Chris Brown’s upcoming concert in South Africa has ignited a heated conversation about the country’s high levels of gender-based violence (GBV) and the message his performance might send. The Grammy-winning R&B star quickly sold out tickets for his show at Johannesburg’s FNB Stadium, Africa’s largest venue, with a second date added to meet the overwhelming demand.

However, not everyone is celebrating. Many are concerned about Brown’s history of violence, particularly against women, and question whether hosting his concert sends the wrong signal in a nation grappling with some of the highest rates of femicide and GBV in the world.

Sabina Walter, executive director of Women for Change, expressed her disappointment over Brown’s visit, stating, “I was shocked and deeply disappointed.” The advocacy group has started a petition against his performance, which has already garnered over 20,000 signatures. Walter emphasized that allowing Brown to perform in a country where gender-based violence is rampant “sends a damaging message—that fame and power outweigh accountability.”

South Africa’s GBV crisis is staggering, with a rape reported every 12 minutes, though experts believe many incidents go unreported. Campaigners argue that Brown’s presence could undermine the country’s ongoing battle to address this issue.

In contrast, some public figures, like former University of Cape Town vice-chancellor Mamokgethi Phakeng, have defended their decision to attend the concert. Phakeng shared that she condemns GBV but does not believe attending the show is synonymous with endorsing the artist’s past actions. “To suggest that enjoying a concert aligns you with every past action of the artist is, at best, simplistic and, at worst, intellectually dishonest,” she said.

As the concert dates approach, the debate continues, with both sides voicing their perspectives on the complex intersection of art, accountability, and activism in South Africa.

Coldplay’s latest album, Moon Music, has made a historic impact, debuting at number one on the UK charts and selling more copies than the entire Top 40 combined. The band’s 10th studio album shifted an impressive 237,000 chart units—factoring in streams, downloads, and physical sales—over the past week, according to the Official Charts Company.

This achievement marks the biggest opening week for a British album since Adele’s 30 in 2021. With this success, Coldplay now joins the ranks of music legends ABBA, Michael Jackson, and Queen, each boasting 10 number-one albums. Only The Beatles remain ahead with a record 16 number-one albums.

In a heartfelt message to fans, the band expressed their gratitude: “Thank you to everyone who supported the release of Moon Music. It truly means the world.”

Coldplay’s enduring popularity and ability to connect with audiences across generations is a testament to their evolving sound and passionate fanbase, marking another milestone in their storied career.

Cissy Houston, the legendary gospel singer and mother of Whitney Houston, passed away peacefully at her New Jersey home on Monday morning at the age of 91. Houston had been in hospice care for Alzheimer’s disease, as confirmed by her daughter-in-law, Pat Houston.

In a heartfelt statement, Pat expressed the family’s grief: “Our hearts are filled with pain and sadness. We lost the matriarch of our family,” while also paying tribute to Cissy’s strength and lasting impact, calling her a “strong and towering figure” in their lives.

Cissy Houston’s illustrious career spanned decades, with highlights that include collaborations with some of the biggest names in music, such as Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, and Van Morrison. Born in 1933 in New Jersey, she was the youngest of eight siblings and started her singing journey early on, performing gospel music with her family. In the 1960s, she gained widespread recognition as part of the R&B group The Sweet Inspirations, singing backup for stars like Otis Redding, Dionne Warwick, and on Van Morrison’s iconic hit “Brown Eyed Girl.”

After finding success with The Sweet Inspirations, Houston launched her own solo career, performing with a diverse range of artists including Chaka Khan, Jimi Hendrix, Beyoncé, Paul Simon, and her beloved daughter, Whitney Houston. Her powerful voice earned her two Grammy Awards, one for her gospel album Face to Face in 1997 and another for He Leadeth Me in 1998.

Cissy Houston was also an accomplished author, penning three books, including Remembering Whitney: A Mother’s Story of Life, Loss and The Night the Music Stopped, which shared memories of her daughter Whitney Houston, who tragically passed away in 2012.

Even in her later years, Cissy continued to perform, sharing a memorable stage with Aretha Franklin on The Late Show with David Letterman at the age of 80, where they covered Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep.”

Pat Houston expressed the family’s gratitude for Cissy’s extraordinary life and legacy: “Her more than seven-decade career in music and entertainment will remain at the forefront of our hearts… we are blessed and grateful that God allowed her to spend so many years with us.”

Cissy Houston’s memory will live on through her remarkable musical contributions and the deep love she shared with her family. May she rest in peace, reunited with her daughter Whitney and granddaughter Bobbi Kristina.