Chris Brown‘s “Residuals” dropped on April 11, 2024 as part of his 11:11 (Deluxe) album. However, it didn’t start really dominating the charts until it formally became a focus single that September.
The Grammy-nominated ballad debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 weeks prior on August 24, and has since peaked to No. 40 and spent 26 weeks on the chart. It also spent three weeks topping the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart.
Originally set to appear on 2022’s Breezy, “Residuals” was the “first song that got buried,” according to Blaq Tuxedo’s chat with Rated R&B, but everything works out in due time. Inspired by Prince, the men feel many connected to “Residuals” because “it’s the closest thing to the F.A.M.E. era — the record choice, the feeling of the music […] He was very vulnerable. It was real. It’s just so relatable.”
With the influx of streams and acclaim, Tank took it upon himself to launch the Residuals Verse Challenge, which brought together singers everywhere to freestyle their own verse over the instrumental.
“I tried to fight it, but I gotta issue you a challenge,” said the crooner before showing folks how it should be done.
Other participants included the song’s co-producers Blaq Tuxedo as well as R. Kelly, Trevor Jackson, WanMor, Jastin Martin, Remey Williams, Shade Jenifer, LoverBoy Vo, Q Parker of 112, TA Thomas, Eric Dawkins, Julian King, Citi Limitz, Shaun Sutton, Venor, Carvena, Tatiana Clark, Mishon, Juiicy 2xs, and Isaiah Jaay.
Rewatch the original (above) first and our favorite versions below, in no particular order.
LaTocha Scott
Image Credit: Paras Griffin/Getty Images for Black Music Honors LaTocha Scott is best known for singing down the house and being just a tad bit messy.
She used her moment to address the fallout between herself, her sister Tamika, and fellow Xscape bandmates. She claimed that she’d be separated from her husband, Rocky, for the past two years and concluded her piece by expressing to Tamika, “You have my word; we gon’ have some words.”
Kandi called Scott out for not sharing the full truth on her cover, and feels she needs to fix things with her family before things can be reconciled with the group.
Shawn Stockman
Image Credit: Denise Truscello/Getty Images Stockman thanked Tank for “issuing the challenge and inspiring me to dust off my pen” before starting off his rendition with a guitar solo.
Upon first listen, you’d think he took the sexy approach for his version as he sang, “I want your body here with me so come and lay down/ This prank and joke is getting old/ Stop playin’ around.”
However, the Boyz II Men founding member actually showcased his vulnerable side and explained how his ego ruined his relationship. “It took the day you left for me to know this for sure/ ’cause I wanna cry but I’m a man and I got pride,” he sang.
Mario
Image Credit: Kristy Sparow/Getty Images Mario thought he was saving the best for last… and he was right.
The Baltimore native pleaded for forgiveness, detailing all the things her new man won’t and can’t do for her— while making us beg for more.
When speaking on his cover, Mario expressed, “THANK YOU FOR LISTENING. On behalf of R&B. When I write, I write with the intent to be as honest, vulnerable and RIO possible. When I sing, I sing with my pain, my struggle, my journey, my strength and the information I have learned from greats I’ve studied including YOU [Tank]!”
He added, “This was a great way to celebrate R&B royalty and my bro [Chris Brown] and his undeniable talent and strength on a soul level! We all have superpowers and the world is our canvas… Let’s KEEP GOIN!!”
Kevin Ross
Image Credit: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images Kevin Ross saw Tank‘s “bat signal” and answered the call when he dropped his version.
He reminisced on the highlights from a relationship, like speaking life into someone and late night macking, and how it changed once she became a “h*e by affiliation.” He ended on a humorous note, though, considering he forgot the lyrics to the chorus.
RL
Image Credit: Prince Williams/WireImage RL of Next interpolated his remix with Keith Sweat’s “Nobody” before taking listeners to church—Zion Baptist Church to be exact.
“Bro u put a lot of pressure on us sangin’ folks!! [Chris Brown] I hope I did ya joint justice!,” the crooner explained in the video’s caption.
Gene Noble
Image Credit: Gene Noble/Instagram Gene Noble has been a vocal beast, effortlessly complimenting the likes of Usher and others on the road, but his “Residuals” cover served as a reminder that he’s never been one to play with.
He spoke on being lied to and isolating himself out of fear and lack of trust. Yet, when he switched from falsetto to his lower register, Noble sent chills down our spine. Someone give us a shoe to throw.
We also noticed that the late Angie Stone was one of many to praise his cover. She urged him to release his own project and crowned him the “next big star.”
Jacob Latimore
Image Credit: Andrew Toth/Getty Images for MACRO After getting countless requests to join the challenge, Jacob Latimore used his remix to shed some light on his breakup with Serayah.
“Selfish in my ways I know I hurt your feelings/ Conversations goin’ left, right in front of our face/ No healing/ Know I wish you the best in love […] We were different/ I wasn’t ready to give you a baby,” he sang. Serayah is currently pregnant with her first child with boyfriend, Joey Bada$$.
She and Latimore were in a relationship for roughly four years. When speaking on the commentary that sparked from the explosive sentiment, the actor told VIBE, “I knew it was coming. It’s just my reality.”
Avery Wilson
Image Credit: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images Avery Wilson can sing the alphabet and tear the house down, so of course his take on “Residuals” was filled with chilling runs and a goosebump-inducing falsetto.
He sang about a magnetic chemistry and the need to explain his complicated feelings to a lover. Despite him singing that some days he got it wrong, this was one time that he definitely got it right.
Vedo
Image Credit: Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BET Every time we hear “it’s Vedo baby,” we’re sat. No other luring is required.
Vedo referenced his own song, “You Got It,” and sang about the woman he prayed for and was patient with now giving all those benefits to another man. “Girl, don’t forget who bossed up/ Just to watch you run away,” he cooed. This was yet another successful V-Mix in the bag.
Devon Culture
Image Credit: Devon Culture/Instagram Devon Culture can sang. We had to run back his version a few times—one for the vocals and once more for the story of unrequited love.
“Committed to your emotions, not reality/ To the vision we set/ Can we see it/ Maybe I’m crashing out/ Thinkin’ the pain that I cause you/ It’s easy to heal it/ There are times when I’m alone hoping you pick up the phone when I call to hear your voice,” he coos. Not to mention, the color fading and single spotlight had our attention the entire time.
Zae France
Image Credit: Tim Mosenfelder/WireImage Who doesn’t love Zae France?
This man casually posted up with a Paid In Full print in the background and distracted us with his fineness. Once we focused, we realized that his rendition detailed how he lied about being over his ex and his attempting to move on while still begging her to come back home.
“We both agreed to leave it all alone/ I tried to move on but I was wrong/ Afraid that you gon let go/ I already tried/ I said the love was gone but I lied/ You give me that feeling/ I know I need healing,” he sang, seamlessly blending into the original’s theme and chorus.
Tone Stith
Image Credit: Derek White/Getty Images Tone Stith, who co-wrote Breezy’s “Liquor,” hopped on the “Residuals” challenge to remind fans that he is still one of the best vocalists from this generation.
He reflected on the little things that were said in conversations and the desire to “give it one more try.” He boasted about wanting more time, but being okay with where they stand today.
Sammie
Image Credit: Prince Williams/Wireimage Sammie’s remix was “based on a true story,” and that was really the heart of the cover.
He spoke on his relationship with his daughter’s mother and how things went left. “Trusted you with my heart/ Gave you my only baby/ You still actin’ childish/ Though we graduated/ Somehow you stay on my mind,” he sang. He admittedly wanted to “blame” this confession on the alcohol, but also revealed he’s sober.
Sammie then urged his ex to keep their business offline. Coincidentally, he dropped his cover on Valentine’s Day.
