Outrage over Chris Brown concert: Divided opinions on GBV and female fans

As US singer Chris Brown prepares for his upcoming performance in Johannesburg on 14 December 2024, a wave of controversy has erupted, igniting a petition spearheaded by the advocacy group Women For Change. The organization is calling for the concert to be canceled, citing Brown’s history of violence against women, most notably the assault of his former girlfriend Rihanna in 2009.

Brown, who was charged with felony assault and pleaded guilty in the case that left Rihanna with severe facial injuries, has continued to face multiple allegations of abuse over the years. In 2017, his ex-girlfriend Karrueche Tran filed a restraining order against him, alleging that he made violent threats and physically assaulted her.

Women For Change emphasizes the gravity of the situation in South Africa, which is grappling with a gender-based violence (GBV) crisis. “South Africa is in the midst of a GBV crisis, where femicide rates are five times higher than the global average,” the organization stated in their petition. They urge concert organizers and the South African government to reconsider Brown’s performance, arguing that allowing him to take the stage sends a harmful message.

“Instead of glorifying individuals with a history of abuse, we must be empowering and supporting survivors,” Women For Change continued. They hope to leverage the situation to demand respect and safety for all women and girls in the country.

While the petition has garnered significant attention, many of Brown’s fans, predominantly women, are eager to attend the concert, viewing it as an opportunity to celebrate his music and artistry. “As a fan, I see Chris as someone who has made mistakes but has also grown as an artist,” said one female supporter. “I think it’s unfair to judge his entire career on past incidents when so many of us just want to enjoy his performance.”

This division raises a pressing question: will Big Concerts heed the arguments from Women For Change and cancel the event? As of now, the concert organizers have not indicated any intention to cancel, despite the petition and public outcry. In fact, an additional date has already been added to the tour due to “overwhelming demand,” with the first show reportedly sold out.

“Chris Brown’s music resonates with a lot of female fans,” another local female fan on Twitter commented. The ticket prices for the concert range from R515 to R5,744.25, reflecting a broad spectrum of accessibility for fans. With such high interest in the show, it remains to be seen how the ongoing debate will influence Big Concerts’ final decision.

As the date approaches, the conversation around Chris Brown’s past and its relevance to his present continues to unfold, reflecting broader societal issues surrounding violence against women. “Will the voices of those advocating for change overshadow the desires of his loyal fans? Only time will tell,” question asked by a female fan on YouTube.

Sources: SABC, News24