Chris Brown, the 36-year-old American R&B singer, was arrested in Manchester, England, on May 15, 2025, in connection with an alleged assault that occurred at a London nightclub in February 2023. The Metropolitan Police detained Brown at The Lowry Hotel on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm.
The incident reportedly took place at Tape nightclub in London’s Mayfair district, where Brown is accused of attacking music producer Abe Diaw with a bottle of Don Julio 1942 tequila. According to legal documents, Brown allegedly struck Diaw over the head with the bottle, rendering him unconscious, and then continued to stomp on him while he was on the ground. Diaw sustained serious injuries, including head lacerations and torn ligaments in his leg, requiring hospitalization.
In October 2023, Diaw filed a lawsuit against Brown, seeking £12 million ($16 million) in damages. The lawsuit also accuses Brown of spreading defamatory rumors to damage Diaw’s professional relationships.
Brown’s arrest comes just weeks before the scheduled start of his “Breezy Bowl XX Tour,” celebrating his 20-year music career, with performances planned across major UK cities, including Manchester, Cardiff, London, Birmingham, and Glasgow. The tour’s future is now uncertain due to the ongoing investigation.
This incident adds to Brown’s history of legal troubles, including a 2009 felony assault conviction involving singer Rihanna and other allegations of violence.
As of now, Brown remains in custody, and his representatives have not publicly commented on the arrest.
This case serves as a reminder of the importance of accountability, regardless of one’s status or fame.