EBT Card and $8M Fortune: Inside Kevin McCall’s Public Breakdown, $25K Claim Against Chris Brown, and The Feud Over “Deuces”

R&B singer, songwriter, and producer Kevin McCall, best known for his successful collaborations with Chris Brown, made headlines on October 20, 2025, after a dramatic emotional breakdown during an appearance on the Back on Fig podcast. During the live broadcast, McCall wept, revealed he is dependent on EBT (food stamps) for assistance, and publicly called out Chris Brown.

The raw display of his poverty starkly contrasts with his past wealth and the reported $90 million-plus earnings from Chris Brown’s recent tour.

The $25,000 Claim and Lost Millions

McCall’s primary public claim is that Chris Brown owes him $25,000 for writing four specific songs. He lamented his current situation, stating he is struggling to make $2,000 monthly child support payments and has not seen his children in over a decade.

However, the video reveals a critical detail about McCall’s financial woes:

$8 Million Lost: McCall admitted in a previous 2019 interview that he blew an estimated $8 million fortune he earned during his peak, spending the wealth on luxury cars, jewelry, and an unsustainable lavish lifestyle.
No Lawsuit: Despite the video’s title and ongoing rumors, extensive searches of legal records show no actual lawsuit filed by Kevin McCall against Chris Brown for $10 million or any amount. His claims remain in the realm of social media and public discussion.

The Toxic History of a Partnership

The relationship between McCall and Chris Brown was once a lucrative partnership. McCall, who signed to Brown’s CBE imprint around 2009–2010, was instrumental in Brown’s career comeback after his legal troubles. Their most significant collaboration was the 2010 smash hit “Deuces,” a track McCall claims was originally his own.

The partnership devolved into a toxic beef around 2016 when McCall posted threats online, including disturbing messages against Brown and his daughter. This led to a bitter public feud and the permanent breakdown of their professional relationship.

Chris Brown’s Shaded Response

Chris Brown addressed the breakdown indirectly just two days later on social media, making it clear he has no intention of reconciling or paying the money. Brown posted a pointed quote: “Remember this you can’t walk across a burnt bridge and you know what’s funnier than a troll broke one.”

Interestingly, rapper Young Thug showed industry solidarity by publicly offering to pay McCall the $25,000, although it remains unclear if McCall accepted the money.

McCall’s breakdown and the public reaction have brought attention to the harsh realities faced by songwriters who feel exploited, juxtaposing his claims of mental health struggles and suicidal thoughts with his documented past of alleged domestic violence and blowing his massive personal wealth.