LONDON (AP) - Grammy-winning singer Chris Brown has pleaded not guilty to a charge related to the serious assault of a music producer at a London nightclub. The incident, which allegedly occurred in February 2023, involved a violent attack on producer Abe Diaw using a bottle.
During a plea hearing at Southwark Crown Court on June 20, 2025, the 36-year-old Brown pleaded not guilty to one count of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent. Alongside him, his friend and fellow musician Omololu Akinlolu, 38, who is known by his stage name "Hoody Baby," also entered a not guilty plea concerning the same charge.
Prosecutors described the sequence of events that transpired at the Tape nightclub, located in the upscale Mayfair district of London. According to the prosecution, Chris Brown launched an unprovoked attack on Abe Diaw, hitting him multiple times with a bottle before further assaulting him by punching and kicking. The violent encounter was reportedly captured on surveillance footage, which showed the distressing event unfolding in front of numerous onlookers in the club.
Following the incident, Brown was released last month on bail set at £5 million (approximately $6.75 million). This release allowed him to resume his world tour, which commenced earlier this month. Chris Brown, who gained prominence as a teenager in 2005, has been a significant figure in the music industry, particularly noted for winning his first Grammy Award for Best R&B Album in 2011 with his album "F.A.M.E." His second Grammy in the same category was awarded earlier this year for "11:11 (Deluxe)."
The artist is renowned for numerous hits, including “Run It,” “Kiss Kiss,” and “Without You.” His upcoming tour, which is part of his promotional activities, is set to kick off on June 8 in Amsterdam, with North American shows scheduled to follow in July.
As the legal proceedings continue, Chris Brown's future performances and career trajectory remain a topic of public interest and scrutiny, particularly in light of the serious allegations he now faces.
