Chris Brown appeared in court this morning ahead of his trial over allegations he carried out a violent, unprovoked attack on a music producer at a London nightclub.
The Grammy-winning singer, 36, attended the hearing at Southwark Crown Court alongside his co-defendant, US rapper Omololu Akinlolu, also known as HoodyBaby.
Brown has pleaded not guilty to all charges arising from the alleged incident, which prosecutors say took place at the exclusive Tape nightclub in Hanover Square, Mayfair, in the early hours of February 19, 2023.
The 36-year-old, who was wearing a white jacket and grey trousers, spoke only to confirm his name.
There were around ten fans, who filed into the public gallery to support Brown during the hearing, who he waved to as he left the courtroom.
He then stopped to sign autographs outside for fans clutching photographs and merchandise.
The court requested that he return for another hearing on April 27 as part of his bail requirements.
The court previously heard that producer Abraham Diaw was standing at the bar when Brown allegedly struck him several times over the head with a tequila bottle. Prosecutors have described the alleged attack as ‘unprovoked’.
Chris Brown stopped to sign autographs outside for fans clutching photographs and merchandise
The 36-year-old, who was wearing a white jacket and grey trousers, spoke only to confirm his name
CCTV footage is said to show Brown chasing Mr Diaw through the venue before kicking and punching him as he lay on the floor.
Brown denies attempting to cause grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and possessing an offensive weapon – namely the tequila bottle.
Akinlolu, 38, also denies attempting to cause grievous bodily harm and a separate charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm against Mr Diaw.
The two lesser charges against Brown – assault and possession of an offensive weapon – were added in June last year to the more serious GBH count, to which he had already entered a not guilty plea.
Both defendants are expected to face a week-long trial beginning in October 2026.
Brown was arrested in May last year at the five-star Lowry Hotel in Salford after flying into the UK on a private jet ahead of preparations for his European tour.
He was held in custody for almost a week before being released after agreeing to pay a £5 million security fee – a financial guarantee to ensure his return to court.
He was also granted special permission to temporarily reclaim his passport in order to perform on his Breezy Bowl XX world tour last October – though had to surrender his documents on arrival in each country.
Brown is now allowed to leave the UK again ahead of his next appearance in court, but must notify the court of the address where he will live and sleep.
Chris Brown appeared at Southwark Crown Court this morning ahead of his trial over allegations of a violent, unprovoked attack
US rapper Omololu Akinlolu, also known as HoodyBaby, is a co-defendant in the case
Brown is accused of attacking a music promoter at a London nightclub with a tequila bottle
He must not contact either Akinlolu or Mr Diaw, and not attend the Tape nightclub.
Brown is one of the most successful R&B artists of his generation, boasting two Grammy Awards and 19 UK top-ten singles, including hits such as With You, Turn Up The Music, Don’t Wake Me Up and Freaky Friday.
He first rose to fame as a teenager with his 2005 self-titled debut album and has since released ten studio albums.
