Key Takeaways
- Tank said competition and differing creative visions made conflict “bound to” happen between Usher and Chris Brown, but stopped short of confirming reports of an argument.
- TMZ attributed the Atlanta opener’s nearly three-hour delay to a verbal clash, while Brown dismissed the speculation with “Internet 🧢. Don’t fall for it.”
- Tank also cited a three-week tour break for the rocky start and said the issues had improved; night two started on time and featured Usher and Brown performing together.
Tank is weighing in on the reported tension between Usher and Chris Brown that allegedly caused a nearly three-hour delay during the opening night of their Atlanta stadium shows.
In an Instagram reel, the R&B singer was asked about what happened Thursday (Nov. 5) at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, where fans complained about a late start, shortened performances, and the two headliners never sharing the stage.
"You know, we're trying to figure it out," Tank said, admitting that the Atlanta shows had "been eventful, say the least."
Rather than confirming reports of an argument, Tank suggested disagreements are inevitable when two major artists have different visions for their performances.
"In the spirit of competition, in the spirit of trying to be great, in the spirit of everybody having their own ideas of what greatness looks like, how to approach it, all of these things, there is bound to be conflict," he explained. "Once those conversations are had, night two a movie, night three a movie."
Tank, who is part of the tour's supporting lineup alongside Mario and Eric Bellinger, also pointed to the tour's recent three-week break as another reason things didn't go smoothly.
The opening show was "a warm-up and all sorts of things all in one day," Tank said.
Some things "needed to be fixed and I promise you it fixed," he added. "We're in rhythm now."
He also joked about his experience performing in the R&B supergroup TGT alongside Tyrese and Ginuwine.
"I've been in a group before called TGT, easy work," he joked.
Tank's comments come after TMZ reported that a "verbal argument" between Usher and Brown was responsible for delaying Thursday's show.
Sources told the outlet the singers had been "extremely competitive" throughout the tour, with tensions reportedly reaching a breaking point over "egos."
The show was scheduled for 7:30 p.m., but the headliners reportedly didn't appear until around 10 p.m. Both performances were cut short because of the venue's midnight curfew.
Brown appeared to dismiss the speculation on Instagram, writing, "Internet 🧢. Don't fall for it."
Friday's second show started on time, with Usher and Brown performing "Back to Sleep" and the "It Depends" remix together.
Usher also addressed the rumors while speaking to his hometown crowd.
"For everybody that might've thought something, said something… come on, now! I would never not show up for my city! I love you, ATL!"
The pair will close out their record-setting five-show Atlanta run on Nov. 10 and 11.
