Chris Brown faces more criticism after announcing Saint John show

It’s been announced the Maritimes will be getting a double dose of R&B artist/rapper Chris Brown at the end of the summer.

Not only will he preform in Dartmouth Aug. 31, but he’ll head to Saint John the next day, Sept. 1, for a show at Harbour Station.

Like Halifax, the controversial past of Brown is rubbing some people the wrong way in Saint John.

Concert promoter Steven Tobin admitted Brown’s domestic violence incident five years ago with then-girlfriend Rihanna can make the artist a polarizing figure.

“There’s mixed opinion, but at the same time there are a lot of people who are very excited about the shows,” he said. “There always going to be some mixed reaction and mixed opinions with an artist this big, but at the same time there seems to be a lot of positivity in Saint John and a lot of people excited for the show.”

It’s been suggested Brown should make a donation to a women’s shelter when he comes, but Tobin said the singer is trying to move past the incident.

“He is very sensitive about the issue, but he’s more focused on trying to move forward,” explained Tobin. “He appreciates it, he understands both sides of the situation but he’s looking forward to putting on a big, great show for his fans not only in Halifax but in Saint John as well.”

Tobin added his company, Drop Entertainment Group, will be partnering with “LOVE” Nova Scotia (Leave Out Violence) and some of the proceeds from the concerts will go to the organization.

“It’s a youth oriented organization and they specialize in taking a 360 approach to eradicating violence,” he explained. “They deal with not only people who have been abused, but they deal with abusers and witnesses to abuse as well.”

The Make a Wish Foundation is also going to be involved.

“There’s a young boy whose wish is to meet Chris Brown so Chris has agreed to fly that young man down to one these Canadian shows to have an opportunity to meet him,” he said.

As unfortunate as it is, Tobin said there are a number of artists who have – and will – preform in Halifax and Saint John who have had run-ins with the law or who have less than clean pasts.

“Halifax welcomed, with open arms, Guns N’ Roses, should we take a close look at Axl Rose and his past?” he questioned. “We think about John Lennon, who too many people personifies peace and love, but should we take a look at his past?”

Tobin said it’s an uncomfortable topic, but he feels race plays into the backlash Brown is seeing.

He explained the difference may be people look at Brown, as a young black man with tattoos, and label him a thug.