It’s been nearly 20 years since Britney Spears released her version of Bobby Brown’s 1988 hit “My Prerogative,” but the R&B legend is finally speaking out — and he’s not impressed. In a recent appearance on Shannon Sharpe’s Club Shay Shay podcast, Bobby Brown says Britney Spears “butchered” her cover of ‘My Prerogative’, telling Sharpe that her version didn’t live up to his expectations.
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According to PEOPLE, Brown revealed that while he did approve the sample for Spears to use, he expected to be blown away.
“But that was a butchering. I couldn’t take it.”
Bobby Brown Says Britney Spears Didn’t Do Justice to the Original ‘My Prerogative’
During the interview, Brown gave credit to Teddy Riley, who produced the original track and helped define its new jack swing edge. When asked how he felt about Britney’s 2004 version on her Greatest Hits: My Prerogative album, Brown didn’t hold back.
“I don’t think they really did justice to any of the samples they’ve done of my songs,” he told Sharpe.
Although Britney Spears has previously covered legends like The Rolling Stones and Joan Jett, Brown was hoping for a standout rendition — especially with a title track that holds iconic status in R&B history.
While Spears hasn’t responded to Brown’s criticism, her fans were quick to defend her online, with many saying they only discovered the song because of her version.
Fan Reactions After Bobby Brown Says Britney Spears “Butchered” Her Cover
Social media was quick to react to Brown’s harsh take. Britney stans flooded X (formerly Twitter) with support, saying the pop icon gave the song new life for a new generation.
Still, others agreed with Brown, saying Spears’ version stripped away the original’s soulful and rebellious edge that made it a classic in the first place.
Conclusion: Bobby Brown Says Britney Spears “Butchered” Her Cover of ‘My Prerogative’ — Fans Say Otherwise
Whether you ride with Bobby Brown’s original or Britney Spears’ 2004 rework, there’s no denying the cultural impact both versions had. While Bobby Brown says Britney Spears “butchered” her cover of ‘My Prerogative’, fans aren’t ready to let his critique go unchecked.
It’s a conversation that brings up the age-old question: when it comes to covers, is originality or loyalty to the source more important?