Musician faces charges alongside Chris Brown in suspected London nightclub attack

A musician and friend of Chris Brown has been charged along with the Grammy-winning artist for allegedly attacking and seriously hurting a music producer at a nightclub in London in 2023, police said Saturday.

Omololu Akinlolu, 38, who performs as “Hoody Baby,” is expected to appear in Manchester Magistrates’ Court on a charge of causing serious bodily harm with intent.

Brown, 36, was taken into custody without bail on the same charge on Friday, putting his upcoming tour at risk. He is expected to appear at Southwark Crown Court in London on June 13, which falls on the third day of his world tour.

Akinlolu is a rapper from Dallas, Texas, and has worked with both Brown and Lil Wayne. He has also used the names “Fat Leopard” and “Super Hood.”

Police did not give details about Akinlolu’s exact role in the alleged attack but confirmed that he is being charged for the same incident as Brown.

Brown was touring the U.K. in February 2023 when he allegedly carried out an unprovoked attack on producer Abe Diaw at the Tape nightclub in London’s upscale Mayfair area, said prosecutor Hannah Nicholls during a court hearing on Friday.

According to Nicholls, Brown hit Diaw several times with a bottle and then chased him, punching and kicking him. The attack was caught on security cameras and happened in front of a crowded club.

Brown did not make a plea in court and only confirmed his name, birth date, and gave his address as the Lowry Hotel. He was arrested at that hotel in Manchester early Thursday and then taken into custody.

Brown’s team has not replied to repeated requests for comment from The Associated Press.

Known by the nickname Breezy, Brown first rose to fame as a teenager in 2005 and has had a long career with popular hits such as “Run It,” “Kiss Kiss,” and “Without You.”

He won his first Grammy in 2011 for best R&B album with “F.A.M.E.” and received another award in the same category earlier this year for “11:11 (Deluxe).”

He is set to begin an international tour next month with fellow artists Jhene Aiko, Summer Walker, and Bryson Tiller. The tour is planned to start in Amsterdam on June 8 before moving on to North American cities in July.