HALIFAX – The promoter behind a Chris Brown concert in Halifax says he is not surprised to hear there has been a public backlash against the R&B singer’s visit.

Stephen Tobin, owner of Drop Entertainment Group, issued a statement today in response to the controversy over Brown’s concert scheduled for the end of next month.

Tobin says the company does not condone Brown’s past behaviour, but it invited him because of his musical talent and popularity.

He says there are thousands of people in the Maritimes who want to see the Grammy Award-winning musician and if people don’t want to support him, they don’t have to attend his concert.

Brown pleaded guilty to assaulting R&B singer and then-girlfriend Rihanna in 2009.

His upcoming performance has stoked outcry on social media and even from the mayor of Halifax, who told the Halifax Chronicle Herald over the weekend that the idea of someone like Brown performing in the city makes him sick.

Telecom giant Rogers pulled its sponsorship of the concert shortly after learning that Brown was the headliner.