind the R&B Tour. “This isn’t just the story of R&B. It’s our story,” he said. “The blues comes from what we’ve lived. The rhythm is what keeps us connected, generation after generation.”
The R&B Tour launched in June and continues with North American stadium dates through December.
Richie’s tour with Earth, Wind & Fire continues with North American arena dates through October. The “Hello” singer will then perform a string of residency shows at the Wynn Las Vegas through November.
