'South Africa. I love you. first show was history so let's make it again ...

9 hours ago

TimesLIVE

Chris Brown's South African performance at FNB Stadium was nothing short of spectacular.

The multi-award-winning US singer and songwriter gave fans an unforgettable two-hour show, despite them having to face numerous challenges to get in.

After taking the stage, Brown took to Instagram to express his gratitude and excitement: “South Africa. I love you. First show was history so let’s make it again,” he wrote.

The night was filled with anticipation as fans faced frustrating delays in entering the venue, with network issues complicating the process.

Nompumelelo Mahlangu, who was seen trying to connect to the network to access tickets to go inside, told TimesLIVE fans were frustrated because they had to wait for more than an hour to access their tickets.

“The service has been disappointing, because we have been standing outside trying to access our tickets. They could have sent us emails because we paid. We can't be standing here because of their network,” she said.

Adding to the discomfort, rain poured down as fans struggled to make their way inside to see the sensational hit maker. But despite the adversity, once inside, the energy was electric.

The crowd's spirits were quickly lifted as local duo Major League DJz took to the stage as the opening act. Their high-energy set, featuring hits like iPlan and Imithandzo, had the crowd swaying in excitement, setting the tone for what was to come.

As the weather cleared up, the stadium erupted when Brown emerged from a rising platform. The loud cheers filled the air, as Brown opened the concert with a track called Angel Number/Ten Toes from his new album 11:11, immediately engaging the audience with his signature style of dance and harmonising.

The stage was a visual masterpiece, with a massive inflatable likeness of Brown, complemented by flashing lights, vibrant projections, and dramatic backdrops that perfectly matched the energy of the music.

The concert was a seamless blend of R&B, hip-hop, and pop hits, with Brown performing chart-toppers like Heat, Beat It, and Yeah 3x. The crowd was drawn in by his smooth vocals and impeccable choreography, as he flawlessly moved through complex dance routines with his backup dancers.

During an interlude, Brown’s DJ, DJ Fresh, kept the energy alive with a selection of South African songs that got the crowd grooving, including Weekend Special, Ricky Rick’s Boss Zonke, AKA's Fela in Versace, and Sister Bethina.

As the concert progressed, Brown treated fans to a throwback performance, dressed in a streetwear-inspired outfit and singing songs from his early career. Classics like Excuse Me Miss, Gimme That and With You had the crowd singing along, turning the stadium into a sea of reminiscence.

In a dramatic twist, Brown was harnessed into the air as he transitioned between stages while singing the song Wall to Wall which had the crowd excited.

Another exciting moment came when Brown showed his growing love for amapiano and Afrobeats. He danced to Tswala Bam, a viral hit by South African producers TitoM and Yuppe, featuring vocals from S.N.E and EeQue. The song had also exploded on TikTok. Adding to the hype was a video of Brown participating in the challenge.

The crowd was ecstatic as Brown continued to explore new sounds, shaking the stadium with his moves to Biri Marung, a popular 2024 amapiano track by Mr Pilato, Ego Slimflow and Tebogo G Mashego, featuring Sje Konka, Focalistic, DJ Maphorisa, Scotts Maphuma and CowBoii.

The excitement hit another high when Nigerian singer Lojay joined Brown on stage to perform Monalisa and Sensational'.

After rocking the crowd for more than two and a half hours, Brown expressed his gratitude: “I haven’t been here in a long time, I have been rocking for two and a half hours.

“You guys are a vibe. I appreciate that. I have been waiting my whole life for this kind of moment, so let’s end it with a bang.”

He then launched into the final song of the night, Forever, which set off a stunning fireworks display as the crowd cheered. The immersive choreography and unforgettable performance left fans in awe.