Chris Brown charged with grievous bodily harm over nightclub assault

In February 2023, Chris Brown, the Grammy-winning American singer, was involved in a significant legal incident in London, England. He was arrested following allegations of assaulting music producer Abe Diaw at a nightclub, which reportedly occurred on February 19, 2023. The incident involved Brown allegedly using a bottle to seriously injure Diaw, followed by a physical attack caught on surveillance footage. This situation escalated as British police charged Chris Brown with grievous bodily harm with intent, a serious offense under UK law. On May 16, 2025, Chris Brown, who was performing in the UK at the time, appeared in a Manchester court where he was remanded in custody following the charge against him. During the hearing, it was noted that the incident was particularly severe, prompting the judge to reject Brown's bail request. Brown's legal team argued against the classification of him as a flight risk and requested his release, but the prosecution emphasized the gravity of the alleged crime, which led to the decision to keep him in custody until the next court date. Additionally, another individual, Omololu Akinlolu, known professionally as Hoody Baby, was charged alongside Chris Brown for their involvement in the nightclub incident. Akinlolu, aged 38, is a musician and a friend of Brown's, facing the same allegations related to the assault. Both men were expected to enter pleas later in the legal proceedings. The involvement of both artists emphasized the extent of the incident as it involved multiple parties engaging in serious violence. Chris Brown's legal troubles come amidst his ongoing music career, which has had a tumultuous history of run-ins with the law, including a well-publicized past involving felony assault charges. The severity of the current allegations raises questions about the future of his touring schedule, which is slated to kick off in June 2025. As Brown awaits his next court appearance scheduled for June 13, the repercussions of this charge could substantially impact both his career and personal life moving forward.