Chris Brown: AMAs Address Michael Jackson Tribute Cancellation

Chris Brown is finally getting an answer from the American Music Awards. The R&B singer claimed that the award show pulled his Michael Jackson tribute to honor the pop icon’s 40th anniversary of Thriller from Sunday night’s (Nov. 20) show.

On Saturday (Nov. 19), Brown shared a video of himself dancing with backup dancers and rehearsing his 2019 song “Under the Influence.” The video since gone viral on TikTok. In the same video, the “Under the Influence” beat transitions into Jackson’s “Beat It.” The singer captioned the video, “U SERIOUS? [face palm emoji]” and clarified his caption to fans in the comments.

“WOULDVE been the ama performance but they cancelled me for reasons unknown. [shrug emoji],” he wrote.

In a statement to Entertainment Tonight, a spokesperson for Dick Clark Productions said that their creative direction had changed. He noted that it wasn’t Chris Brown’s fault.

“Live shows change all the time, it’s the nature of this business; unfortunately, this element of the AMAs didn’t come together as we couldn’t align on the performance, to no fault of Chris Brown,” the statement read.

On Monday (Nov. 21), Ciara jumped into the conversation when she shared a video of her in the same rehearsal space as the “Go Crazy” singer as they both did the choreography to “Thriller.” Fans were led to believe that she was also slated for the canceled tribute. The “Promise” singer also was seen dancing to Jackson’s “Billie Jean.”

“MJ thank you for the inspiration you’ve given us all! Thriller 40th Anniversary. @ChrisBrownOfficial you’re a rare breed of this generation. Always fun to rock with you [dance emoji],” the “Level Up” singer captioned the rehearsal footage.

A source told the publication clarified the singer’s involvement in the Michael Jackson tribute. “Ciara was confirmed to perform with Chris as part of the Michael Jackson tribute,” the source told ET. “No reason was given as to why it was pulled.”

10 of Chris Brown's Best Songs Ranked

• 10. “New Flame” ft. Usher and Rick Ross ‘X’ (2014)

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  Chris Brown taps in Usher and Rick Ross for "New Flame." The record is about the singer attempting to have a relationship with a girl that he met at the club. Brown debuted the song at the 2014 BET Awards on June 29, 2014. Chris was nominated for "Best R&B Performance" and "Best R&B Song" for the record at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards. The album 'X' was also nominated for "Best Urban Contemporary Album" the same year. The song is three times certified platinum by the RIAA.

• 9. “Kiss Kiss” ft. T-Pain ‘Exclusive’ (2007)

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  For "Kiss Kiss" Chris recruits T-Pain, who also had a hand in co-writing the song and producing it. The song debuted at the bottom of the Billboard Hot 100 (No. 100) and rose to No. 2 in the week ending November 3, 2007, and then to No. 1 the following week. The track was nominated for "Best Rap/Sung Collaboration" at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards. The song is currently four times certified platinum by the RIAA.

• 8. “With You” ‘Exclusive’ (2007)

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  In "With You" Chris finds himself overwhelmed by the feeling of love and expresses that he can't simply live without this girl in his life. Chris spoke about the song to MTV News: "When I heard the song for the first time, it touched me immediately. Therefore it was really easy for me to put my personal feelings and experiences inside it. I think that the secret of the track is that everyone can identify themselves with it no matter how old you are." The song is currently five times platinum certified platinum by the RIAA.
• 7. “Loyal” ft. Tyga and Lil Wayne ‘X’ (2014)

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  This song finds Chris being skeptical of letting "gold diggers" in his life and expresses that these women aren't loyal. The song has three remixes which all feature Lil Wayne but the East Coast version features French Montana and the West Coast version features Too Short. Tyga is featured on the video version which was the most promoted. Ty Dolla $ign originally wrote the song for a mutual friend of his and Chris Brown, Bobby Brackins, but Chris won the song after he recorded his own version of it. When Chris was locked up in 2014 for violating a judge's order, the guards constantly played this song: "[They were] playing it over the speakers when I was locked up,' he told MTV News. 'You know how they'd call you like, 'Brown you've got a visitor' - they would play the music and I thought: this is funny." The song is currently four times certified platinum by the RIAA.

• 6. “No Guidance” ft. Drake ‘Indigo’ (2019)

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  "No Guidance" is the first time Drake and Chris were included on a song together as non-featured artists. The record has both artists expressing how they want to hook up with this girl although she has expensive taste. The track later became the longest-running leader on the Billboard Hot 100 since it launched in April 1992, overtaking the 23 weeks at No. 1 achieved by Miguel's "Adorn." The song eventually reigned for 27 weeks. The track was nominated for "Best R&B Song" at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards. The song is currently eight times certified platinum by the RIAA.

• 5. “Go Crazy” Chris Brown and Young Thug ‘Slime & B’ (2020)

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  "Go Crazy" is the lead single from Chris Brown and Young Thug's compilation album 'Slime & B.' Chris broke his record as the longest-running leader on the Billboard Hot 100 when "Go Crazy" reigned for 28 weeks. "Go Crazy" won "Song of The Year" at the 2020 Soul Train Music Awards. Chris also picked up "Best Dance Performance" and "Best Collaboration Performance" at the award show. The remix features Future, Lil Durk, and Latto who all stay on the theme of the track rapping about "going crazy" in the bedroom. The song is currently three times certified platinum by the RIAA.
• 4. “Yeah 3x” ‘F.A.M.E’ (2011)

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  "Yeah 3x" is the lead single from Chris' fourth studio album 'F.A.M.E.' The album title stands for "Forgiving All My Enemies." Chris won his first and only Grammy award with 'F.A.M.E.' Justin Franks, who produced the song and spoke to Planet about how Chris came up with the concept: "I was working late one night in the studio when I got a call from my manager. Chris was working in the studio down the street and wanted to me to come down and listen to some tracks. I walked in, met Chris for the first time, and played him 1 track. He sat there for 4 minutes listening, then said, 'Ok, I'm ready.' He jumped in the booth and wrote the whole thing on the spot." He added that he wrote the lyrics to this song in 15 minutes. "Yeah 3x" is currently three times certified platinum by the RIAA.

• 3.”Run It” ft. Juelz Santana, ‘Chris Brown’ (2006)

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  "Run It" marks Chris' debut in the music industry. Chris taps in Juelz Santana on the song. The song is featured on Chris' self-titled debut. The video is set at a club, (which at the time Chris was 16 so presumably an underage club) where he shows off his impressive dance moves in order to woo a girl he's interested in. Juelz Santana raps at the beginning of the track. The song is currently three times certified platinum.

• 2. “Say Goodbye”, ‘Chris Brown’ (2006)

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  "Say Goodbye" is a song of heartbreak as Chris decides to split up with his current love interest but expresses how hard it is to let go. The track became Brown's third top-ten single on the Billboard Hot 100 following "Run It" and "Yo (Excuse Me Miss)". The song is also featured in the film 'Step Up' starring now exes Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan. The song is currently two times certified platinum by the RIAA.
• 1. “Yo (Excuse Me Miss)”, ‘Chris Brown’ (2006)

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  "Yo (Excuse Me Miss)" is Chris' second single off of his debut self-titled album. Like in "Run It," Chris also offers his dance moves to get the attention of a woman he's interested in. This is one of Chris' most notable songs that embarked him on his path to his successful career in music. The track was produced by Dre (André Meritt) & Vidal, and it became Brown's second top ten single peaking at number seven on the US Billboard Hot 100. Dre also provides background vocals in the chorus. For the 49th Annual Grammy Awards, Chris was nominated for "Best New Artist" and "Best Contemporary R&B Album" for his debut album. The song is currently two times certified platinum by the RIAA.