American R&B superstar Chris Brown’s recent, history-making performances at Johannesburg’s FNB Stadium have left a lasting impression, not only on the thousands who attended but also on those who contributed to the electrifying atmosphere.
One such individual, US-based DJ Fresh, who kept the crowds entertained between sets during the two-day concert, has already expressed his desire to return to South Africa, and even hinted at future collaborations.
During the breaks between Chris Brown's sets, DJ Fresh expertly blended South African hits into the mix, keeping the energy high. His playlist included crowd-pleasing tracks like Mgarimbe’s “Sister Bethina,” Riky Rick’s “Boss Zonke,” and Brenda Fassie’s “Weekend Special,” demonstrating his understanding and appreciation of local music. This strategic inclusion of familiar tunes undoubtedly enhanced the overall concert experience for the South African audience.
Following the successful shows, DJ Fresh took to social media to announce his connection with prominent South African hip-hop artist Cassper Nyovest.
“South Africa it just got bigger I just connected with the legend Cassper Nyovest,” he wrote.
This post, however, sparked some online debate, with some questioning his choice of words and the selection of Nyovest for this particular shout-out. The reasons behind the choice remain a topic of discussion among fans.
Expanding on his future plans, DJ Fresh outlined his vision for a future South African event. “I wanna do a R&B party when I come back to South Africa. And we include amapiano promoters, let us set it up. We can call it AMP-N-B. Get the best in amapiano and I will do the R&B, Make it big. Just show y’all how I really get down,” he elaborated, suggesting a unique blend of R&B and amapiano, two popular genres in South Africa.
This ambitious project hints at a potential return for DJ Fresh, bringing his expertise and international flair to the South African music scene.
Cassper Nyovest, a highly influential figure in the South African hip-hop scene, also shared his thoughts on Chris Brown's performances, expressing his admiration for the international star's success.
On X (formerly Twitter), Nyovest wrote: “I do not remember the last time there was such a hype about an artist or a concert in South Africa for a long time. Chris Brown is a star and the catalogue is just second to none. So inspiring to see what hard work and perseverance can build. Wow! Amazing!”
Nyovest’s comments highlight the impact Chris Brown had on the South African entertainment industry, drawing parallels to his own ambitious concert at the same venue.
In December 2017, Nyovest attempted to fill the FNB Stadium with his own concert, a significant undertaking for a South African hip-hop artist. He came remarkably close, selling almost 68,000 tickets, creating a record-breaking event at the time.
Nyovest’s achievement underscores the scale of Chris Brown’s feat, selling out the stadium, and further emphasises the magnitude of the international star's success in South Africa. The comparison highlights the growing influence of international artists on the South African music landscape and the ambition of local artists to reach similar levels of success.
