Stephen A. Smith felt the need to explain himself after saying that Rihanna didn't match up to Beyoncé during an interview on Sherri. 

They were talking about Ri playing the halftime show at this year's Super Bowl at the time.

“Rihanna’s music is fantastic,” said Smith during the chat. “She’s great. She’s a sister. I love her dearly, I listen to her music, I’m gonna support her ’til the cows come home. I’m just telling you, for me, there’s Beyoncé and there’s everybody else ... Just like there’s Michael Jackson and there’s everybody else. Ladies and gentlemen, [Rihanna is] a lot of things. She’s spectacular actually and congratulations on new mamahood. There’s one thing she’s not — she ain’t Beyoncé.”

Not surprisingly, the sports analyst was ripped by Rihanna's fans so he addressed the backlash on Instagram.

 

 

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“I need to be more careful," said Smith. "I meant it as no disrespect to Rihanna. I know she’s phenomenal and she’s my sister. Nothing but love for her, but Beyoncé is my sister, too.”

Since we're comparing here, who do you prefer, Bey or Ri?