AceShowbiz - Usher has become the center of attention this week following a turbulent opening night for the highly anticipated joint tour with Chris Brown in Atlanta. The concert, held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, was marked by significant delays, backstage friction, and mixed reactions from fans, making it a hot topic in entertainment circles.

Usher and Chris Brown’s collaborative tour, which expanded to a record five dates in Atlanta alone, was expected to set a new standard for live R&B performances. However, the November 5 show started nearly two and a half hours later than advertised. Though the event was scheduled to kick off at 7:30 p.m., fans had to wait until around 10 p.m. to see the headliners take the stage, with DJ Fresh holding the crowd for nearly two hours prior.

The delay was reportedly tied to backstage disagreements between Usher and Brown. Sources close to the situation revealed that Usher was ready to start the show earlier, while Brown preferred to wait for late-arriving fans stuck in traffic. This disagreement caused tension behind the scenes and contributed to the prolonged wait time, which frustrated many attendees.

Despite the initial issues, Usher and Brown did perform together during the concert, delivering a joint rendition of “Back to Sleep.” Nevertheless, much of the night featured separate sets, with Usher performing hits like “Yeah!,” “U Don’t Have to Call,” and “Love in This Club,” while Brown performed songs including “Yo” and “Say Goodbye,” complete with aerial effects. The division of their performances left some fans feeling the show lacked the synergy expected from two of R&B’s biggest stars.

Adding to the complexity of the night, guest appearances from T.I. and Young Dro during Usher’s set helped energize the crowd, though the overall concert experience was described as rushed and underwhelming by some attendees. Complaints about sound quality and the pacing of the show circulated widely, signaling a disconnect between the artists’ ambitions and the live execution.

The tour, known as the Raymond & Brown R&B experience, kicked off earlier this year and has already sold over two million tickets, generating more than $400 million in gross revenue. The Atlanta dates were highly anticipated, especially as the five-night run broke the previous record held by Beyoncé for most concerts at the venue in a single engagement.

Despite the rocky start, Usher remains a powerhouse in the music world, and the joint tour with Chris Brown continues to draw massive crowds. Fans and industry observers alike will be watching closely to see how the two artists manage the challenges ahead and whether they can deliver the high-energy performances their reputations promise.

As of now, both Usher and Brown have stayed relatively quiet about the backstage issues, with Brown dismissing rumors of conflict as internet speculation. The tour presses on with three more Atlanta shows scheduled, giving both artists the chance to reset expectations and reconnect with their fans in the city they both call home.

This article is based on reporting originally published by Yahoo.