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“font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;”>Assumptions aside, it would be anyone’s guess what was to be served up when the hottest ticket in hip hop hit the STL on Sunday night.
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“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Based on the fact that the audience was barely getting settled in as Mix Master Mike and Travis Barker summed up their set of a hip-hop/rock fusion, it was apparent who the crowd came to see.
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“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Three of the hottest rap acts shared the bill with headliner Lil’ Wayne for the sold-out stop of the I Am Still Music tour at Scottrade Center. But when the dust settled and the final microphone dropped, Wayne would rightfully be the last man standing and illustrate his hold on the rap game with respect to his current competition.
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“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Heavyweight Miami rapper Rick Ross was first on deck. Somewhere between the shameless promotion and underwhelming performance he lost fans and failed to capture the much broader audience base that attended the show.
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“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>His radio hits “BMF,” “Aston Martin Music,” and “Biggest Boss” were performed with assisting vocal tracks and a low energy hype man.
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“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Many have pointed to Ross as a Notorious B.I.G. – In Training, but Ross is more along the lines of Heavy D, but with less onstage charisma.
“mso-spacerun: yes;”> that while Heavy D milked his ‘overweight lover’ gimmick, Ross is attempting to capitalize on chronicles from his alleged former lifestyle as a cocaine kingpin.
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“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Biggie created color and flavor with his words, where as Ross proved to not measure up with his flat and commercialized rhyme style.
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“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Though she literally popped up midway through Wayne’s set, Minaj was also a disappointing sideshow during a concert where Wayne owned the night.
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“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>A product of Wayne’s Young Money team, Minaj stands by default as the leading lady in hip-hop. Through countless guest verses on some of the hottest acts in hip-hop in R&B and a successful mix-tape, Minaj took the industry by storm – which led to the monstrous success of her platinum selling debut
“mso-bidi-font-style: normal;”>Pink Friday
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“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Though undeniably talented as an MC, the gimmick of her act – vocal ticks and over the top costumes – often overshadow Minaj’s ability.
“mso-spacerun: yes;”> force to be reckoned with on a track, her tendency of failing to live up to the song during live performances also precedes her.
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“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Minaj would be true to form in all respects (good and bad) when she took the stage. A pink slanted afro wig and form-fitting neon bodysuit distracted fans from the flow of her dis track aimed at her former mentor and present nemesis Lil Kim. And the drama continued as she aimlessly scooted across the stage alongside her backup dancers. Fans seemed thrilled as she bounced back and forth between verses from her debut album and guest appearances including “Bottoms Up,” “Super Bass,” “Number 2” and others. But she ultimately proved to be much more flash than an actual formidable talent.
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“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Unlike his opening entertainment, headliner Lil Wayne came out with the hunger of a fresh faced MC aching to leave an impression.
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“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Backed by an all black rock band Wayne came hard at hello with a guitar and drum flooded rendition of “I’m Goin’ In” dressed in camouflage pants, a white tee and a St. Louis Cardinals ball cap.
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“mso-spacerun: yes;”> had seen him since just before he entered Riker’s Island to serve a year-long sentence on gun charges.
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“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Upon his release, he hit the ground running –back into a rap game where the only person to take advantage of Wayne’s absence was Young Money member Drake (who was noticeably absent from the line up).
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“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Thanks to an endless list of stockpiled guest verses Wayne was far from invisible during his incarceration. Thanks to the tour fans would get to hear them live for the first time. The only downside would be that those guest verses would seem to be the meat of Wayne’s show.
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“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Because he offered far too much attention to the special appearances (especially a medley of Drake hits) a huge helping of classic Lil’ Wayne was missing in action. Songs like “Fire Man” and “Stunting Like My Daddy” were left by the wayside and there was a sorely missed opportunity to take advantage of Ross’ presence on the tour with a performance of “John.”
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“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Another downside of the show was when the record executive in Wayne reared its head in the middle of his set as he stepped aside to allow Young Money artists the spotlight for a segment of songs.
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“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Singer Shenell’s two song presentation was especially mix-matched as she quick changed from standard singer to sexpot – which was met by a room temperature reaction by the audience.
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“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Despite the hiccups, Wayne’s heart was immersed in the experience of returning to the stage and a fellowship opportunity with his extremely diverse fan base.
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“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“Three things about me,” Wayne said to fans as he opened and closed the show. “Number one: I believe in God. Number two:
“mso-spacerun: yes;”> Number three: I ain’t [expletive] without you.”
