Chris Brown and Usher close Atlanta show together after earlier tension
The R&B Tour's third night in Atlanta featured a joint finale by the two headliners, following reports of a dispute over start times and an awkward stage moment involving a dancer.
By Robert Ward ·
Chris Brown and Usher ended the third night of The R&B Tour in Atlanta on November 8 with a joint performance of New Flame. The duet capped a show that included a long list of guest appearances and appeared to settle rumors of a falling out between the two artists earlier in the week.
The five-night Atlanta run began with a reported verbal disagreement over the concert start time on the first night. Heavy traffic delayed the arrival of many fans, a common issue for large events in the city. By the second night, the tension seemed visible to some viewers. Clips circulating on social media showed the singers performing Back to Sleep from opposite ends of the stage. They also performed their remix of It Depends together.
The third night brought a specific point of contention for some fans. Brown invited dancer Gabrielle Cheyenne on stage to perform Take You Down. Footage obtained by Hollywood Unlocked and Hungry Homegirl showed Cheyenne holding a stripper pole during the song. The moment drew attention because Cheyenne had previously appeared unenthusiastic when Usher brought her on stage during a July stop on the tour. She later said she would have been less stiff if Brown had been the one singing to her.
Brown shared a photo of Cheyenne on his Instagram, and she posted footage of the experience to her stories. Usher has not publicly responded to the moment. Some fans viewed it as a subtle dig, while others saw it as a simple coincidence.
The show featured a lineup of guests including Summer Walker, Keith Sweat, Jeezy, Eric Bellinger, Sexyy Red, Ne-Yo, Lloyd, Tank, and Mario. Usher and Jeezy, both from Georgia, acknowledged the presence of Governor-Elect Keisha Lance Bottoms in the crowd. Usher told the audience they had never seen what was happening in Atlanta before, introducing the newly appointed governor. Jeezy added that Bottoms would make history as the first Black woman governor of the state.
The concert also included a return of Usher's traditional cherry-feeding segment. He invited Patrice McKinney, the girlfriend of Real Housewives of Atlanta star Porsha Williams, to the stage. McKinney fed Usher cherries while dancing, and the two kissed while the song Nice and Slow played. Fans celebrated the moment online, noting the chemistry between the couple.
Brown paid tribute to musical predecessors during his set. He introduced Keith Sweat as one of the Kings of R&B. He then performed a cover of Purple Rain by Prince before moving into his hit Residuals. The visual presentation of the show also referenced Michael Jackson. Usher wore a gold cropped jacket similar to Jackson's military-style outfits, and both artists incorporated white socks and precise footwork into their choreography.
Two shows remain on the Atlanta leg of The R&B Tour. The tour will conclude its current run in the city with these final two performances.
