In 1994, Whitney Houston performed three concerts in South Africa, including Durban at Kings Park Stadium on November 8, Johannesburg on November 12, and Cape Town on November 19. Like many times previously in her career, Houston made history. At the time, she became the first major Western recording artist to perform in the newly unified, post-apartheid nation following President Nelson Mandela’s historic election win, performing to more than 200,000 attendees by the end of the series. The shows represented a celebration of freedom, hope, and unity. Portions of the proceeds from her concerts benefited numerous local South African children’s charities through her foundation. 

The Johannesburg concert aired in an HBO special, with millions tuning in. For the first time, fans will see the Durban show in Houston’s first-ever concert film remastered in 4K with remastered audio in select cinemas worldwide and in more than 30 countries on October 23 and 27. To continue the celebration, the icon’s first-ever live album, Whitney Houston: The Concert for a New South Africa (Durban), will be released on Friday, November 8, to honor the 30th Anniversary of her historic visit to South Africa.

The new live album features music from the concert, including her greatest hits, “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me),” “How Will I Know,” “I Have Nothing,” “Greatest Love of All,” “I Will Always Love You,” and other landmark classics including “Amazing Grace,” and her rendition of Charlie Smalls’ “Home” from the Broadway musical, The Wiz. Slightly different track listings will also be available on CD, vinyl, and digital for the first time. Also included in the CD and digital collection is the first-ever release of the studio recording, “Love Is,” along with a merchandise line that can be purchased online at the Whitney Houston Boutique. 

“This album will remind, not just her core fans, but music lovers worldwide of Whitney’s virtuosity as a recording artist.I’m sure her fans will love and appreciate the live iteration of her hit classics,” says Pat Houston, the executor of The Estate of Whitney E. Houston. “The fans have been waiting on this project for more than a decade and they certainly have expressed and made their sentiments known.”

Houston’s longtime musical director and friend, Rickey Minor, worked closely with the singer on the concert series. In an interview with BET, he remembered how emotional the show was and revealed why he believes it’s the best live performance of her career.

BET: You worked as Whitney Houston’s musical director for many years. Tell us about the preparation for the three South Africa shows. 

RICKEY MINOR: When we got the call, we had already been on tour. Once we said yes, someone in an interview in New York asked me: ‘How does this thing work with you and Whitney? Who gets the final say on song selection and things of that sort?’

Whitney and I, we discussed everything and we always shared ideas. Whoever had the final say varied. We didn’t always agree on everything, but that’s any working relationship. And we had a really great friendship that was built on respect first, and love and kindness. So our voices were always heard when we collaborated. 

And for this specific project, we both had the same goal in mind: This wasn't just a concert for entertainment, but there was a message that needed to go to the world. And that's where our focus was. So that’s how we chose the run of the show. 

When we talked about the show’s opening, I suggested that we start with “Love’s in Need of Love Today” by Stevie Wonder. What better song to start anything that brings us all together? And especially the end of apartheid and the world needing love. She and I were both big fans of Take 6, and they were friends of mine. So I called them and spoke to them about starting the song with a pure instrumental before the acapella and having Whitney enter on stage vocally with her walking out. I thought that would be such a statement. 

Everything in the show was tailor made to touch people. There was a song we chose to include called “Touch the World,” by Earth, Wind & Fire. So it was really important for us to have those songs with those messages, sprinkled in with her classics that had important messaging, like “The Greatest Love of All,” and “So Emotional.” 

I think, for me, that performance with Whitney is probably the best performance that I can ever remember of hers. And the one that everyone will see in film and hear live happened to be the first concert we filmed of the series.

We tried not to overthink it, but just do the songs, and pace it nicely. I wanted to give her room to be who she is. I thought it was important to let her sing a gospel song, to let her sing a pop song, a jazz song, a rock song like “Queen of the Night.” I wanted her to embrace all of who she is. Not some of who she is, but all.

BET: What do you remember most about being on stage and being in the moment? Was it as emotional as it feels watching it because of the historical element that's attached to it?  Whitney said several times in the show that she’s traveled around the world, but being in South Africa was home, so it felt different than any other show for her. 

RICKEY MINOR: I'm getting chills right now from head to toe because the vibrations of being on land and knowing what had just happened with the end of apartheid and Nelson Mandela being free…me turning around and seeing Whitney laying her head on Nelson Mandela's shoulder…this was a moment that no one will ever forget, whether they were a part of it, saw it, or were there live.

This is a moment in history. And to be a part is one thing, but to witness it and physically feel it was another. In the concert, we invited kids from Africa to come up and sing with us on the “We Can Touch the World” piece with Whitney’s mother Cissy Houston conducting. 

It’s just really impactful and emotional.

BET: You guys had a professional relationship and also a very close personal friendship. When you watch these moments back, is it difficult for you? Or are you more so proud of what you were able to contribute to, not just her legacy, but history in general?

RICKEY MINOR: Watching the show back recently, I was proud at the end of watching the show. But, the emotions flew out of me. And then, I had to moderate a Q&A afterward. But watching the concert, I shouted loudly at the screen, ‘You better sing!’ I cried and cried and cried. I got up and danced and had a good time. And there were moments when I just saw her face and saw her in that moment, and I was in awe. Because, again, that vocal was just ridiculous, and it's probably, in my opinion, based on what I remember, one of the best vocal performances that she had ever done.

BET: What do you want people to know about her and remember the most about her?

RICKEY MINOR: I hope that people see the hope inside of her, the love that she had, and also realize that none of us are perfect. You have to remember, she’s the daughter of Cissy Houston, who was a legend when Whitney was born. Cissy was renowned, and their family was renowned with Dion Warwick and that legacy was already there. It's a huge shadow, and there's a lot of pressure.

I remember Whitney would always say, ‘They love to build you up just to tear you down.’ She’d say, ‘I can't even scratch my nose without somebody writing something that's so hurtful.’ And to further prove her point, Debbie Allen said in Fame, ‘You want fame? Well, fame costs.’

There's a sacrifice that you make. You’re no longer yourself. You're opening yourself to opinions from people all around the world who don't even know you. And everyone is judging you. So, that's a hard thing.

When we were on tour she had different days where we would all hang out and play softball or for different team events. Her team was called Glitz and Glamour. She had the team name printed on the front. And on the back of her shirt, she had “Can I Be Me?” printed. It sounds simple, but it's not that easy because when you put yourself out there, you have so many people who love you and others who hate you. 

At the core of it all, we all want the same thing. We want a life, a family, friends and we want to enjoy the career that we've chosen with without judgment. That didn't happen to her because there was always judgment. I think if she were alive now, all that would have changed because the world is changing. There would be more grace.

Her impact is so huge. I work with so many artists and they all want to talk Whitney with me. They just want a piece of her. 

At her core, she was funny and silly. She was always joking, pranking, and making silly faces. I used to call her Lucille Ball. One time, we were all actually on a flight with Lucille Ball, and even she realized how hilarious Whitney was. I definitely miss her.

This interview has been condensed for editorial purposes.