Chris Brown rocks Mombasa in memorable concert
Visiting American R&B singer, Chris Brown, lived up to expectation during the Mombasa Rocks concert on Saturday night in the coastal city.
Things went down well at the Mombasa Golf Club during an exciting and historic concert that went on to the wee hours of Sunday.
It was a non-stop performance by the pop-star, popularly known as Breezy, who took exactly one hour and 10 minutes to entertain his delighted fans.
His appearance took the about 2, 000 revelers, a big number who came from Mombasa, into exciting moment during one of the biggest entertainment event in Kenya in 2016.
Backed by his two dancers, Brown thrilled the fans in a full energy performance with the crowd responding in kind by picking up songs from where the artiste would ask them to and chanting back “yeah, yeah!” when he asked them if they were having a good time.
Brown gave a memorable performance as he sang the crowd’s favorite tunes, including Zero, Deuces, Don’t Judge Me and Loyal.
MOMBASA ROCKS
For some excited fans, just seeing the American star live was not enough. Some would have preferred mementos of him, even if it meant “picking” it from him.
“I wish I would get his shirt when he throws it to us, or pinching his watch, I would to do it out of love, I love this man. He drives me go crazy,” said Wakesho moments before Brown went on stage.
The event dubbed Mombasa Rocks was organised by Kenyan promoters Wale Wasee and also featured Nigerian star Wizkid who performed for some good 25 minutes before his Tanzanian counterpart, Bongo Flava crooner, Ali Kiba took over and performed for just about about 10 minutes.
Wizkid, also known by his stage name as Star Boy, gave his best tunes among them Caro and Ojuelegba. Before Wizkid took to the stage, Tanzanian Pop sensational artiste, Vanessa Mdee, Ugandan rapper, Navio, and Kenyan rapper, Nazizi also got the opportunity to entertain the crowd.
Wizkid utilised the opportunity well enough and appeared to have overthrown Brown. The Nigerian star performed in the coastal city with a live band during the mega concert.
However, the Mombasa Golf Club grounds did not fill up, while it was also clear that a big percentage of the revelers were youthful fans who had travelled from Nairobi for the lively event.
Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers (KAHC) North Coast chairman, Victor Shitakha said since Friday, most hotels were full to capacity.
BOOSTED BUSINESS
“I can confidently tell you that the concert has really boosted our business. Since Friday we have had many visitors from Nairobi and few of them from Tanzania. All the hotels were full this weekend,” Mr Shitakha, the Tamarind Hotel Manager told the Nation.
Tamarind, English Point Marina where the star artistes were accommodated, Whitesands Beach Resort and Voyager Beach Resort were among those that registered great bookings, he added.
Among those who had travelled from Nairobi were sons and daughters of prominent politicians and artistes including members of the popular Sauti Sol, who did not perform but enjoyed the show with other fans.
Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho was joined at the show by his Tana River counterpart Hussein Dado and Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi.
Media personalities, Jamal Gaddafi, Shaffie Weru and Amina Abdi emceed the grand concert together with Kenyan comedian, Jalang’o.
Security was tight in and around the venue with all roads leading to the Mama Ngina Drive partly blocked.
General Service Unit officers patrolled the venue from inside, outside and the surrounding areas.