Chris Brown paid tribute to his longtime musical idol Michael Jackson during his performance at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on Saturday night, August 29, 2026.
The tribute came on what would have been Jackson’s 68th birthday, as Brown took a moment during his set to honor the late King of Pop in front of thousands of fans.
Brown has frequently spoken about Jackson’s influence on his artistry and performance style. During the concert, he paused the show and led the crowd in wishing Jackson a happy birthday, creating one of the night’s most memorable moments.
The tribute took place during the second night of Brown and Usher’s three-night stadium run as part of The R&B Tour, which has brought together two of R&B’s biggest stars for a series of highly anticipated performances.
Jackson’s presence has also been felt throughout the tour. During the opening night in Denver, stage screens featured retrospective footage celebrating Jackson and other legendary artists, including Prince, Marvin Gaye and Luther Vandross.
The tour features individual sets from both Brown and Usher, as well as moments bringing the two performers together on stage. Their joint performances have been among the highlights for fans attending the stadium shows.
Following the final Santa Clara performance on September 1, the tour will continue to Las Vegas, with two shows scheduled at Allegiant Stadium on September 5 and 6.
For Brown, however, the August 29 performance carried an added significance as he used the massive stage to celebrate the legacy of an artist who has played a major role in shaping his career.
