"Stephen was too stunned to speak" — Internet reacts to Tank saying Chris Brown is better singer, writer, producer and dancer than Michael Jackson

Popular singer and songwriter Tank seemed to have sparked a debate after his recent statement about Chris Brown and Michael Jackson on The Stephen A. Smith Show. The episode that had released on August 16, showed the singer comparing the artist with Michael Jackson. On the show, Tank said,

“Chris Brown is in fact better than Michael Jackson.”

Smith was visible taken aback by this comment. He said the Look at Me Now singer is certainly the greatest entertainer on the planet. However, he asked Tank how the singer could be better than the 13-time Grammy Award winner.

“Things evolve, my brother. Things evolve. There was…if we are equating it to sports as we love to do, if there was Magic Johnson, now there is LeBron James. That is the ultimate evolution of a man who can play all five positions and and and fill up that stat sheet honestly, organically, right”, replied Tank.

He also continued,

“And now as we talk about Chris Brown, we’re talking about the evolution of Michael Jackson, the evolution of Usher, the evolution of me, the evolution of Ginuwine, that is what this kid is. A singer, songwriter, producer, performer who orchestrates it all, from video to stage, to songs, to..to fashion. He’s the evolution.”

After a clip from the episode went viral on X, netizens started pouring in their reactions. Fans seemed to be divided on the whole idea of comparison. While some agreed with Tank, others did not. Here’s what the internet had to say,

“Stephen was too stunned to speak bro started stuttering”, one netizen commented.

“Tank just wants attention”, another user commented.

Some social media fans agreed with Chris Brown’s potential as an artist and said that the singer indeed lived up to the mark.

“I would have to agree. There was James Brown, then Michael Jackson, then Usher, and then Chris Brown. Chris Brown literally can do everything the artists who came before him and he can do even more. Chris can sing, dance, write, produce, draw, flip, rap, and act all at the highest levels possible”, a person wrote.

“Aye…. I ain’t saying he right but he ain’t wrong”, replied another netizen.

“Mike moonwalked so chris could run PLEASE its a reason Chris idolizes HIM”, a comment read.

Others appeared to be irked by the statement. They seemed to criticize Tank as well as Brown.

“He must be talking about Michael Jackson, his neighborhood wino who sings and dances for change”, wrote one user.

“Chris Brown is not even a better singer, writer, producer or dancer than Usher. Tank is delusional and been singing the same song since 2005. Move”, replied another user.

---

Michael Jackson used to enjoy Chris Brown’s performances

This debate over the comparison between the two singers has been going on for a long time. After his performance at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards, Chris Brown was hailed as one of the big stars in the industry. Michael Jackson spoke highly of him at that time saying,

“Chris is a bright and shining star whom I enjoy watching perform. I am happy to have had a positive influence on him.”

The Say Goodbye singer has been a huge fan of Jackson. Back in 2022, he said that he wouldn’t be singing and breathing if Michael Jackson didn’t exist. So, he believed that comparison was unnecesary and impossible. He added that the King of Pop was light years ahead and there could not be any competition with him.