Akon thinks Chris Brown could be this generation’s Michael Jackson, but claims his gang ties have prevented him from doing so.
On Monday (November 14), the “Soul Survivor” singer appeared on the latest episode of Shannon Sharpe’s. Shay Shay Club podcast, and the topic of MJ came up. Akon noted that the only entertainer who even came close to his legacy would be Breezy – if it weren’t for the people he surrounded himself with.
“In this day and age, the only person, in my opinion, who could have received such a large inheritance [Michael Jackson], for me, it would be Chris Brown,” Akon told the NFL Hall of Fame. “I just believe that Chris Brown wasn’t surrounded by the circle of creative people that Mike was surrounded by. Because Chris got talent, he just needed direction.
He continued to elaborate, noting that the “gangbangers” in Brown’s circle could not exploit his talent as Mike’s team did with him. “Imagine if Chris had Mike’s team? Imagine that,” he continued. “It would be something different. But Chris, he had Bloods around him, he had small thugs around him. He has no guidance. It’s smart, but it’s smart according to what the ‘smart’ people of this generation are interested in.”
Akon believes Chris Brown could be the next Michael Jackson but explains why it didn’t happen pic.twitter.com/vrtRbadHkK
— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) November 17, 2022
Chris Brown has been compared to Michael Jackson for years, and has cited the legendary singer as one of his biggest influences. Fivio Foreign, 50 Cent and even Justin Bieber are among the celebrities who have called CB the Michael of his time (or “the best,” in 50’s case) but the “Under The Influence” singer feels he’s still “light” behind his idol. .
“My personal view is that I wouldn’t be able to breathe or even sing a song if that person wasn’t there,” Brown said of the comparison during an interview. Big Boy’s Neighbor earlier this year. “I don’t know if they’re looking at it like the Jordan-Kobe thing, but I couldn’t even look at it. He’s light years ahead. There’s no competing with him.”
Regarding his alleged association with the group, rumors have long persisted that Chris Brown is associated with the Bloods [since-deleted] videos flying Fruit Town Piru gang signs and using words like “bracking” in his posts. However, he has never claimed an affiliation, and previously denied involvement when asked directly during the meeting MTV News interview with Sway Calloway.
“When you’re in LA and you’re around people, you meet everybody — you meet Crips, you meet Bloods, especially in this industry that I’m in,” CB said in a 2014 interview. “I’m not in the Country world. I’m not in the Pop world of every way. You in Hip Hop and R&B and all of that comes together, especially when you’re in these events or these places where everybody can be. I’m generous.”
Akon & Michael Jackson Were Planning To Open Music Schools In Africa
Elsewhere in his conversation with Shannon Sharpe, Akon expressed regret for giving Jeezy “Soul Survivor,” saying it could have been his own record.
“The one record that I put out that I felt. ‘Man. I should have put it out’ was ‘Soul Survivor,'” he said. “I put it out and I was like, ‘Man, I have to put this record out, God!'”
2005 single from Jeezy’s Let’s Get It: Thug Motivation 101 the album peaked at number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and would go on to become one of The Snowman’s biggest hits.
