Usher and Chris Brown reportedly argued backstage before their Atlanta concert on Thursday, delaying the show by nearly three hours, according to Hindustan Times.
Sources told “TMZ” that the disagreement stemmed from heavy traffic around the venue, which left many fans arriving late. Brown reportedly wanted the concert to begin as scheduled, while Usher preferred to wait until more audience members had arrived. The two singers allegedly went back and forth over the decision, according to Hindustan Times.
A source told “TMZ” that the pair had been “extremely competitive” throughout their tour, with tensions escalating over what the source described as their egos. Although their differences remain unresolved, sources do not believe the dispute will jeopardise the tour.
The singers began their five-show run at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Thursday. According to “TMZ”, the concert did not begin until around 10pm, roughly two-and-a-half hours behind schedule.
Fans also complained that the R&B stars did not perform any songs together and appeared to cut significant portions of the setlist. Some described the concert as underwhelming, while others called the performances rushed and sought refunds through Ticketmaster.
One fan wrote on X that the concert was “deadass 5/10” and criticised the late start. Another complained that two hours had passed without either singer appearing on stage. A third offered a more positive assessment, writing that the concert was “litt” despite the criticism surrounding it.
The reported clash follows an earlier disagreement in 2023, when Usher allegedly intervened after Brown yelled at Teyana Taylor during Brown’s birthday party, according to “TMZ”.
The Atlanta run is also a milestone for the singers. They are reportedly the first artists to perform five shows at Mercedes-Benz Stadium during a single tour stop, surpassing Beyoncé’s previous record of four shows.
Four performances remain scheduled for Friday, Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday, giving the pair further opportunities to address the reported tensions and respond to audience concerns.
