The night before Valentine’s Day, fans packed Chaifetz Arena expecting a smooth, romantic ride through the Valentine’s Mixtape Tour — headlined by Ashanti and supported by Trey Songz, Boosie, Lloyd, Day 26, and more. But by 11:40 p.m., Ashanti still hadn’t taken the stage. Couples trickled out, irritation simmered, and the pacing of the show felt increasingly unpredictable.
Still, St. Louis refused to let the night fall flat — and much of that resilience came from DJ Cuddy and BJ the DJ, who kept the arena alive through every delay, transition, and a couple of missing acts.
In the midst of artist absences and long gaps between performances, the DJs became the backbone of the night. DJ Cuddy’s extended set — well over an hour — turned the arena into a full‑blown party. He blended classic club anthems like “Round of Applause” and “I Think I Love Her” with newer hits such as Big Boogie’s “Pop Out,” Kevin Gates’ “Yonce Freestyle,” and DJ Khaled’s “Every Chance I Get.” At times, the Valentine’s Mixtape felt like a Cuddy takeover, and the crowd welcomed it.
BJ the DJ added humor and nostalgia, joking about how to tell if you’re the “side piece” and leading the arena through sing‑alongs like Michel’le’s “Something in My Heart” and Jodeci’s “Freek’n You.” Their combined energy kept the audience engaged during moments when the show could have easily lost momentum.
The concert began on a high note with Day 26, who stormed the stage in matching black sweatsuits and immediately tapped into early‑2000s R&B nostalgia. “Imma Put It On Her” sent the crowd into a frenzy, and fans found themselves dancing instinctively — even hitting the Nina Pop like they did in high school.
They followed with “Exclusive (No Excuses),” a reminder of their “Making the Band” era, and delivered smooth harmonies on “In My Bed” and “Are We in This Together.” Their performance showed why their talent has outlasted the chaos of the Diddy era.
Next up was Lloyd, who looked as youthful as he did two decades ago. He opened with “Girls Around the World,” bathing the arena in white strobes. Love then filled the air as the crowd sang along to “You”, “Lay It Down” and “BedRock” by Young Money. He picked up the tempo with “Get It Shawty.” His set was polished, warm, and perfectly aligned with the Valentine’s theme.
After Lloyd’s set, the show hit its longest pause. This slot likely belonged to either Plies or K. Michelle, but neither artist appeared. Instead, DJ Cuddy returned to the stage, refusing to let the energy dip. His ability to keep the crowd moving through uncertainty was one of the night’s biggest triumphs.
When Boosie finally emerged — dressed in Valentine’s red leather — the audience was ready. His set was short but explosive, featuring “Wipe Me Down,” “Set It Off,” “Do the Most,” and “Crazy.” His songs weren’t romantic, but they brought the raw mixtape energy the night needed.
Trey Songz shifted the tone back to romance with hot pink lighting and a string of fan favorites: “Can’t Help But Wait,” “Slow Motion,” and “I Invented Sex.” He sang along to a backing track, but it was very clear that his mic was on. His vocals were smooth and clearly live, drawing both men and women into full‑voice sing‑alongs. He kept the momentum going with “Dive In,” “Panty Droppa,” “Say Aah,” and “Bottoms Up,” delivering one of the strongest sets of the night.
Past midnight, Ashanti finally took the stage in thigh‑high boots, a black‑and‑white fur coat, and a sleek ponytail. Her voice was angelic as she performed “Baby,” “I Found It in You,” and “Always on Time.” “Rain On Me,” which has recently gone viral again, had the women in the crowd singing with full emotion.
She closed with “Foolish” and “What’s Love,” then surprised fans by bringing out her husband Nelly. The couple performed “Body On Me,” smiling and dancing together as the arena erupted — a sweet, romantic ending to a night that tested everyone’s patience but ultimately delivered.
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.
