Advertisement

Chvrches ups security following death, rape threats from Chris Brown supporters

(L-R) Lauren Mayberry of Chvrches and Chris Brown. Getty Images Archive

WARNING: This article contains sexual and explicit language and may be triggering for some readers. Please read at your own discretion.

UPDATE: 10 a.m. ET — Following an influx of hate mail and death threats from Chris Brown supporters targeted towards Chvrches, the band has reportedly decided to increase security levels at its shows.

Singer Lauren Mayberry, revealed her concerns of safety on Monday while detailing the gruesome threats over social media.

“I am not staying in my own home when we finish [our] tour because the threats we have received have reached such a scale,” she wrote on Twitter.

“We have to have the police at our shows now,” added Mayberry, 31. “If that’s what I deserve for saying mainstream music should be more morally conscious, then so be it.”

Story continues below advertisement

Over the weekend, she posted a screenshot of one of the threats made towards her on Instagram. It read: “I hope Tyga rapes you, then Chris Brown beats the s**t out of you, then R. Kelly comes and p**ses on your white a**.”

During Chvrches’ set at Fortress Festival in Fort Worth, Texas, on Saturday, Mayberry claimed to the audience that the over-the-top threats made by Brown’s supporters prove what kind of a person he is.

“We were like, ‘Maybe don’t promote serial-convicted violence to kids… to young people,'” she said. “And they were like, ‘Well, you know what we’re going to do? We’re going to rape you and shoot you.’ And I was like, ‘Oh, you kinda proved the point though.’ So, in a way, I’m like, ‘Thanks.'”

Story continues below advertisement

The singer added that Chvrches spoke out against Marshmello because he went against their morals by working with alleged sexual abusers. “Chvrches is a brand that people can buy into,” she said. “It has to be honest and it has to be authentic.”

“We would be really hypocritical if we worked with somebody and didn’t say anything about what they did,” concluded Mayberry.

Chvrches press photo. hand out photo/Glassnote Records

READ MORE: Taylor Swift shatters YouTube records with ‘Me!’

ORIGINAL STORY:

After Chvrches questioned Marshmello‘s decision to collaborate with Chris Brown and Tyga on last week’s single, Light it Up, Brown, 29, lashed out against the Scottish indie pop band.

Story continues below advertisement

The Leave a Trace hitmakers — who collaborated with Marshmello, 26, on Here with Me in March — posted a message to Instagram expressing their disappointment with Marshmello after partnering up with the hip-hop stars.

“We are really upset, confused and disappointed by Marshmello’s choice to work with Tyga and Chris Brown,” wrote the group last Thursday.

Both musicians have been accused of sexual misconduct on numerous occasions.

“We like and respect Mello as a person, but working with people who are predators and abusers enables, excuses and ultimately tacitly endorses that behaviour. That is not something we can or will stand behind,” the band continued.

Story continues below advertisement

Shortly after, Brown leaped to defend himself by replying to the post with a lengthy comment comparing the band’s success to his own.

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

“Bunch of losers,” he began. “These are the type of people I wish walked in front of a speeding bus full of mental patients.”

Chris Brown performs onstage at Something in the Water, Day 3 on April 28, 2019 in Virginia Beach City. Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Something in the Water

READ MORE: ‘Surviving R. Kelly’ followup special coming to Lifetime

“Keep groveling over you own insecurities and hatred,” he added. “Im black and proud. And I know its [sic] hurts that u guys are struggling wit life or peace so u are forced to see my success.
Story continues below advertisement

“You aren’t even #2 (remember, 2nd place only means you lost first),” he wrote. “Ta-ta. Goodday, peasants.”

Tyga, 29, also responded.

“Where [sic] all God’s children,” he wrote. “Everyone makes mistakes. No one’s perfect. Let’s keep the energy positive.”

The energy was not kept positive, however — at least for Chrvches’ leading lady, Lauren Mayberry.

Mayberry, 31, was targeted online by a large number of Brown’s fans. She later posted a number of screenshots of verbally abusive messages she had received through Instagram.

“Learn to keep Chris Brown’s name out of your gutter trailer trash a** mouth, stupid racist white b***h,” read a portion of one of the hateful messages.

“The last ‘b***h’ really helped get the point across,” Mayberry wrote sarcastically in her screenshot.

“Angry men on the internet can call me all the names they want,” she continued. “I still think domestic abuse is wrong. Peace out, internet. Tomorrow is a brand-new day.”

Lauren Mayberry of Chvrches performs during the 2019 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 21, 2019 in Indio, Calif. Timothy Norris/Getty Images for Coachella

READ MORE: Britney Spears posts message to fans amid mental health rumours

As a result of his collaboration with Brown and Tyga, Marshmello is under fire from thousands of his dedicated fans over social media.

Story continues below advertisement

Many of those individuals have also defended Chvrches, ultimately questioning why the DJ would choose to work with alleged abusers.

Here’s what some Twitter users had to say:

Story continues below advertisement

Story continues below advertisement

https://twitter.com/pavlito_/status/1122880114306498560

https://twitter.com/Sacredsleepedm/status/1122885926118510592

As of this writing, Marshmello has responded to neither Chvrches’ comments nor the mass influx of online criticism.

WATCH: Singer Chris Brown reportedly arrested in Paris on rape allegations

Click to play video: 'Singer Chris Brown reportedly arrested in Paris on rape allegations'
Singer Chris Brown reportedly arrested in Paris on rape allegations

READ MORE: Chris Brown plans to sue rape accuser for slander, says his lawyer

In the last decade, both Brown and Tyga have been faced with a series of sexual abuse allegations and subsequent legal issues.

Story continues below advertisement

Brown has been in repeated legal trouble since pleading guilty to the felony assault in 2009 of his then-girlfriend Rihanna. He completed his probation in that case in 2015 but has continued to have run-ins with police.

Most recently, Brown was accused of raping a woman in January. He was detained with two other associates in Paris. He later revealed that he was planning to sue the 29-year-old accuser for slander.

adam.wallis@globalnews.ca

Sponsored content

AdChoices