Chris Brown U.S superstar Chris Brown performed at FNB Stadium, in Johannesburg to a crowd of over 90 000 people.
Image: Big Concerts/X
International music star, Chris Brown, performed to a crowd of over 90,000 on night one of his sold-out concert in Johannesburg.
On Saturday, Breezy gave concertgoers an unforgettable night celebrating his legacy, as a musician who many grew up listening to and one who influenced their lives.
His first time back in South Africa, Breezy went all the way out for his performance, even the rain behaved and let him have his moment to perform for a mesmerising two-and-a-half hours.
Breezy in Johannesburg was not only attended by South Africans or people living in Johannesburg, but this was an African affair with people flying in just to see the legend performing live on African soil.
Brown gave a performance worthy of placing him in the musical history books.
He took his screaming and cheering fans on a journey, reminiscing from the days of 2002 when he was just a pretty boy and the evolution of the artist at the centre.
With a discography spanning two decades, there was plenty of music to choose from but the musician prepared a set list that celebrated his journey.
He included songs “Angel Numbers / Ten Toes”, “Anxiety”, “Heat”, “No Air", "Don't judge me", "Ayo" and " Back to Sleep".
Brown danced his most famous moves and gave his all for the entire performance, even throwing in an aerial stunt as he performed “Wall to Wall”.
The crowd didn't disappoint singing loudly and boldly along.
FNB Stadium was filled with roaring screams as fans cheered the multi-award-winning musician on.
From his 18-dance member crew to the stage design, lighting and visuals, Brown and his team thought of everything to give a world-class performance.
Breezy, being the superstar that he is, had four outfit changes and each one paid homage to the different chapters of his career, from the basketball t-shirts and bagging jeans, he even rocked the merchandise that was being sold at the concert.
Brown gave his absolute all during his performance and even threw out some of the items he was wearing, a jacket, cap and t-shirt to some very lucky fans.
His on-tour Deejay, DJ Fresh added that extra spice to the concert by rocking songs like “Weekend Special” by Brenda Fassie, “Fela In Versace” and “Boss Zonke” paying homage to the late greats AKA and Riky Rick.
Showing just how well-researched this concert was he even added South Africa’s second unofficial national anthem “Sister Bethina”.
Vibrations were felt throughout the stadium with each performance, the crowd sang loudly.
Many are comparing the performance of the level of the Super Bowl halftime show, due to the size of the crowd and production level.
Brown’s concert may have been eagerly anticipated but it wasn't without controversy from the moment it was announced in September. Non-profit organisation Women For Change launched its petition, calling for the cancellation of the Brown concert.
A move that was deemed important, crediting the musician’s long history of abusing women, with the 2009 abuse of Rihanna being the most notable example, and allegations that he raped a woman aboard a yacht, owned by disgraced music mogul, Diddy.
In the two hours and thirty minutes he performed at FNB Stadium, Brown gave it all, he gave his absolute best showing that the performance meant a great deal to him.
He closed the show off with “Forever” which was so fitting, the lyrics matched the magnitude of the performance to his fans and himself.
"I just want to say from the bottom of my heart I love you guys so much. This night means the world to me. I ain't been out here in a long time. I've been rocking for two and a half hours, and y'all just let me rock. I appreciate that."
"I've been waiting my whole life for this kind of moment," he said before breaking into the song.
Breezy gave his fans more than they asked for with his performance; it might just have made any hassle they experienced ahead of his performance worth it, like that technical fault that happened on the Gautrain’s line between Park and Hatfield.
A 30-minute delay due to a technical fault caused a minor snag on my journey to FNB Stadium but once the train arrived and we got to Park, the bus was waiting and the journey to the stadium was a breeze.
Getting to the stadium during the opening act Major League DJz performance at 7pm saw a bit of confusion occur at the various entry points, this is why organisers urge us to come early before the new instructions come in.
After the concert, Gautrain buses were waiting to take concertgoers to the Park station. Big Concerts had promised to beef up security for the concert, especially with the concerns following the 2018 Global Citizen Festival. They sure delivered, blue lights everywhere, and the areas around the stadium and various parking lots were well-lit.
Brown performs at FNB Stadium for his second concert tonight and he might just be joined by his Nigerian collaborator Davido after being joined by “Mona Lisa” hitmaker Lojay.
IOL Entertainment