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Chris Brown's Johannesburg Show Divides Fans: Talent vs. Troubling Past
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| U.S. singer Chris Brown |
*Chris Brown has landed in South Africa for his sold-out concert at Johanneburg's FNB Stadium from December 14-15. Here is a video of Chris Brown and his crew after landing in Joburg.
I have been keenly watching people catching strays on social media for merely stating they had bought tickets to Grammy award-winning US R&B megastar Chris Brown’s sold-out concert at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on Saturday and Sunday (December 14 -15).
Among those on the receiving end was former University of Cape Town vice-chancellor, Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng, who was forced to literally wipe the floor with a bully from X (Twitter) that had pointed out the professor was conflicted.
The X bully tried to argue the point that Phakeng, who had previously spoken out against gender-based violence (GBV) in the country, was being hypocritical by attending Brown’s concert. The American singer shattered every record in the South African entertainment industry by selling more than 92,000 tickets within a space of two hours. Tickets for the showpiece are priced at R515 to R5,744 for the VIP experience.
Now for a bit of context on the controversy dogging the 35-year-old awards-winning Brown: He was convicted of felony assault for attacking his then girlfriend and superstar Rihanna in 2009. The Grammy-winner was arrested and charged with felony assault. He pleaded guilty and accepted a plea deal that included five years of probation, community service, and domestic violence counseling.
The case brought widespread media attention and had a significant impact on both Brown's career and public image. Despite this, he has continued to release music and maintain an increasing fan base, though the conviction has remained a point of controversy and a monkey on his back.
Besides assaulting Rihanna, Brown has courted controversy over the years. IOL reports that in February 2017, the talented musician was ordered to stay away from his former girlfriend, Karrueche Tran, who accused him of punching her in the stomach and pushing her down the stairs.
In July 2024, Brown and his entourage were sued for $50 million (R900 million) for allegedly assaulting four men: Larry Parker, Joseph Lewis, Charles Bush, and Damarcus Powell backstage at his show in Texas.
Now back to Phakeng, she pointed out in a series of X posts that she won’t allow bullies to police her entertainment choices or dictate how she spends her money.
“Even today, I am totally against GBV and strongly condemn it in all its forms. I believe that those who perpetrate GBV should face the full might of the law without exceptions or leniency. But let me be clear, just in case the message didn't sit well: I am going to attend Chris Brown's concert if he comes. These two things are not mutually exclusive! To suggest that enjoying a concert automatically aligns you with every past action of the artist is, at best, simplistic, and at worst, intellectually dishonest,” Phakeng said in one X post.
“Chris Brown’s history of violence against women, including his 2009 arrest for assaulting Rihanna, stands in stark contrast to the values of this global Anti-GBV campaign, especially in a country where femicide is five times higher than the worldwide average. Hosting Chris Brown sends a harmful message to survivors of abuse and undermines the progress we are trying to make in addressing GBV in South Africa,” the organisation said.
The Women For Change outfit were not done: “Throughout the years, Chris Brown has had a series of legal entanglements, including the singer’s guilty plea for assaulting and beating his then-girlfriend Rihanna in 2009, for which he was sentenced to five years' probation and community service and forced to undergo domestic violence counselling. In the years following, he pleaded guilty to a separate assault and was sued by a woman alleging sexual assault, along with a variety of other legal issues.”
The organisation said on October 27, 2024, “Chris Brown: A History of Violence” will launch on Investigation Discovery’s third annual “No Excuse for Abuse” campaign.
The X bully tried to argue the point that Phakeng, who had previously spoken out against gender-based violence (GBV) in the country, was being hypocritical by attending Brown’s concert. The American singer shattered every record in the South African entertainment industry by selling more than 92,000 tickets within a space of two hours. Tickets for the showpiece are priced at R515 to R5,744 for the VIP experience.
Now for a bit of context on the controversy dogging the 35-year-old awards-winning Brown: He was convicted of felony assault for attacking his then girlfriend and superstar Rihanna in 2009. The Grammy-winner was arrested and charged with felony assault. He pleaded guilty and accepted a plea deal that included five years of probation, community service, and domestic violence counseling.
The case brought widespread media attention and had a significant impact on both Brown's career and public image. Despite this, he has continued to release music and maintain an increasing fan base, though the conviction has remained a point of controversy and a monkey on his back.
Besides assaulting Rihanna, Brown has courted controversy over the years. IOL reports that in February 2017, the talented musician was ordered to stay away from his former girlfriend, Karrueche Tran, who accused him of punching her in the stomach and pushing her down the stairs.
In July 2024, Brown and his entourage were sued for $50 million (R900 million) for allegedly assaulting four men: Larry Parker, Joseph Lewis, Charles Bush, and Damarcus Powell backstage at his show in Texas.
Now back to Phakeng, she pointed out in a series of X posts that she won’t allow bullies to police her entertainment choices or dictate how she spends her money.
“Even today, I am totally against GBV and strongly condemn it in all its forms. I believe that those who perpetrate GBV should face the full might of the law without exceptions or leniency. But let me be clear, just in case the message didn't sit well: I am going to attend Chris Brown's concert if he comes. These two things are not mutually exclusive! To suggest that enjoying a concert automatically aligns you with every past action of the artist is, at best, simplistic, and at worst, intellectually dishonest,” Phakeng said in one X post.
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| Chris Brown performing live |
Breezy’s upcoming concert has also attracted the interest of non-profit organisation, Women For Change, which advocates against GBV and femicide in SA. In a petition titled, “Stop Chris Brown from Performing in South Africa: No Stage for Abusers”, the organisation said it was deeply concerned about Brown’s upcoming concert as it comes just days after the world commemorated the 16 Days of Activism Against GBV. The petition has gathered over 20,000 signatures to date.
“Chris Brown’s history of violence against women, including his 2009 arrest for assaulting Rihanna, stands in stark contrast to the values of this global Anti-GBV campaign, especially in a country where femicide is five times higher than the worldwide average. Hosting Chris Brown sends a harmful message to survivors of abuse and undermines the progress we are trying to make in addressing GBV in South Africa,” the organisation said.
The Women For Change outfit were not done: “Throughout the years, Chris Brown has had a series of legal entanglements, including the singer’s guilty plea for assaulting and beating his then-girlfriend Rihanna in 2009, for which he was sentenced to five years' probation and community service and forced to undergo domestic violence counselling. In the years following, he pleaded guilty to a separate assault and was sued by a woman alleging sexual assault, along with a variety of other legal issues.”
The organisation said on October 27, 2024, “Chris Brown: A History of Violence” will launch on Investigation Discovery’s third annual “No Excuse for Abuse” campaign.
Women For Change said: “We demand to know how Home Affairs could grant a visa to a convicted abuser to perform in South Africa. This decision is concerning and indicative of a systemic failure to protect the very individuals who need our support the most. We must hold individuals accountable for their actions and work to build a culture that uplifts and supports survivors rather than glorifying those who have caused harm.”
The organisation urged concert organisations and decision-makers to “reconsider hosting Chris Brown and call on the public to support our advocacy for a safer, more respectful society for all women and girls”.
Breezy cheekily responded to the organisation, posting on social media: “Can’t wait to come.”
2006
- BET Awards: Best New Artist
- American Music Awards: Artist of the Year, Favorite Male Soul/R&B Artist, Favorite Male Pop/Rock Artist
- BET Awards: Best Male R&B Artist
- Grammy Awards: Best R&B Album (F.A.M.E.)
- BET Awards: Best Male R&B Artist, Best Collaboration ("Look at Me Now")
- Grammy Awards: Best R&B Album (F.A.M.E.)
- BET Awards: Best Male R&B Artist
- BET Awards: Best Collaboration ("Loyal")
- BET Awards: Best Male R&B Artist
- iHeartRadio Music Awards: R&B Artist of the Year
- BET Awards: Best Male R&B Artist
- BET Awards: Best Male R&B Artist
- BET Awards: Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
- BET Awards: Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
- The Headies: International Artist of the Year
- BET Awards: Best Male R&B/Pop Artist (nominee)
All three artists have faced significant public outrage over accusations related to abuse — Brown for assaulting Rihanna, R. Kelly for decades of sexual abuse and trafficking, and P. Diddy for more recent allegations of sexual abuse and rape. These controversies have impacted their careers, with activists and social justice groups calling for concert cancellations, the boycotting of their music and questioning whether platforms should be given to entertainers with such troubling pasts.
Another major parallel is the ongoing debate about separating the artist from the art. Fans and critics are divided on whether it's appropriate to continue supporting artists who have been accused or convicted of serious offences. For each artist, their talent and contributions to the music industry are undeniable, but their personal behaviour has cast a shadow over their legacies. This has led to protests, boycotts, and movements (like #MuteRKelly and #MeToo) against their performances, with audiences questioning the morality of enjoying their music while knowing their controversial histories.
As the controversies swirl around Chris Brown, R. Kelly, and P. Diddy, the entertainment industry grapples with the tough question: can talent ever truly overshadow a troubled past?
Update: December 12 2024 - This article has been updated to reflect that Chris Brown has arrived in South Africa for his two-day concert at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg.
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