Saturday Star

A fandom expert explains how racialised loyalty helps the controversial singer retain his fans

US singer Chris Brown’s reputation is as well known as his music.

In 2009, he was sentenced to five years probation for assaulting his then-girlfriend, fellow singer Rihanna, and he has been involved in other controversies over the years involving violence, misogyny and alleged sexual assault.

The UK leg of his arena tour, “Under the Influence”, started on March 9. These are his first British shows since being denied entry in 2010 because of his criminal record.

The tour sold out in minutes, and a recent Evening Standard review described Brown as “arguably cancel culture’s greatest fail

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