LONDON – Grammy-winning singer Chris Brown entered a plea of not guilty on Friday to charges stemming from a serious incident involving the beating of a music producer with a bottle at a London nightclub in 2023.
Brown, 36, pleaded not guilty in Southwark Crown Court to one count of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent.
Brown’s friend and fellow musician Omololu Akinlolu, 38, who performs under the name “Hoody Baby,” pleaded not guilty to the same charge.
According to prosecutors, Brown and Akinlolu attacked producer Abe Diaw at the Tape nightclub, located in the upscale Mayfair area, in February 2023. Brown is accused of initiating an unprovoked assault on Diaw, involving several blows with a bottle, followed by punching and kicking him.
The attack was caught on surveillance camera in front of a club full of people, prosecutors said.
Brown was released last month on 5 million-pound ($6.75 million) bail, which allowed him to start his world tour earlier this month.
Since making his debut as a teenager in 2005, Brown has achieved notable success, securing his first Grammy for best R&B album in 2011 with “F.A.M.E.” and winning another Grammy in the same category this year for “11:11 (Deluxe).”
His hits include songs such as “Run It,” “Kiss Kiss” and “Without You.”
His tour is due to kick off June 8 in Amsterdam before starting North America shows in July.
Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
