Chris Brown, Usher reportedly in skirmish at Mayweather’s skate center
A reported rift at an off-Strip rollerskating club did not prevent a pair of R&B superstars from performing at Saturday’s Lovers & Friends festival at Las Vegas Festival Grounds.
Chris Brown and Usher were reportedly involved in a physical altercation at the east Las Vegas skating complex owned by boxing great Floyd Mayweather on Friday night.
Both performers appeared, as scheduled and with no direct mention of the incident, at Saturday’s show. But Brown was shown on social media posts in shouting match backstage with unidentified individuals during Missy Elliott’s event-closing set.
Looking good @usher @lvrsnfrndsfest #RJNow @reviewjournal pic.twitter.com/Vi8cp6qLcY
— John Katsilometes (@johnnykats) May 7, 2023
Of the episode Saturday, Brown posted on Instagram he was actually breaking up a confrontation: “It was mad people backstage and security was trying to clear everyone off the stage. People started pushing back.. I INTERVENED To let them know MY CHILD WAS BACK THERE. So y’all can keep ya narrative.”
TMZ originally posted a screen grab of that comment, which appears to have been taken down Monday morning.
The incident between Brown and Usher, two longtime friends, reportedly unfolded late Friday night/early Saturday during Brown’s 34th birthday party at Skate Rock City recreation complex on Boulder Highway.
Media reports indicated Brown was attempting to strike up a conversation with recording artist Teyana Taylor, seated on a bench outside the rink.
The two have been friends, but reportedly were at odds over Brown’s shelved Michael Jackson tribute, which had been planned for the 2022 American Music Awards. Brown had blamed Taylor for the cancellation, and was confronting her about that outcome.
WATCH: Chris Brown denies he caused THIS second confrontation and says he was actually breaking it up 👀 https://t.co/juZPAf6Q72 pic.twitter.com/tdDRisWIq6
— TMZ (@TMZ) May 8, 2023
Usher apparently interceded, arguing with Brown, and the two men left the center to an area behind their respective buses. Some reports indicated Usher came out of the incident with a bloody face, possibly after being jumped by Brown’s entourage. But Usher seemed unmarked Saturday, he posted a video on Instagram before his appearance showing he was fit to take the stage. As usual, he put on a torrid performance.
Brown made no mention of the previous night’s events, and also performed a high-energy set.
Brown has been headliner at Drai’s Nightclub at the Cromwell, performing most recently last June. Usher is currently booked for an extended engagement at Dolby Live at Park MGM. His “My Way” residency returns June 16, and he routinely sells out.
About 60,000 fans attended the daylong festival. The weather was cool even as some artists showed heated tempers the night before.
Brown opened his set at 6:25 p.m. wearing a white dress shirt, T-shirt and black ball cap with an inverted L.A. Dodgers logo.
Usher, the event’s host, started about 8:25 p.m. (the event was about 46 minutes behind schedule) following Brown and 50 Cent on the Friends stage, which along with the Lovers stage was the main festival platform. A total of four stages were in play for the show.
He’s here: @chrisbrown @lvrsnfrndsfest …. #RJNow @reviewjournal pic.twitter.com/MmQCOqtobr
— John Katsilometes (@johnnykats) May 7, 2023
Usher wore shades to start and performed his characteristically dance-heavy set. He did not look like a guy why had been in a skating-center dust-up the night before.
In what could have been a cryptic reference to Brown, Usher said late in his set, “We all go through some (stuff), but if you keep doing the same thing over and over, you’re the fool.”
Brown has an extensive history of legal and relationship issues.
The event also featured such industry heavyweights as Elliott, Christina Aguilera, Mariah Carey, Pitbull, Miguel, Nelly and Boyz II Men. Aguilera stormed through “Lady Marmalade” in a reunion with Lil’ Kim.
Aguilera was backed by Boyz II Men” on “One Sweet Day,” Usher collaborated with Muni Long on “Hrs & Hrs,” and Jermaine Dupri and a baby-bump-bearing Da Brat stormed through “The Party Continues” among many festival highlights.
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. His “PodKats!” podcast can be found at reviewjournal.com/podcasts. Contact him at jkatsilometes@reviewjournal.com. Follow @johnnykats on Twitter, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.
