Chris Brown has been released from a UK jail after posting £5 million ($6.7 million) bail, clearing the way for his upcoming world tour to proceed as planned.
The 36-year-old American singer and songwriter, best known for hits like ‘Without You’, had been taken into custody last week at a hotel in Salford, near Manchester. He was arrested in connection with a violent incident at a London nightclub in February 2023, where he allegedly assaulted music producer Abe Diaw with a bottle.
The charges, grievous bodily harm with intent, had cast serious doubt on the artist’s international tour, which is set to begin next month. However, at a bail hearing on Wednesday, Judge Tony Baumgartner of Southwark Crown Court ruled that Brown could proceed with his tour, including UK dates, provided he paid the substantial bail amount as assurance he would appear for trial.
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Brown did not attend the court session and was released later that afternoon, AP reported.
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Prosecutors allege that during a night out at the upscale Tape nightclub in Mayfair, Brown launched an unprovoked attack on Abe Diaw, striking him multiple times with a bottle before kicking and punching him as the altercation spilled onto the crowded dance floor. Surveillance footage reportedly captured the incident.
Another man, 38-year-old musician Omololu Akinlolu, better known by his stage name “Hoody Baby” and a known associate of Brown, was also charged in connection with the assault. Neither Brown nor Akinlolu has entered a plea. Both are due back in court on June 20.
Brown had originally been scheduled to appear on June 13, but his release ensures he will be free to launch his tour in Amsterdam on June 8, followed by North American dates starting in July.
The Grammy-winning artist, who broke into the music industry as a teenager in 2005, earned his first Grammy in 2011 for Best R&B Album with F.A.M.E., and added a second earlier this year for 11:11 (Deluxe).
