Wiz Khalifa, the Grammy nominated self-proclaimed captain of the Taylor Gang, brought heavy bass, bright lights, and a whole lot of smoke to the Hollywood Casino Amphitheater on Tuesday night. For the St. Louis stop, his Good Vibes Only tour starring Sean Paul, Da Baby, and other special guests was exactly what the tour’s name suggests.
Khalifa presents as an easygoing, laidback artist in interviews and on his social media channels. But his stage persona is quite the opposite. It’s as if he saves all of his energy for his performances. He was on brand with his STL return – and provided fans with a high powered show that put different spins on his catalogue of hip hop hits and club bangers.
He came with a full band that featured two guitar players who gave his songs new life. They strummed at lightning speed –and played on opposite sides of the stage. The center was left empty for a solo mic stand, where Khalifa performed most of his set. He casually entered the stage under golden lights. He smoked a joint as he performed “What’s Hannnin,” a song from his new album “Kush + Orange Juice 2.”
Though released in April, his fans were already familiar and rapped along in their shades of green. They only stopped to roll their own joints. He performed more music from his new album before taking it back with “We Dem Boyz.” The crowd went wild when he changed the lyrics to say, “St. Louis girls call me sexy.” He then brought out his boys who danced with oversized inflatable joints before throwing them into the audience.
He performed more music from his new album before taking it back with “We Dem Boyz.” The crowd went wild when he changed the lyrics to say, “St. Louis girls call me sexy.” He then brought out his boys who danced with oversized inflatable joints before throwing them into the audience.
The show slowed down with “Mezmorized,” and Khalifa dipped back into his new album with tracks such as “5 Star” and “Crime Bud and Woman.” The pair of groovy, sensual songs feel like an afternoon cruise. For “Roll Up,” one of the songs that put him on the map – and made him beloved by cannabis connoisseurs around the world. As he performed the track, a screen above displayed a rotating globe with the continents covered in tall marijuana trees.
Khalifa wasted no bars as he delivered a high level performance with no fluff, filler, or frills. His performance was so intense that he sweated through his shirt. He reemerged later in a leather vest that showed off his many tattoos.
His most impressive songs of the night included “The Thrill,” which featured smoke columns and shimmering lights to match the high energy of the song. He performed while his band rocked out behind him. The rock-inspired arrangements gave the songs new life. Fans couldn’t help but dance and rap along – and jump up and down with their hands in the air.
Featured act Da Baby also brought the good vibes. He shocked the audience when he performed several songs from the crowd. The set was in stark contrast to his reputed mean streak with fans. Da Baby fully immersed himself within the audience. He even shook hands and passed the mic off to fans – who stammered over the lyrics in excitement.
He took the stage in red and black striped overalls, oversized to play on the “baby” look. His dancers twerked as he performed “SHAKE SUMN” and “Crybaby” in bedazzled shorts and cropped Cardinal’s t-shirts with a white swim top underneath. They told a story with each song they performed. There was even a theatrical fight scene choreographed for his debut single “Suge.”
Co-headliner Sean Paul brought the island vibes thanks to his chart-topping dancehall hits that seamlessly crossed over into the mainstream. His backup dancers waved the Jamaican flag as they performed in hats that read “Dutty Rock.” Paul was adorned in an icy chain to match as he provided a blast from the past with tracks such as “Get Busy” and “Gimme the Light”. Fans sang along and slowly whined like the islanders of Paul’s native country. As he continued his performance, each song flowed directly into the next – including his features on songs like “Cheap Thrills,” “No Lie” and “Push to Start”. He followed up the featured segment with a series of throwback hits like “Temperature” and “I’m Still in Love With You.” The crowd’s reaction to the songs displayed the timeless nature of his music.
The tour also featured DJ Bonics, Fedd the God, and Chevy Woods, who brought a party that set the tone for the good vibes that followed. They also demonstrated a true appreciation for the St. Louis cohort of the Taylor Gang that continued with the show’s headliners.
Living It content is produced with funding by the ARPA for the Arts grants program in partnership with the Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis and the Community Development Administration.
