Though they have more than 20 years of hip-hop history between them, Lil Wayne and T.I. relied heavily on their newer music to build the Super Jam 2013 experience.
Known as The America’s Most Wanted Tour in other parts of the nation, last night show brought thousands to the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre Sunday night and showcased the diversity that lies within Dirty South rap music.
The St. Louis leg would serve as a subdued version of Hot 104.1’s popular summer hip-hop concert series – a showcase that usually features about a dozen acts from hip-hop and younger element of the R&B scene since the station’s inception.
2 Chainz was first on deck among the popular names for 2013. And while his reincarnation from relatively unknown member of Playaz Circle to rising rap star makes for an encouraging happily ever after in hip-hop, his performance was perfunctory at best and he proved to be the weakest link of the lineup.
Rapping over pre-recorded voice tracks and no real intention or authentic connection with the fans or his music, 2 Chainz performed selections from his “Based on a TRU Story” solo debut as well as guest verses on some of the most popular rap collaborations and remixes over the past couple of years.
“Beez in Tha Trap,” “They Don’t Even Know it,” “I’m Different,” “No Lie among them.
And while he leaves much to be desired on stage, his ability to create a catchy grandiose and gratuitous club hit was proven indisputable. The entire venue fervently rapped along with him verbatim for just about every song – often supplying more energy and enthusiasm that 2 Chainz himself.
T.I. followed with his “Trap Music” and introduced himself to the audience for the night via “Down Low.” While he gave fans a taste of throwback Tip with “Rubber Band Man” and “You Don’t Know Me,” T.I. made his musical catalogue all about the new school as he worked the stage and inserted random monologues that could be described as hood inspirations, observations and/or message(s) to his haters throughout his more recent hits and guest verses – current Billboard #1 “Blurred Lines” among them.
He possesses the ability to reel the audience in with his unabashed commitment to conveying his music and share in a live exchange of energy in the process – which was made abundantly clear through “Live Your Life” and his “What You Know About That” finale.
After a bit of a delay for his intricate set that included pyrotechnics, fireworks and skateboard ramp headliner Lil Wayne closed out the show and used the performance to remind everyone exactly what has warranted his 15-plus year staying power on the hip-hop scene.
Although his latest showing is much, much more casual than his I Am Music Tour offering –Wayne is a force to be reckoned with on stage…even when he’s being low key. A live band and a bevy of curvaceous background dancers couldn’t distract the audience from having his undivided attention as he ran through his recent hits – which have dominated radio for the nearly a decade.
“Lollipop,” “How to Love,” and “Got Money” were among the standouts among his seemingly endless string of recent hits.
He didn’t have the precision or down to the second calculation that he displayed with previous tours, but his latest visit was still worthwhile.
He also invited T.I. and 2Chainz back to perform on features that they share – including 2 Chainz and his Playaz Circle hip-hip debut “Duffle Bag Boy.”
He seemed to bring the best out in them as they attempted to rise to his performance caliber and energy level.
If there was a downside it would be that Wayne didn’t create enough space for his older material. Arguably the most prolific artist in recent radio, he gave fans a taste of his latest skater boy rap star persona Wayne with his hour-plus set.
Guests who came to hear classics like “Fire Man,” “Go DJ,” “Stunting Like My Daddy” and “Mrs. Officer” would have to settle for a medley mix by Wayne’s resident mix master DJ 45.
But by the time the lights came up after his “No Worries” finale, it was apparent why Lil Wayne has remained relevant while other artists have fallen victim to rap music’s unforgiving attrition rate. He has been able to carve out a career and capitalize on his knack for re-invention – possibly moreso than his wordplay and clever phrasing.
