Chris Brown & Usher’s Raymond & Brown Tour at MetLife Stadium: 7 Best Moments From Night 1

Due to lingering thunderstorms, the show had a delayed start. But by 9:30, things were underway, and nothing was left to chance. Breezy and Usher rocketed through their dance-laden tracks without a hitch. The myriad of hip-hop guests added a nice touch to the night’s festivities, but truly, it was a night for love, sex and magic. Breezy and Usher’s masterclass in performance explains why they remain pillars of R&B. The showmanship was electric. From Usher’s iconic cherry segment to Brown’s salacious bedroom antics on “Take You Down,” there was never any dead air or room to fret.

This year has been a tough one for Brown. From his legal woes to the lackluster performance of his 12th studio album, Brown, the “Run It” superstar’s resilience has been tested. Still, somehow, he finds solace in his performances. The modern-day alpha male of footwork, Brown’s vocal ability took center stage, allowing his vulnerability to bleed through. Songs like “Don’t Judge Me” and “Residuals” landed harder than usual. Maybe that’s for a reason: Pressure does ultimately make diamonds.

While Confessions is considered the crown jewel in Usher’s catalog, some — like myself — would argue 8701 is the stronger of the two. This year marks the 25th anniversary of his scintillating opus. Highlighted by hits like “U Remind Me,” “U Don’t Have to Call” and “U Got It Bad,” Usher left an indelible mark on R&B with an album drenched in silky vocals, yearning and undeniable pop appeal. He made sure for night one at MetLife to give that 8701 the love and respect it truly deserves.

“When it rains, you gotta find the beauty in it. Understand that life is built on obstacles, but don’t call them that; call them opportunities,” he said.

Breezy and 50’s relationship goes back to the 2010s. When the embattled singer was going through his trials and tribulations, 50 served as an anchor, and the two united on songs like “No Romeo No Juliet” and “I’m the Man.” So, it was no surprise when Chris entered the tri-state area and tagged in the G-Unit commander for a punchy five-minute medley. The brawny polymath swooped onstage with Tony Yayo and Uncle Murda and dished out a Get Rich or Die Tryin’ three-pack of “What Up Gangsta,” “Many Men” and “P.I.M.P.”

In case you missed the memo, nostalgia was the key catalyst of the night. With Ush digging in the crates, he surprised MetLife with a rousing rendition of “Throwback.” The Confessions gem orbited through the stadium with the same pop it had when it dropped in 2004, but for New York and New Jersey, it hit differently once Jadakiss sauntered onstage and delivered his missile of a verse from the song’s remix.

After Usher and Kiss barreled through “Throwback,” the R&B icon gave his rap compatriot the wheel. With the city still on Cloud 9 following the Knicks’ championship run in June, Jadakiss and Fat Joe rallied together to perform “New York” sans Ja Rule. Despite the valiant effort, technical difficulties appeared to hamper Joe’s performance. Still, it was pretty cool seeing Usher enjoy New York’s hip-hop conglomerate of Kiss and Joe during this R&B spectacle.

You don’t fully realize it until you’re in the moment: Chances are we’re probably never going to see this tour again. Seeing Brown and Raymond square up on “Back to Sleep (Remix)” and “New Flame” is gold for any R&B purist. The transitions are swift and succinct, leaving enough room to pause and savor the moment. They were in sync. Usher rolling through “Nice & Slow” before segueing into “It Depends” was a Mike Tyson-caliber haymaker. Whoever put together the setlist deserves a raise.