US R&B star Soulja Boy has said Chris Brown should concentrate on saving his relationship with Rihanna following the couple's recent altercation.

The singer, who has toured with both artists, also told Entertainment Weekly that people should not pass judgement on the pair.

Brown was charged with assault following the alleged altercation with Rihanna, which took place in Los Angeles in February.

The singer will find out next month whether he faces jail time over the incident.

Soulja Boy is quoted as telling the US publication: "[Chris] needs to be focused on fixing himself right now and fixing the relationship.

"I don't know what went wrong or what happened exactly, but I couldn't be more shocked. Both of them are my friends, and I wish both of them the best of luck.

“They were really good together, and it is sad that it happened. It came out of nowhere. I would have never seen that coming. It is not like him at all. Not his nature."

Brown lost a number of sponsorship deals following the alleged altercation with Rihanna.

But Soulja Boy said that “only God can judge” the singer.

“None of us know exactly what went down that weekend,” he added.

“Only they know the whole truth, and it will be up to them to decide if they can get straight with it and whether they will want to continue as a couple.

“I can just be there if either of them need me."

(by Jason Gregory)