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Childish Gambino’s “Bando Stone & The New World Tour” Is A Masterclass In Omnidirectional Creativity

September 13, 2024 by newhiphopnews

A plethora of performers nowadays ventures into multiple territories: singing, dancing, acting and the like. A noted majority of those entertainers do so with genuine intention and vigor. That said, execution is what creates the incalculably vast chasm between “good” and “great.”

Donald Glover, just as recognizable by his musical alias Childish Gambino, floats over the previously alluded-to canyon with his eyes closed. Whether it’s rapping on projects such as Because The Internet or belting his soul out over live instrumentation on Awaken, My Love, he executes with an accuracy that puts automation to shame. Throw in a small film role here and there (nothing crazy of course, just playing the iconic Lando Calrissian in Solo: A Star Wars Story), and being one of the masterminds behind the hit television series Atlanta, it’s blatantly obvious that his creativity knows no bounds.

Bino is Back

Artist, Childish Gambino, performing during his "New World Tour" — Image Credit: Shanyah Williams Francis

Donald Glover’s propensity for worldbuilding is absolutely extraordinary on the Bando Stone & The New World Tour. After WILLOW’s rousing opening showcase, rather than treating the audience to silence between the two acts—as is standard (and not necessarily frowned upon)—Gambino began building the futuristic soundscape with auditory mechanical warfare. Glaring lights, intentionally abrasive and jarring, flooded the arena as the seconds ticked closer to his first track. Fitting the ambience that was being cultivated, Gambino appeared in a leather jacket and cybernetically enhanced mask. Ultimately, this was to perform “hearts were meant to fly,” the opening track from Bando Stone And The New World. The lasers, visuals, and environment took on a Daft Punk-esque texture and displayed a near unquestionable fact: Childish Gambino’s last tour will be one to remember.

Gambino’s stacked discography in tow, it was almost impossible to know the direction the setlist would veer into. Tracks like “I. The Worst Guys” were strategically placed between cuts from the recent album, such as “Survive” and “Talk My Shit,” developing early onset audience intensity with a blend of the old and the new. To cap off this introductory segment, Bino exclaimed, “I know that the DMV can really bounce!” while rattling off the menacingly infectious dance track “Got To Be.” With the crowd rowdy and raring to go, Donald Glover had absolutely no intention of pumping the brakes.

Forward-Thinking Futurism Was The Selection for the Evening

Donald Glover — Image Credit: Shanyah Williams Francis

The aforementioned futuristic soundscape was accompanied by an equally advanced visual display. “Please keep your hands away from any lights and lasers, as we’re using a lot of new technology” expressed Glover, leading into a stellar performance of the recently released cut “In The Night.” Chromatic lights and beams flared in tandem with vocal runs, bassline walks, descending drum patterns, and the like. These all-encompassing setpieces were excellently offset with simpler, stripped-down sections—such as when “rapping Gambino” made an appearance for the brash and boastful “Yoshinoya.” As expected of a farewell tour of sorts, tracks from multiple Childish Gambino projects and features paid a visit. Energy-abundant tracks like “To Be Hunted” (from Atavista) and “Witchy” (a feature from KAYTRANADA’s TIMELESS) were paired with hypnotic syncopated flashes, before winding down to reveal a mesmerizing performance of “Steps Beach.”

In a showing as omnidirectional as his illustrious career, Gambino rang off a segment of multi-genre heavy hitters. Understandably, it threw the crowd into a frenzy. “I. Crawl” and “A Place Where Love Goes” served as bookends to this chapter of the show. Consequently, one can imagine the palpable energy in the venue. The Yeat feature on “Cruisin’” was spotlighted by his appearance on the mega-screens. “Feels Like Summer” engendered the lofty and hazy atmosphere expected from the sonics and title. While “Human Sacrifice” felt like the audience was surrendering their inhibitions to the music before the previously noted “A Place Where Love Goes” took things home. The fan-favorite “No Excuses”—a 7-minute, 23-second long expedition through lush vistas and lavish valleys—played as a stellar (and much-needed) intermission.

Childish Gambino’s Catalog Has Classics

Fresh out of the brief reprieve, Donald Glover dove into the track that solidified him as a dynamic powerhouse. The intro track from the critically acclaimed Awaken, My Love album: “Me and Your Mama.” The performance was just as much of a shock to the system as the first listen. Gambino poured every ounce of his musical ability into a masterful showcase of range, mood and passion, before excitedly taking the audience back to some of the simpler Childish Gambino classics.

“Are y’all real fans, though?” started Gambino, before rattling off hit after hit from his extensive discography. The nature of this segment makes it incredibly fun to list what tracks he presented to the audience. It truly displays how much enjoyment one can get from this section of music alone. He performed, in succession: “Do Ya Like,” “This Is America,” “IV. Sweatpants,” “Sober,” “L.E.S.,” “Heartbeat,” “Bonfire,” “Freaks And Geeks,” “III. Telegraph Ave. (“Oakland” by Lloyd),” and “V. 3005.” By this point, the audience was just as vibrant and beaming as the year 3000 luminescence adorning the venue from all directions.

For His Final Act, Donald Glover Sets Childish Gambino Ablaze

Then, the stage took on a silky, fire-orange hue. The lasers and lights dwindled and dimmed, and the buzz from “3005” quieted slowly in anticipation of what’s next. Based on the mood being set, and the tracks the audience was yet to hear, whispers of the track to come were becoming increasingly abundant. In each section, one could hear “Is this…?” or “Is he gonna do…?”

Those inquiries and assumptions were met with the unmistakable sound of 7 kick drum hits. “Redbone” was the next course on the menu, and it more than lived up to expectations. Flames sprouted from the stage as Gambino serenaded the audience with his biggest hit to date—and possibly, ever. The band was captivating in their own right. They had been for the night in its entirety, transporting the audience to spaces only the imagination can reach with the technology we currently have available. Rather than ending the track at its usual stopping point, Gambino gave the song a secondary outro. This came with more swells, more layers, more intention. His falsetto hit its zenith, making for a closing act that will live in the minds and hearts of the audience long after the name Childish Gambino fades happily into retirement.

End Credits

After a brief end credits scene played on the screens, Gambino had only one more question to ask: “Lithonia?” The crowd roared at the word appearing before them, urging on an encore. In what was possibly the most stunning visual of the entire show, Gambino’s shadow sauntered onto the screen, seemingly displaced in an alternate dimension. He returned to the stage to inform the audience all about Cody LeRae’s newfound awareness and discoveries—the most poignant and enlightening of them all being that “Nobody Gives A F**k.”

Though this tour is the end of an incredible career under the moniker Childish Gambino, there is a New World awaiting Donald Glover. One that he’ll terraform as he sees fit. His ability to redefine himself over and over again will now be represented in name. However, there is no telling where Donald Glover will go from here. One thing is for sure, though: Cody LaRae believes nobody gives a f**k, but that couldn’t be less true. We do.

The North American leg of Childish Gambino’s Bando Stone and The New World Tour will continue after a brief health break.

The post Childish Gambino’s “Bando Stone & The New World Tour” Is A Masterclass In Omnidirectional Creativity appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

PartyNextDoor Is Unapologetically Outside This Summer: Concert Review

August 10, 2024 by newhiphopnews

PartyNextDoor has seemingly underestimated his star power over the years; a nonchalant pioneer of our time. His impact is undoubted, as we’ve seen the soundscape of R&B evolve alongside him, whether through the seductive bedroom gems that he unleashed on Soundcloud or bodies of work, like the first three installments of the PND series, that shifted R&B each time through nocturnal soundscapes or island-flavored hits that dominated summers. Or even the diamond and soon-to-be-diamond hits he wrote like Rihanna’s “Work” and DJ Khaled’s “Wild Thoughts.”

His mystique has played into certain narratives, such as those that suggest his role at OVO is to primarily pen Drake’s music. But the reality is that Party earned the luxury of being a reclusive auteur who works on his own time rather than becoming a machine churning out hits, which he’s more than capable of doing. “I get into relationships and then music becomes second,” he told Billboard earlier this year. “I think I’m going to take a break from relationships, a long break, and just get back to making music.”

With the release of P4 earlier this year, PartyNextDoor is sticking to the course. As understated of a project that P4 might be in the grander discourse of 2024 releases, its impact didn’t miss the OVO Stans who patiently waited four years between PartyMobile and his latest album. On Monday, he touched down in Montreal for the first time in eight years for the Sorry I’m Outside tour. It marked the first of two back-to-back sold-out shows at MTelus, a venue with a capacity of 2,300 – an indication that he miscalculated his demand. In fact, by the end of Monday’s show, he acknowledged that he’d book a bigger room for the next time he hits the road… whenever that might be.

PartyNextDoor on stage during Montreal concert on August 5th, 2024. — Photo Credit: Fouad Jreige

With the backing of a keyboardist, guitarist, and drummer, he emerged onto the fog-filled stage from an oval-shaped portal to the subdued DMX sample from his single, “Lose My Mind.” The quartet of dancers that accompanied him, dubbed the Angels Girls, appeared at the fore of the stage as he played the background and breezed through records like “Cheers,” “For Certain,” and the tour’s namesake, “Sorry But I’m Outside.” But without exerting much command of the stage, the crowd ate from the palm of his hands. The Angel Girls get plenty of credit, though. They served as a personification of the muses that inspired his catalog of heartbreak and lust when he serenaded them.

Though the records off of his latest album brought him on tour, the bulk of his fans have been around for over a decade anxiously awaiting the records that catapulted him to this stage in his career. Party’s catalog from 2013 and 2017 secured him a cult-like following, so records from PartyNextDoor 1, including “Break From Toronto” and “Wus Good/Curious,” washed the crowd over with elation as much as his collaborations with Drake, whom he’s reportedly working with currently on a collaborative album. “Wednesday Night Interlude,” for example, served as a mid-show break for the band to shine, while P’s recorded vocals led a karaoke-like portion of the evening. But by the time he re-emerged after the IYRTITL cut, it was like he snapped into a comfort zone that found him gravitating even deeper toward the crowd’s energy.

PND performs with Angel Girls on stage — Photo Credit: Fouad Jreige

The band was the MVP of the evening, amplifying the songs into their anthemic qualities from their original Soundcloud-ready forms, and providing smooth transitions through each song that didn’t allow much of a break and limited the amount of crowd interactions that PartyNextDoor had in the night. Songs like “Loyal” closed out with an electrifying solo and heavily distorted guitar riffs gave “Make It To The Morning” stadium rock-like qualities that shook through the theatre. But, as much as Party’s vocal prowess shone brighter, with or without auto-tune, across his set, the moments where backing tracks played out had mixed effects. In some cases, like “No Chill,” his raw vocals began to clash with the recording and the crowd. In others, it allowed him to dive into different pockets through ad-libs and harmonies that added more depth to the original record.

For day-one PartyNextDoor fans, the Sorry I’m Outside tour marks an appropriate celebration of his career to date and a catalog that’s had a distinct impact in R&B. Perhaps not a groundbreaking trek by any measure, it’s a refreshing one that sees one of the most mysterious figures in R&B finally step into the spotlight and celebrate a catalog that few of his R&B contemporaries could rival. His core fans were treated to several records that never saw the Billboard charts under his name, such as “Persian Rugs” or his reference track for “Work.” Meanwhile, hit records off of P4, Partymobile, and previous albums were given a facelift that matched the exuberant energy of a crowd who used his catalog as a gospel to summer flings and relationship woes.

[Via]

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Chris Brown Sets Crypto.com Arena Ablaze With Unforgettable “11:11” Tour Finale In Los Angeles

August 8, 2024 by newhiphopnews

It felt like L.A. was about to explode into an R&B party when Chris Brown’s 11:11 tour hit the Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday, August 6. As the second-to-last stop on the tour, anticipation filled the air over what Chris Brown might have up his sleeves. For the last two months, social media has been filled with hype-worthy and viral moments from the tour, whether it’s the iconic meet-and-greet photos or some of the stunts he pulled on stage.

From the moment fans gathered inside the area, the energy was high. Breakthrough R&B artists Maeta and Muni Long warmed the crowd up as the opening acts. Following their performance, Chris Brown emerged and delivered a set that satisfied his fans, both old and new. With a setlist consisting of over 40 songs over two hours, Chris Brown certainly delivered on all fronts. He leaped into the classic hits that turned him into a star, as well as recent songs that we’ve had on consistent rotation.

Read More: Chris Brown’s Essential Songs

Chris Brown Made A Grand Entrance

Around the 9 p.m. mark of the night, the lights dimmed and the atmosphere reached a fever pitch when the LED screen behind the stage began its countdown. As the final seconds ticked away, the arena was plunged into darkness. Then, a single, dramatic beam of light illuminated Chris Brown on a raised platform. As the platform descended, he opened with “Angel Numbers / Ten Toes.” Fire and sparks erupted around the stage, and cheers roared throughout the stadium. The audience was clearly captivated from the get-go and all eyes were on Chris to see what was next.

The Four Elements

The concert was thoughtfully segmented into four thematic acts: Fire, Water, Air, and Earth. Each element was specifically crafted to highlight different aspects and songs of Brown’s catalog. This created a cohesive visual experience that left fans guessing which songs would appear in each act. The screen behind the stage projected stunning and immersive visuals that complemented the theme.

The first act, “Fire,” ignited the night with high-energy tracks and fiery visuals. With the crowd—mostly women—screaming their hearts out and backup dancers giving it their all, the energy could quite literally be described as explosive. During this set, he performed songs such as “Heat,” “Party,” “New Flame,” “Ayo,” “Summer Too Hot,” and more.

He Performed On A Floating Platform

Chris brown performs “Wet the Bed” in Los Angeles pic.twitter.com/ihGw3pquVU

— HotNewHipHop (@HotNewHipHop) August 7, 2024

As the concert transitioned into the “Water” act, the energy shifted to something more fluid and moody. The visuals consisted of underwater scenes that contrasted with the fiery visuals of the previous act. He leaned into the more sultry records in his catalog during the “Water” act, including “Liquor,” “Privacy,” “Wrist,” “Wet The Bed,” “Take You Down,” and “Under The Influence.” During this part of the evening, he was suspended mid-air on a floating platform.

Chris and his dancers delivered tight choreography on the circular platform, impressing the audience with his highly sensual moves. In between these acts, DJ Fresh kept the crowd energized with a mix of party classics and some of Chris Brown’s deeper cuts, keeping the crowd moving from start to finish.

The Energy Was High All Night

Accompanying the third act, “Air,” was atmospheric, ethereal visuals and records like “Press Me,” “She Ain’t You,” “No Air,” and “Don’t Judge Me.” This part of the show saw Breezy continuing to hover over the crowd as he was suspended mid-air. Though the majority of the show saw the crowd dancing along to his infectious hits, this set offered the audience a chance to catch their breath before the finale.

Chris concluded with the “Earth” act, which grounded the night with a return to more of his upbeat tracks. For this section, where the visuals became more earth and organic, he reserved some of his biggest hits to date. Songs like “No Guidance,” “Call Me Every Day,” “Sensational,” and “Loyal,” lit the arena up before he concluded with “Grass Ain’t Greener.” For roughly two hours, Chris Brown worked like a machine, maintaining high energy levels without missing a single beat of choreography.

The final act succinctly captured the evolution of his career, paying homage to his roots and celebrating his longevity with recent hits. During the final moments on stage, he took a bow and brought his two daughters, Royalty and Lovely, on stage. The 11:11 tour’s LA stop was undoubtedly a testament to Brown’s artistry, longevity, charisma, and sheer talent. For those fortunate enough to attend, it was a night to remember.

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50 Cent Brings “Final Lap Tour” Lite To Canadian Festival Circuit; Killer Mike Takes It To Church: FEQ Recap

July 8, 2024 by newhiphopnews

At the BET Awards last week, Killer Mike delivered a poignant speech as he accepted the award for Best Rap Album – another triumphant award show night for the Atlanta rapper in 2024. “Technically, I was not supposed to be here,” Killer Mike said about his infamous arrest outside the Grammy Awards earlier this year. That same night, he took home three Grammy Awards for Michael. “I was put in handcuffs, and I was marched out of this building. But I wanna tell you, look at God because I’m back, baby. I’m back.”

His faith in God is at the forefront of his efforts, naturally sprinkling references to his faith across his catalog, whether alongside El-P as Run The Jewels or in his solo catalog. His latest album Michael is an autobiographical body of work that explores his Atlanta roots, both through vigorous levels of rhyming over soulful backdrops and a deep dive into how God brought him through hardships to glory. These Grammy wins and accolades symbolize how he overcame trials and tribulations throughout his life and still surpassed the circumstances that could’ve led him astray. But this message becomes more urgent during his live shows. Accompanied by the Mighty Revival and DJ Trackstar, Killer Mike brought the good folks of Quebec City to a church sermon (albeit, with a bit more cussing and weed smoke).

Michael‘s Victory Lap

As part of his summer 2024 tour dates, he made his way through several Canadian cities in support of his excellent 2023 album, Michael. His performance at Festival D’Été Quebec on Friday night (July 6th) felt like another victory lap in a storied career that has seen him reach incredible heights without compromising his artistic integrity. His stage show brought a distinctly Southern feel that embodied his resilience, tenacity, and faith in a Higher Power. The jewels he dropped weren’t those of solely a rapper but one who delivers his words with the conviction of a pastor.

He admittedly tried to stray from religious reference, though stories about Solomon prefaced the emotionally charged “MAMA” and his mini-speeches in between songs felt like notes of inspiration for those who’ve also felt like their back were against the wall. Still, this was a rap show after all, and songs like “RUN” and “DOWN BY LAW” got the energy right for the remainder of the evening. But, at the core of Killer Mike’s performance was bringing Atlanta to the Canadians. The album cuts got the audience excited, for sure, but hard-hitting bangers including Big Boi’s “Kill Jill” and Bone Crusher’s “Never Scared,” alongside cuts from Run The Jewels and R.A.P Music, kept the crowd’s vibrancy at an all-time high.

Following such a triumphant year so far – even with a few mishaps – Killer Mike’s performance felt like a victory lap for an artist who never played the industry game yet exceeded every expectation set against him. But with a breath of gratitude to his tone, his recent feats and festival performances are a testament to his grind and reaping the fruits of his labor.

The Final Lap Tour Makes Its Way To Quebec City

The greatest measure of an artist’s hit-making prowess is how it translates to crowds outside of their prime demographic, specifically those that don’t even really speak the same language. At le Festival D’Été Quebec in Quebec City (a primarily non-English city), 50 Cent served up a platter of bangers for an hour-and-a-half that affirms his presence as one of hip-hop’s greatest showmen. Following 50 Cent’s epic Final Lap tour in 2023, which saw him celebrate the 20th anniversary of Get Rich Or Die Tryin’, he’s clearly in high demand for the summer festival circuit across the world. As we covered in 2023, the Final Lap tour was undoubtedly the tour of the summer, one that brought hip-hop fans, both old and new together, to witness one of rap’s greats perform his biggest hits; timeless classics that have become a staple in hip-hop and pop catalogs.

50 Cent initially stated the Final Lap tour would be his final haul on the road before focusing on his television and film productions. But, after surpassing over $100M in ticket sales last year (making it one of the highest-grossing hip-hop tours of all time), there are plenty of markets that ha highly sought after in plenty of markets that he didn’t hit last year. Joined by his hypemen, Tony Yayo and Uncle Murda, the G-Unit trifecta delivered a more toned-down version of what they brought across North America last year, likely due to the venue change. Festivals provide ample room for pyrotechnics but the setup didn’t necessarily welcome some of the more theatrical elements, such as the wild t-shirt change that went viral last year and even the complex transitions throughout the set (i.e. popping out from under the stage).

The People Love 50

Nonetheless, his performance in Quebec City is a microcosm of 50 Cent’s global appeal. Though the audience might not be entirely tuned into Power (“Big Rich Town” certainly wasn’t even close to being the highlight of the evening), the epic run as a solo artist and with G-Unit throughout the 2000s formed the baseline of his set that transcended language barriers, further emphasizing the grip he’s had on the world since the release of Get Rich Or Die Tryin’.

“I’m On Some Sh*t” may have felt like a bit of a lackluster opener for this audience, especially since the majority seemed unfamiliar with his mixtape run. But, you could imagine that records like “What Up Gangsta,” “Just A Lil Bit,” and “If I Can’t” had the nearly 80,000+ in attendance singing along word-for-word. But once he started going into the real hit records, from his collaborations with The Game to songs like “Candy Shop,” “In Da Club,” and other definitive songs of the mid-2000s, it further affirmed Fif as one of the culture’s pivotal figure who contributed to hip-hop’s global appeal, from his days bullying his peers on his early mixtapes to outshining each of them once he formally entered the game.

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Summer Smash 2024: 7 Most Memorable Performances Of The Weekend

June 21, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Summer Smash 2024 was an unforgettable weekend jam-packed with explosive performances and lively crowds. Fans got the opportunity to see some of the biggest acts in hip-hop right now and to be exposed to fresh up-and-coming artists. Needless to say, the festival made for some seriously unforgettable and even historic sets. Check out some of our favorites down below.

Chief Keef

Chief Keef’s set needs little to no explanation. It was the first time he performed in his hometown of Chicago in over a decade, and as a result, there was a great deal of hype leading up to the show. Throughout the entire weekend, it felt as though one couldn’t make it 15 minutes without hearing a Chief Keef song, so the bar was certainly set high. The hitmaker managed to strike a solid balance of fresh material and old hits, keeping attendees of all generations more than entertained. His stage presence and energy were infectious, making it one of the most exciting and memorable sets of the fest. It also featured guest appearances from G Herbo, Chief Keef’s eldest daughter, and more.

Flo Milli

Flo Milli at Summer Smash this weekend pic.twitter.com/m5K5A0fdxr

— FloMilliAccess (@FloMilli_Access) June 17, 2024

It’s no secret that Flo Milli has found a great deal of success with her viral hits over the past couple of years, earning herself a fiercely loyal fanbase. Regardless, her set felt like one of the most intimate of the entire weekend. Early on, the femcee started to mingle with the crowd, taking photos, signing autographs, and more. Her fun and energetic stage presence was also unmatched, and she managed to seamlessly breeze through old and new material without losing any steam. As one of the few female artists on the lineup, she clearly had big shoes to fill. Fortunately, she did so without missing a beat.

Ken Carson

Ken Carson managed to rally a strong crowd at Summer Smash, and he definitely didn’t disappoint. The Atlanta-born artist performed some of his biggest hits, sprinkled in a fair amount of new material, and did so with some serious energy. His memorable stage presence was only compounded by his audience’s dedication, making for a fun and impressive set.

Bktherula

Bktherula’s performance on day one of Summer Smash was nothing short of impressive. Her stage presence was explosive, and within minutes, she had the entire crowd wrapped around her finger. The Atlanta-born artist delivered banger after banger, putting both her rapping and singing skills on full display. Attendees certainly didn’t fail to match her energy, making for one of the most fun sets of the weekend.

Lucki

Lucki took the stage on the final day of Summer Smash 2024, and was quickly greeted by a great deal of hometown love. His command of the crowd was a sight to be seen as he rolled through hit after hit. He opened with a couple of tracks from Flawless Like Me, and the moshing was immediate. As he moved through his discography, neither him or the crowd lost any steam. This made for one of the most lively shows of the weekend.

Cactus Jack

Cactus Jack headlined the first day of Summer Smash 2024 and set the tone for the entire weekend with their electric performance. SoFaygo kicked things off, followed by Sheck Wes, Don Toliver, and finally Travis Scott. Having such an impressive lineup of artists grace the stage back-to-back made for an amped crowd, and each of them surely did their part to keep everyone engaged. Again, they managed to seamlessly weave in both old and new material throughout the set, and fittingly closed the show with a fireworks display.

Playboi Carti

Playboi Carti drew a feral crowd at Summer Smash 2024, and understandably so. The hitmaker’s energy was on ten throughout the entire set, and his audience certainly didn’t disappoint. He premiered unreleased music, brought out the rest of his Opium crew, and more. This was perhaps the most lively performance of the whole festival and was only made more memorable by onstage theatrics, pyrotechnics, and more.

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Kendrick Lamar Really Popped Out: The West Coast Is Back On Top

June 20, 2024 by newhiphopnews

It’s officially Juneteenth in Los Angeles, and there was only one place to be: Kendrick Lamar’s show at the Kia Forum. This was Kendrick Lamar’s The Pop Out – Ken & Friends concert, and the Compton native capitalized on the moment by allowing fans across the world to tune in. The show was live-streamed on Prime Video and Amazon Music‘s Twitch Channel, courtesy of pgLang (Kendrick and Dave Free’s media company) and Free Lunch.

Pulling up to the venue in Inglewood, California, it was immediately apparent what fans were waiting for: Kendrick Lamar to perform his viral smash “Not Like Us,” which instantly solidified the victor in the Drake vs. Kendrick beef. When the song dropped toward the end of the show, Kendrick had the entire West Coast lit, screaming in unison, “Ayy, Mustard on the beat ho!”

DJ Mustard’s Los Angeles All-Stars

With “Not Like Us” produced by Mustard himself, it was only right to have him open right before Kendrick. But we didn’t expect the all-star roster of artists he was about to bring out. First up with rookie 310Babii who has the summer smash “Soak City.” Then came LA favorites BLXST, Ty Dolla $ign, Dom Kennedy, Steve Lacy, Tyler The Creator, Roddy Ricch, and YG in that order.

With everyone on a high from YG’s “BPT,” it was finally time for Kendrick to take the stage. The beauty in attending this concert in person is witnessing Kendrick Lamar make history in real time while feeling the camaraderie in the entire stadium. People of all ages and ethnicities were gathered here, all purchasing a ticket to support one the greatest artists to ever do it.

Soon, the impatience kicked in as fans started cheering “O-V-Ho!” There are so many quotable lyrics in “Not Like Us,” and Kendrick made a point to give everyone their money’s worth. He ascended from underneath the stage, emerging from the floor in a squatting pose.

Sometimes You Gotta Pop Out

Kendrick Lamar’s entire “euphoria” performance at #ThePopOut show pic.twitter.com/8KLHwUZ88w

— HotNewHipHop (@HotNewHipHop) June 20, 2024

He kicked off with “Euphoria,” the fiery response to Drake’s “Push Ups” and “Taylor Made Freestyle.” And while the die-hard fans were screaming the lyrics verbatim, a noticeable lyric change may have gone over some people’s heads at first. “Give me Tupac’s ring back and I might give you a little respect,” he rapped, referencing a ring owned by the late great Tupac Shakur that Drake purchased at an auction. Drake confirmed he bought this ring in a social media post before seemingly alluding to the purchase in Travis Scott’s “Meltdown”: “I pull out a million to stare at this shit.”

“I Don’t Do It From The ‘Gram, I Do It For Compton!“

Kendrick Lamar performing “ELEMENT” at #ThePopOut concert pic.twitter.com/lX0bQm8wN9

— HotNewHipHop (@HotNewHipHop) June 20, 2024

When the lights came on, you could finally see Kendrick’s fit: a red hoodie, red cap, jeans, black glasses, and a huge chain around his neck. A few chains actually, with one being a huge cross pendant. Fans speculate this paid homage to Tupac’s iconic red fit at The Source Awards in 1994. It’s the details for us!

Regardless if you’re from L.A. or not, you were proud as f*ck to be in the building tonight. It became even more clear as the Compton star ran through hit records from To Pimp A Butterfly and DAMN. Kendrick proceeded to perform catalog staples like “DNA.”, “Alright,” and “ELEMENT” — in which fans screamed, “I don’t do it for the ‘Gram, I do it for Compton!”

The Long-Awaited Black Hippy Reunion

Kendrick Lamar performs “6:16 in LA” with Ab-Soul on stage at #ThePopOut concert pic.twitter.com/Rxzj5LrYgy

— HotNewHipHop (@HotNewHipHop) June 20, 2024

At this point, it was time for Kendrick to bring out his TDE family. Jay Rock was first up, as fans were reminded of their standout collaboration on “Money Trees.” But it was Jay Rock’s “WIN” that stole the show. Ab-Soul was next, joining Kendrick Lamar on stage to perform “6:16 In L.A.” and giving a shout-out to Carson. ScHoolboy Q followed for “Collard Greens” and “THat Part,” before Black Hippy stuck around on stage to dance along to “King Kunta.” From there, Kendrick led into an arsenal of bangers including “m.A.A.d. city,” “HUMBLE.”, and his explosive verse on Future and Metro Boomin’s “Like That.” There was definitely a moment of wondering: is Future or Metro going to pop out, too?! Especially since Metro was just in Los Angeles for his comic book pop-up less than a week ago.

California Love, For Real

Dr. Dre introducing “not like us” is crazy

— Andrew Barber (@fakeshoredrive) June 20, 2024

And just when you thought it couldn’t get any more lit, Kendrick brought out the one and only Dr. Dre. The moment the piano-laden intro for “Still D.R.E.” begins, the entire Kia Form erupted with cheer as Dr. Dre emerged from the stage’s floor. “You know I had to come back and do this kinda sh*t in my hometown. Especially, one of the greatest to ever did it! Can y’all make some noise for Kendrick f**king Lamar?” Dr. Dre told the crowd. Kendrick then asks the crowd to make noise for Compton, California, before performing “California Love” by Tupac. Iconic is an understatement!

But, my personal favorite part of the show happened right before Dr. Dre was about to leave the stage. The N.W.A legend began making his exit, and Kendrick convinced him to make one last statement to the crowd. Dr. Dre then kneeled down and whispered: “Psst, I see dead people,” before the infectious production of “Not Like Us” dropped. You can’t make this shit up.

“Why you trollin’ like a b**ch? Ain’t you tired?/ Tryna strike a chord and it’s probably A minorrrrr.” Kendrick held this note and did his little dance move in the air, only to run back “Not Like Us” from the top. He ended up playing it a total of seven times for the evening, and we were all here for it.

Popping Out 7 More Times

History was made tonight. Kendrick united all the gangs and hoods in the building, from Bloods to Crips to everything in between. And he made a point to stand on two important values: peace and love. “We done lost a lot of homies to this music shit, lotta homies to the street sh*t,” he said.

The grand finale brought Mustard back on stage to run back “Not Like Us” for the fourth time, before eventually bringing out all the artists in the building. From the new generation to the OGs, K. Dot highlighted the city in the most beautiful way possible. “We’ve been f*cked up since Nipsey died, hold up. We’ve been f*cked up since Kobe died, hold up!”

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Chief Keef’s Explosive Summer Smash Performance Was The Homecoming Fans Were Begging For: Review

June 19, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Tensions were high on the third day of Summer Smash 2024. Ahead of sets from the likes of Waka Flocka Flame, Ken Carson, and, of course, Chief Keef himself, the festival had to be evacuated due to “high winds.” This left eager attendees concerned, angry, and confused — factors perhaps exacerbated by intense heat, a myriad of whichever substances may have allegedly snuck their way in past lovely venue security staff, and a heavy police presence. The looming threat of the whole fest getting shut down for good only made matters more serious for those who had waited all weekend for Chief Keef’s set. Luckily, the gates reopened after roughly an hour of crowds lingering just outside the festival grounds. As fans rushed to reclaim their spots, assess the now-reconfigured lineup, and get back to the action, a collective sense of relief swept the festival grounds.

In just minutes, performances had resumed. Most seemed to have been re-energized by the impromptu intermission, as well as the much-needed temperature drop caused by a brief downpour. Due to the evacuation, each artist’s set had to be pushed back, meaning there were shorter breaks between them. Now-back-to-back performances left little to no opportunity for a lull in the crowd’s energy. However, as the clock struck 9 p.m., Chief Keef was nowhere in sight. After a few minutes, people became antsy, rubber-necking the stage as mumblings of what was taking so long moved through the sea of people. Unfortunately, this would continue for quite some time. Sosa didn’t make it onto the stage until over half an hour after he was scheduled to begin.

Chief Keef Performs In Chicago For The First Time In Over A Decade

Once he finally did make his entrance, he was welcomed by a greeting best described as thunderous. Fans knew they were witnessing history in the making, and after a day plagued by uncertainty, they were grateful that the most eagerly anticipated moment of the weekend was finally underway. This was the first time the drill pioneer performed in his hometown of Chicago in over a decade. It felt like the peak of the tremendous hometown pride on display all weekend. He opened with the intro from his latest release, Almighty So 2, and the crowd went wild. “I’m back motherf*cker,” he declared, marking the start of something no less than explosive.

Chief Keef rolled right into “Treat Myself,” another fan-favorite from his new album, before diving into some older material. This is when things became truly electric. He moved through cuts like “B*tch Where,” “Kay Kay,” and more in a celebration of the decade-plus-long discography that brought him to the top. He even brought out fellow Chicago MC G Herbo for a performance of “Who Run It,” his eldest daughter, and more.

Sosa Comes Home

Chief Keef Returns To Chicago For Summer Smash 2024: Review — Chief Keef performs during the Lyrical Lemonade Summer Smash Festival at SeatGeek Stadium on June 16, 2024 in Bridgeview, Illinois. (Photo by Barry Brecheisen/Getty Images)

Chief Keef took a momentary pause before crashing into “Faneto,” and for obvious reasons, the crowd lit up. This was the first time ever that Chicago fans saw a live rendition of the hit. It was followed by even more classics before the show ended with a fireworks display. Attendees were amped as ever after songs like “Love Sosa” and “I Don’t Like.” Then, the show was cut off. It seemed as though things ended sooner than anyone involved would have liked. It left no time for other major hits, though this was clearly out of Chief Keef’s control. Unfortunately, it managed to dull the shine of the finale and led to some confusion onstage.

This confusion wasn’t exclusive to the finale either, as it was prevalent at other points in the show. For instance, while the crowd swelled with excitement during the intro to “Love Sosa,” Rara ran out to give fans a live version of his infamous rant. In a bizarre turn of events, he was promptly thrown to the ground by security and escorted off the stage. The worrisome mix-up took away from the powerful moment and left some questioning if it could have been avoided. Overall, the performance left little to be desired. Chief Keef and his crew’s energy was on ten, and his historic return certainly lived up to fans’ high expectations.

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Bad Bunny Finally Comes Home & Closes His “Most Wanted” Tour With Stellar Puerto Rican Shows: Review

June 10, 2024 by newhiphopnews

San Juan, Puerto Rico’s José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum had likely never seen as many cowboy hats before the night of Friday, June 7. Dozens of thousands of fans arrived at the first of three sold-out nights hosted by Bad Bunny, officially culminating his “Most Wanted” North American tour. This supported the superstar’s latest album, 2023’s nadie sabe lo que va a pasar mañana, and despite its distinct Western theme, it’s also clear that this is the rollout most overtly dedicated to his home since the X100PRE days, and even that’s a stretch. Sure, he always reps Boricua culture, and that obviously translates swimmingly to the most well-equipped crowd in the world to sing along with him. But PR heard nadie sabe first with a listening party, and culminating its tour by coming back home makes that pride all the more potent.

Furthermore, one of the most viral quotes from this three-night stay at “El Choli” is an accurate assessment: if you’ve seen Bad Bunny perform, but haven’t seen a Puerto Rico show, you haven’t seen him perform at all (speaking selfishly, let’s keep it that way if you’re not Boricua). With an extra hour of runtime compared to his other “Most Wanted” dates, more special guests, and PR-specific embellishments and set-ups, the leader of “La Nueva Religión” went all out… what else is new? This writer’s seen BadBo about six times, from sweaty PR high school homecoming parties in 2016 all the way to headlining Philadelphia’s Made In America festival in 2022. While a lot of what made this San Juan show on June 7 so great is par the course for him, many factors cemented this among his most successful performance runs yet.

Bad Bunny’s Evolution As A Performer

Así arrancó el Most Wanted Tour de Bad Bunny en el Coliseo de Puerto Rico pic.twitter.com/FlbcepvGWR

— NotiCel (@noticel) June 8, 2024

Bad Bunny’s growth behind the mic and amid a spotlit stage paid off in dividends with this “Most Wanted” opening show in Puerto Rico. He hits his high notes more consistently, rips through his verses with more energy, seems entirely self-aware and calm when it comes to his body language and stage awareness, and remained consistently engaged with crowd energies. Sometimes, Benito fell victim to audio syncing and mic volume issues that have plagued previous PR shows. But with each whack at this curveball throughout his career, he’s gotten better at checking himself and mitigating the situation on the spot. Most importantly, the 30-year-old gave the crowd heart-to-heart moments, albeit less than usual. He spoke on his insecurities as a global titan, thanking his day ones (or day zeros, as he often refers to Boricuas), and inspiring and supporting the youth.

Furthermore, Bad Bunny’s stage presence and set-up for this show surely captivated many first-time concert-goers in attendance. Two small stages held most of the action: one was at one extreme of the coliseum, and the other was about two-thirds of the way to the other side, leaving the general admission crowd in the middle. Above them was a massive railway that rotated so that he could walk out and be closer to many different parts of the venue. The Vega Bajeño always ensures maximum engagement across all price points and altitude levels. With fireworks, psychedelic and nimble lighting, multi-faceted choreography with around 20 dancers, Jumbotron visual effects, and live musical performance elements we’ll get to soon, you are just as prone to falling into a trance whether you’re in the front row or “cambiando bombillas” in the nosebleeds.

Benito’s Most Cohesive Setlist

Bad Bunny interpretando “LA SANTA” en su primer show en Puerto Rico pic.twitter.com/JRsiQD3lIl

— DIOS BUNNY (@diosbunnyy) June 8, 2024

Bad Bunny, the madman that he is, ran through 49 songs on June 7 and still missed so many of his biggest hits. But what felt different about this “Most Wanted” tour stop was how deliberate, cohesive, and thematically structured the run of tracks felt. First off, the Philharmonic Orchestra Project, directed by Colombian musician Carlitos Lopez, played the Puerto Rican national anthem and three other pieces before B.B. emerged with “NADIE SABE.” The nadie sabe focus persisted until these classic Latin trap-inspired cuts transitioned into… you guessed it: El Conejo Malo’s classic Latin trap.

Some more nadie sabe records followed, then an acoustic rendition of many of his sadder and more love-centric songs with pianist Tiffany Román, and finally, a collection of his reggaetón bangers and Boricua-pride-themed anthems. A “batucada” (percussive ensemble) walked out onstage and ended the night with a rendition of “El Apagón” alongside Bad Bunny, complete with “cabezudos” and a dancer waving the Puerto Rican flag with a Palestinian one painted on.

Special guests on June 7 included some of PR’s new and old leaders: Young Miko, Mora, Bryant Myers, De La Ghetto, Ñengo Flow, and Arcángel. Yet they didn’t overshadow the significance that this setlist structure offered. Rather than stick to the script and go to this album’s hits, then this one’s, and so on, Bad Bunny outlined a more nuanced and emotionally progressive view of his artistry and its many facets compared to setlists of years past. There were also particularly impressive remixes of certain tracks, such as killer bass and strings on “MR. OCTOBER,” a particularly gorgeous “Si Estuviésemos Juntos” take, and an absolutely nasty and industrial electronic outro for “BATICANO.”

“Ahora Estoy En Mi Prime”

This electric and satisfying setlist was also bolstered by some visual elements, namely two short videos. A compilation of previous concert footage, horseback riding, Boricua views and citizens, and narration from Bad Bunny himself provided a reflection on how he chose to end the “Most Wanted” tour in San Juan, Puerto Rico because this excitement to play at home was what fueled his travels in the rest of North America. This played at the beginning, and another horse-backed clip about halfway through emphasized the loneliness that his fame and status created in him, not just in relation to the wider pop culture and celebrity sphere worldwide, but in PR itself. After all, attendees were notified before the show started that they would probably appear in the concert taping that most Puerto Rican movie theaters played live on Friday and Saturday night.

With so many shows under Benito’s belt, so much global success, and such a proud Puerto Rican identity, it can feel like he’s at a disconnect with his roots, his career, and his personal life no matter what he does. It’s the celebrity machine eating away at the spirit that blew us away with “Tu No Vive Asi,” “Diles,” and many more SoundCloud standards almost a decade ago. But more so than he did overseas, Bad Bunny backed up his impassioned professions of love and gratitude for the archipelago, its people, and his loved ones with a performance worthy of that emotion, perhaps the worthiest on a technical level since his ascent. There’s a well-worn rawness and familiarity to his PR shows that wasn’t lost here, a repetitive but inexplicably special quality that his superstardom should never take for granted.

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Rolling Loud Los Angeles 2024: Five Best Sets Of The Weekend

March 19, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Every year, some of the biggest stars in rap and R&B gather in one place. Over the weekend that place was Los Angeles for the 2024 Rolling Loud LA Festival. With four big-name headliners and dozens of beloved supporting acts, everybody got a taste of something they love during the festival. While everyone goes to music festivals for different artists and different reasons, these were some of the best sets of the weekend that brought both energy and theatricality to the festival stage.

Summer Walker

For a lot of artists, the spectacle is as much a part of the show as anything else. That was definitely the case right out of the gate for Summer’s Saturday Night performance at the GoPuff stage. With an impressive live band and array of backup dancers she made her presence known instantly upon arrival. But unlike some of the weekend’s other most theatrical performances, there was actually substance underneath the flash.

Throughout her set, Walker brushed through numerous fan favorites as well as some of her newest material. Throughout, Walker’s vocals were stunning, consistently soaring above the live instrumentation. Her performance was strong enough to reach the dramatic peaks of some of her most dramatic sonic moments and it made the set an absolute delight.

Future And Metro Boomin

Rolling Loud has a reputation for virality. That often comes from huge moments where the biggest names in hip-hop take an absolutely massive stage to show off their sheer force of star power. The only set of the entire weekend that lived up to that level of grandiosity was the Sunday night headlining slot of Future and Metro Boomin. The two superstars closed out the entire festival with a career-spanning performance that lived up to the promise of Rolling Loud.

Just a few weeks ago the pair confirmed that they have two new albums on the way very soon. Throughout the set, they continually promised that it was going to be some of the best music of the year. From what they performed live, many fans agreed, In particular, when the duo had fellow stars Travis Scott and Playboi Carti join them on stage it made for one of the best and most talked about moments of the entire weekend.

Flo Milli

Saturday night, Flo Milli hit the GoPuff stage in the wake of a major couple of weeks for her. She’s scored one of her biggest hits to date with the single “Never Lose Me,” which just got a new remix featuring SZA and Cardi B. She also just released her new album Fine Ho, Stay her first new project since 2022. All of that gave her plenty of reason to celebrate and flex, which is exactly what she did throughout her set.

She delivered one fan-favorite cut after another spanning her entire career during the 30-minute set. Much like her albums, it was an absolute banger fest. For one song after another Flo Milli routinely got the chance to spit confident bars and hard-hitting catchy refrains. With an audience clearly packed full of die-hard fans the intensity and attitude of the performance was unrivaled for the entire weekend.

YG And Tyga

It’s only fitting that two of California’s finest would deliver one of the best performances of Rolling Loud Los Angeles. YG first appeared on Thursday night alongside Kanye West, Ty Dolla $ign, and a myriad of other guests for the VULTURES listening party. But that was nothing compared to the energy he would bring to his own set on Friday. He’s celebrating the 10th anniversary of his debut album My Krazy Life and kicked off the set with fiery performances of some of the album’s classics.

But the highlight of the show came once the pair went back to back in the second half. They did an impromptu live Verzuz on stage that reminded fans they both have hit after hit. That even included a surprise appearance from Saweetie alongside YG where they tantalized the crowd by flirting on stage. The celebration of two of the West Coast’s finest felt like one of those Rolling Loud moments that fans will talk about for years to come.

Ski Mask The Slump God

One of the most signature elements of Rolling Loud is the raucous crowds. Nearly every year videos of massive mosh pits breaking out with fans going absolutely wild hit the internet and go viral. It’s arguably the hallmark of the entire festival. Yet the only crowd of the weekend that really felt like it lived up to that high bar of intensity was Ski Mask The Slump God. He’s no Rolling Loud novice and you could tell as he seemingly knew exactly what songs to deliver to get the crowd hype.

During the second half of the set, he paid tribute to both XXXTENTACION and Juice Wrld and the crowd chanted along with nearly every word of every song. From the more intimate moments where cell phone lights swayed back and forth to the throttling intensity of songs like “Rip Roach,” Ski Mask’s set was the weekend’s lone moment that felt like it was destined to be the next viral Rolling Loud crowd hype video. Nobody all weekend was in command of the stage and the crowd more than Ski Mask The Slump God.

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Nicki Minaj’s Rolling Loud Headlining Set Brought Plenty Of Frosting But Forgot The Cake

March 18, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Last year, Nicki Minaj made a pretty triumphant return with Pink Friday 2, her first new album in 5 years. The record came on the back of numerous hit singles, most notably the smash hit “Super Freaky Girl.” It also spawned some new beloved hits of its own like “FTCU” and “Everybody.” Unsurprisingly, she followed it up with a tour announcement on the back of the record. But far from just a celebration of Pink Friday 2, the resulting tour has turned out to be a career-long victory lap for one of rap’s premiere hitmakers.

In a similar fashion to mega-tours in 2023 like the Eras and Renaissance tours, Nicki delivered visuals, set pieces, outfits, and set lists that span her entire 15 years of hitmaking. The potential for her to unpack nearly any song she’s ever recorded clicks perfectly with her rabidly devoted fanbase of Barbz. The pink-clad stan army fundamentally change anywhere they arrive in bulk and Rolling Loud was no different. One main stage act after another during the festival’s Friday schedule couldn’t help but notice the seas of pink overtaking the grounds. All of the built and built into a fevered anticipation for Nicki herself to take the stage. While she delivered all of the bells and whistles fans could hope for, it was delivered in an impersonal and over-rehearsed package that felt far more concerned with seeming grand and elaborate than actually putting on a dynamic performance.

Nicki Minaj Takes The Rolling Loud Stage

Rolling Loud Los Angeles was officially the 6th stop on the Pink Friday 2 tour. The set got underway 40 minutes late, though that was the case throughout the weekend-long festival and didn’t necessarily have much to do with Nicki. But she did give fans lucky enough to have cellphone service a QR code to explore her Gag City website while they waited. When it was finally time for her to take the stage, she was preceded by a flashy introduction video. The clip features an animated Nicki in the image of her Chun-Li character gearing up to take the stage.

Videos like that one were played repeatedly throughout the performance. Alongside the numerous shifting stage elements, that meant there was quite a substantial portion of the show where Nicki was entirely absent. In fact, multiple entire songs from the set were played while she was nowhere to be found on stage. The combination of constantly shifting set design and repeated outfit changes gave the impression that they were condensing an entire concert into the compacted festival timeline. While the elaborate presentation was larger than life, it came at the expense of some of the intimacy that makes live music so great in the first place.

Nicki Bounces Between Eras

The jittery pace of the show had a lot to do with the ever-changing design of the set. Nicki brought with her numerous props that helped accentuate her various characters. As she jumped between different eras backup dancers wheeled her on stage in boxes labeled “Chun-Li,” “Barbie,” and “Roman.” Those almost always came with outfit changes. While the looks are often the biggest part of a tour of this caliber, the shortened time span meant that a substantial chunk of her time was spent off-stage changing clothes.

If the recapping sounds repetitive, that’s how it felt. Watching Nicki elaborately redesign the entire stage amid a lengthy outfit change was exciting at first. But as she continued to only unpack shortened versions of one or two songs before redesigning everything again, it lost its shine. It was only after she blew through one era after another that the show finally shed its theatrics and opened up the opportunity for Nicki to be the forceful entertainer she’s always been capable of.

Nicki Minaj Finally Hits Her Stride

Across the final run of songs the show finally slowed down, took a breath, and lived up to everything it was capable of. Shockingly, it took this long into the show for Nicki to address the crowd at all. In fact, it was the first time she actually said anything between songs when she asked the crowd to applaud for themselves. In the lead-up to her sentimental classic “Moment 4 Life,” she gave a speech to the audience about living in the moment and seeking out happiness every day.

For her second to last song, she gave the Barbz in attendance an incredible treat. During a New Year’s performance a few months ago Nicki passed on performing her smash hit “Starships.” She later claimed that she doesn’t perform the song anymore, something that disappointed fans craving to hear it live. That made her surprise performance of the song one of the most special moments of the entire Rolling Loud weekend. Punctuating it by crushing her go-to closer for every tour stop so far “Everybody” ended the set on a massive bright spot despite its frantic start.

Nicki Minaj is a once-in-a-generation performer who has withstood one controversy after another for decades. In moments during her Rolling Loud Headlining Set, she showed exactly why. With bright, fiery, intense performances and a back catalog that can go toe to toe with anybody, Nicki is still an iconoclast. But under the pressure to deliver the grandest moment possible, she turned in a performance that paid more attention to elaborate theatrics than the powerful voice at the center of it all.

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