Wallmart which was accused by Chris Brown on Twitter to have been blackballing his new album "Graffiti" has come forward denying the claim. "We are surprised at the comments on Twitter, since all Walmart stores carried the CD since its release, including the Wallingford store mentioned in the post," so read the statement from the U.S. giant retailer. "This store had in fact sold through their copies over the weekend. The majority of our stores are showing today they have copies on hand," it was further stated to Billboard. Wallmart is not the only store denying the boycott report as another retailer Newbury Comics has also said the same thing.
"We have it; it's not selling much," head of purchasing Carl Mello said. "We never considered not bringing it in. If we stopped bringing in records from every unsavory character that puts out an album, there would be tumbleweed floating around our stores."
Before Chris Brown deleted his Twitter, the "With You" singer wrote, "JUST WAS AT WALMART IN wallingford CT,844 north colony.. the(y) didnt even have my album in the back ... not on shelves, saw for myself." He added, "We talked to the managers and the(y) didnt even know anything. Wow!!!"
"But they had Alicia Keys album ready for release for this tuesday comin. the manager told me that when there are new releases its mandatory to put em on the shelves.. BUT NO SIGN OF #GRAFFITI. BS no disprespect to alicia at all.. just givin an example to whos album is loaded and ready to go next week."
Contrary to his Twitter rant however, Billboard found that Best Buy in Union Square and on Broadway by Houston Street, in Manhattan, as well as at the J&R Music World superstore in downtown Manhattan have plenty of the albums in stock for purchase. At press time, Chris' label Jive Records declined to comment on the issue.