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Chris Brown’s Alleged Assault Charges Could Cost Him His Endorsement Deals

Posted Mon Feb 9, 2009 12:58pm PST by Billy Johnson, Jr. in Hip-Hop Media Training

No. Not Chris Brown.

He's been the squeaky clean pop R&B poster boy since he hit the scene in 2005 with his #1 debut single "Run It." 

He is not Michael Jackson, but he surely lit a fire under Usher's behind.

He has not publicly feuded with another artist. 

He's been dating his female counterpart Rihanna.

He even had a Doublemint commercial. 

He is 19-years-old.

There are a half a dozen upcoming teen male pop R&B singers signed to major labels who wish they could achieve his success. 

But if the allegations are true that Brown assaulted a woman, his career will be in jeopardy.

According to the reports from the most reputable news sources, Brown turned himself in to authorities Sunday evening in connection with a charge of making a criminal threat. After being interviewed by police, he was released on a $50,000 bond. 

Brown is being accused of assaulting a woman Sunday early morning and fleeing the scene, leaving her in a car in the Hancock Park section of Los Angeles. As a result of the issue, Brown canceled his performance at Sunday's 51st Grammy Awards where he was nominated for two trophies, best pop collaboration for his song "No Air" with Jordin Sparks and best male R&B performance for his ballad "Take You Down."

It is unclear whether or not his girlfriend pop star Rihanna was the victim, however, insiders are speculating that it was the "Umbrella" singer who made the 911 call to police, complaining of being attacked.

Rihanna also withdrew from her scheduled performance from the Grammys.

The couple was last seen together Saturday night when they attended the annual pre-Grammy party hosted by music veteran Clive Davis. Reports indicate that they were happy. 

On Sunday a spokesperson for Rihanna told People magazine that the singer was well, but did not confirm whether she was involved in the altercation.

I hate to speculate on matters like this until all of the facts have been revealed. But I do want to consider what the ramifications might be for Chris Brown if he is found guilty of hitting a woman.

Aside from potentially serving jail time, Chris could face a backlash from his fans and the companies that endorse him. 

Wrigley said Monday that it will be suspending its Chris Brown ad campaign for Doublement gum. In a statement the company said it would delay any advertising or related marketing until the situation is resolved, AP reported. Wrigley added that Brown should be "afforded the same due process as any citizen."

Advertisers and sponsors are quick to disassociate themselves from artists with controversial histories. Ludacris lost an endorsement deal with Pepsi in 2002 when The O'Reilly Factor host Bill O'Reilly attacked the soft drink giant for supporting an artist whom O'Reilly described to have socially irresponsible lyrics. And last year, Verizon pulled the plug on its sponsorship of Gwen Stefani's tour after opening act Akon was seen on a web clip dirty dancing with an underage girl at one of his club dates.

Just last week, we saw the consequences Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps faced when photos surfaced of the 23-year-old swimmer smoking marijuana via a bong pipe.

This could potentially affect Chris' invitation to other award shows and might even prompt fans to not support his upcoming concerts. 

Respected hip-hop historian and journalist Dave "Davey D" Cook said that Brown losing endorsement deals is hardly the key issue. He wants to know how the community will be affected by having role models in Brown and Rihanna entangled in a widely publicized domestic matter. "The music industry, they'll circle the wagons and protect him," Cook said via email. "They'll spin the story and even go out after the victim which is happening now with Rihanna, who is catching heat from people accusing her of snitching."

Cook adds that he would like to see both Brown and Rihanna get help, but he believes that the music business will first put emphasis on keeping Brown's career afloat. "Chris Brown is a hot commodity making money in a crumbling industry that celebrates abusive culture, i.e. pimping," Cook said. "He'll be protected and held up to high esteem just like Ike Turner, Dr. Dre and Big Pun and numerous other artists and entertainers accused of domestic violence."

Many of Chris and Rihanna's fans are already forming opinions about the allegations.

After the news reports were released, fans expressed their opinions on social networking sites. 

I've read many status updates on Facebook that conveyed anger towards Chris Brown.

On Rihanna's MySpace page, some users left her encouraging words, telling her that they are praying for her, that she will be okay, and to do what's best.

Ironically, few harshly condemn Brown. Some even take his side, citing rumors that Rihanna may have provoked a fight between the couple.

The comments on Brown's MySpace page clearly support the artist. One reminded him that he is innocent until proven guilty, while another told him not to worry because everyone makes mistakes. 

We will see how the reaction develops as more of the story comes to light.

Brown is scheduled to go to court on March 5.

17314 Comments

121. Yahoo! Music User -
obviously he ran away for a reason! I can't believe these girls sticking up for him. provoked or not violence is never justified!

122. Trisha -
wow i cant believe this is happening. i am a hug fan of both of these stars and im in total shock. im not here to judge chris or rihanna becuz only they kno wat really went down but rumors on thisis50.com state that chris brown hit rihanna cuz she gave him herpes. like i sed idk if itz true but dammm...i wish dem bothda best and i hope chris brown didnt hit her bcuz that wud ruin his image in the eyes of many of his fans.

123. Yahoo! Music User -
speculation smeckulation. wait for the facts!

124. MsVirgo -
I don't think he did it.I think it was exxagerated.We have to wait in see,though.

125. windsor h -
first phelps...now brown....just wow....

126. steven r -
if it is true and CB does get off, michael vick needs to be let out of jail immediatly

127. whatdf -
ike turner has returned in chris brown's body

128. Gabby -
i dont think chris did it. not just because im a huge fan of his but because he seems like a nice guy. he has seen his mother go threw stuff like that. wat makes u think he would ever do something like that. has he done anything like this befor.? no no he hasnt. i stand by him all the way.

129. Yahoo! Music User -
Ghetto punk

130. dashiznits -
i think its a scam by wrigley so they wont have to pay him so much money anymore. i bet wrigley set the whole thing up

131. Khommy -
degrassi1316 - Mon Feb 9, 2009 7:07am PST
I dont think Chris did it especially cuz he's seen his mom n a domestic violence situation. Chris is too laid back and nice.

^how you nooo he laid bak and nice you dunt know him personnally what a idiot i believe he did it, because he think he is all tough wit his tattoo HAHAHAH

132. Nikiemmo J -
www.hms.notlong.com --- EVIL, LIVES HERE.

133. Nikki -
We all know That Chris is young and with that we all know he has some growing up to do along with some of the people who are defending him. I like Chris Brown however hitting a woman is wrong no matter what she says to you or does to you. He knows better and I pray that this is a story that wrong and the media has it wrong but if not well Chris you have to pay for what you did. If they were both fighting each other they really need some help and I pray for them. I hope and pray young people look and them and understand how serious this is and how it could cause problems in his life and hers.

134. boliver_bumgut -
How come a low life lady beater gets more press than those that were at the event and recieved accolaides? A sad statement on what the press thinks WE want to see.

135. Yahoo! Music User -
For those who say "It's never a womans fault" or "It's never ok for a man to hit a woman"....do you think violence in a relationship is ok if the woman is hitting the man?

136. April -
Chris Brown is bicth

137. M C -
no excuse for a man to hit a woman...nobody could provoke that. hmmm he is in deep doo doo

138. clashanta -
hey don't worry i will keep you in prayer oky and no matter what happens we still love, but trust in god everything will be fine. we love you i belive you you didn't mean to do what you didk

139. Wailer -
Since when does a hip hop artist getting in trouble hurt their career? TI is #1 and he is going to jail next month.. come on.. that genre of music is ABOUT getting in trouble.

140. melissa -
I really like Chris Brown and Rihanna together and I hope that he didn't hit her. I don't think it is in his natural to hit a girl, but then again I don't know. I just can't wait to hear the real details. And Lee Lee I really don't think his career is over....well at least not yet.
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