‘I had to be here tonight’: Jussie Smollett performs in concert

Actor and R&B singer Jussie Smollett appeared at a planned performance on Saturday night, just days after reportedly being attacked in Chicago.

Appearing onstage at the Troubadour in West Hollywood, Smollett told the crowd of about 400: “I had to be here tonight, y’all. I couldn’t let those [expletives] win,” according to The Associated Press.

Chicago police announced Wednesday that they are investigating a “possible hate crime” against Smollett after the “Empire” star reported being attacked by two men who he says shouted racist and homophobic slurs at him, put a rope around his neck and poured a chemical substance on him.

{mosads}The AP reported that Smollett’s friends and family urged him not to perform Saturday evening, but the actor was determined, telling his fans: “The most important thing I can say is ’thank you so much, and I’m OK.’”

“I will always stand for love,” he said. “I will only stand for love.”

Police have released surveillance footage of “potential persons of interest” in the incident. The actor released a statement Friday saying he has been “100% truthful” with law enforcement authorities after police said he refused to turn over phone records from around the time of the attack.

Smollett spoke briefly about the attack near the end of his performance, jokingly calling himself “the gay Tupac” in saying that he fought his attackers, according to the AP.

“I’m not fully healed yet,” Smollett said, the news service added. “But I’m going to be, and I’m gonna stand strong with y’all.”