Irish rap trio Original Rudeboys have turned down an offer to perform with Chris Brown, citing the singer's 2009 attack on his then-girlfriend, Rihanna. Appearing with Brown would "go against everything we are about", they explained.
According to the group's interview with RTE, reps for Chris Brown approached the Original Rudeboys to open his 3 December concert at Dublin's O2 Arena. "Even though it's a huge opportunity to play in the O2 with a major hip-hop star, and a substantial fee was offered," Sean Walsh said, "we are completely against Chris Brown's assault on Rihanna."
The incident also has a bearing on the Original Rudeboys' new single, Blue Eyes, which is "about domestic violence". "You tell your mates he's great/ but read the clues," the song's lyrics advise. "It makes sense to break up and escape/ the way he leaves you in a state/ broken and bruised." Domestic violence "goes against everything we are about as a band," Walsh said, "and supporting Chris Brown would send out the wrong message to our fans."
The Original Rudeboys' debut album was released in Ireland this March, reaching No 3 in the charts. The acoustic hip-hop group has gone on to open for Cheryl Cole and the Script. Their next gig is at the Academy in Dublin on 22 December.
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