For the first time since brutally attacking Rihanna hours before the 2009 Grammy Awards, Chris Brown is no longer under the supervision of court or probation officials. After Superior Court Judge James R. Brandlin officially ended Brown’s felony probation on Friday, the R&B singer went on social media to “thank the Lord” that he can finally put the career-stunting incident behind him.

After a pre-Grammy Awards party in 2009, Brown attacked his then-girlfriend Rihanna in a rented sports car and fled the scene. TMZ posted a photo of Rihanna’s battered face, and Brown turned himself in to the police hours later and was charged with felony assault. According to police’s affidavit, Brown repeatedly punched Rihanna, bit her ear and choked her to the point that she nearly lost consciousness. Brown pleaded guilty to his charge in June, and was required to undergo domestic violence counseling and enter rehab.

While Brandlin initially ordered Brown to stay away from Rihanna, the order was later lifted, and the couple temporarily resumed their relationship. They have collaborated on several songs since the attack, including  “Nobody’s Business” from Rihanna’s last album, 2012’s Grammy-winning Unapologetic. While Rihanna has seemingly forgiven him, the violent incident has continued to affect Brown’s career. He was forced to cancel four performances in 2010 when British officials blocked his entry, and had to cancel two shows in February after Canadian immigration officials blocked his entry as well.

Brown has also struggled legally since 2013, after prosecutors questioned whether he had complied with the terms of his community labor sentence. He made matters worse later that year, when he struck a man outside a Washington hotel and was charged with misdemeanor assault. Brown was ordered into rehab, but was kicked out of the facility for violating its rules and was subsequently sentenced to two-and-a-half months in custody. U.S. marshals had to shuttle him between Los Angeles and Washington D.C. for court hearings.

After Brandlin revealed his decision to lift Brown’s probation, Brown and his attorney Mark Geragos stood up and hugged in the courtroom.

“I couldn’t be more delighted,” said Geragos after the hearing. “He is in a spot right now and a place right now that I couldn’t be prouder of him.”

Brown immediately went on Twitter to tell his fans the exciting news, tweeting, “IM OFF PROBATION!!!!!!!! Thank the Lord!!!!!!”