After last night’s (Jan. 21) successful Verzuz celebration between Ashanti and Keyshia Cole, many fans of the series began speculating about who might show up for the next battle. While fans tried to manifest their dream Verzuz mashups on Twitter, a familiar pairing returned to the timeline: Chris Brown and Usher.
The two Grammy-awarded crooners have long been the subject of fans’ hypothetical Verzuz battles, and it seems Thursday’s R&B feels reignited the flame.
“The only person that can do a Verzuz with Usher is Chris Brown & idc what nobody says lol,” one fan tweeted. “They’re the only ones who have enough hits to face off against each other.”
“I want Chris Brown vs Usher,” another wrote. “That is all.”
Fans have been comparing Chris and Usher’s hits for months, but they’re not the only ones who are hoping to see the two stars battle it out. Back in May, Busta Rhymes expressed interest in a potential face-off while speaking with Verzuz co-founder Swizz Beatz.
“I see a lot of Usher vs. Chris Brown. I see a lot of Usher vs. [Justin] Timberlake, but for the culture…” Swizz began.
“Listen, Usher and Chris Brown got to be it, man. That’s it,” Busta replied. “You asking my opinion. I’m giving it to you, big bro. I don’t want to see no Usher and Justin Timberlake; I want to see Usher and Chris Brown.”
However, Chris dashed those hopes in July, writing on his Instagram story, “Only vs ima do is CHRIS BROWN VS CHRIS BREEZY… not in competition with nobody but myself.”
There’s no love lost between the pair, though, so fans are still holding out hope that the battle could eventually happen. In 2017, Usher even said on Questlove’s podcast that he wished he had collaborated more often with Breezy early on.
“There’s one thing in my career that I definitely regret; one thing,” Usher said. “And to this day I battle with it, which is why I always show support of [Chris] whenever he asks.”
Are you still hoping for a Chris Brown and Usher Verzuz? See the ongoing debate from fans below.