The Pageant was bursting at the seams Saturday night as resident rap star Nelly and the St. Lunatics presented a special benefit concert for Vatterott College – who partnered with him for the ex’treme Institute.
Even with the bright signs saying “no more tickets available” plastered across the venue, fans that weren’t lucky enough to secure a ticket still walked inside to plead their case for “any ticket, anywhere…for any price.”
On the inside, the Pageant was the temporary capital of Nellyville as nearly 2,000 fans of all ages waited to see the city’s son perform hits that have earned him the status of one of hip-hop’s greatest selling artist.
The diverse audience also illustrated his status as a certified pop star.
But before Nelly and the ‘Tics took the stage, the audience would get a taste of pop courtesy of internet sensations turned radio stars Karmin.
The duo made a name for themselves through live remakes of popular radio hits and became an overnight sensation when their version of Chris Brown’s remix of “Look at Me Now” went viral and garnered nearly 90 million views.
There videos are more entertaining than their effort as opening act for Nelly at the Pageant, but they kept fans engaged throughout the course of the show through selections such as “Hello” and “Acapella.”
The pared down, intimate offerings of Karmin’s videos may have suited them better in live performance than their rock star extreme makeover, but the audience were generous enough with applause and interaction – especially for their “Brokenhearted” finale.
But when Nelly, Murphy Lee, City Spud, Kyjuan and Ali it was clear who the audience came to see.
And they lived up to most expectations with a show that catered to the pop audience.
Nelly’s energy and confidence on stage was reminiscent of LL Cool J as he delivered the hits that have made him a St. Louis music icon – and it was easy to see why the world followed suit.
Abbreviated and full length versions of “EI,” “Ride Wit Me,” “Batter Up,” “Air Force Ones” and “Body On Me” were in the mix of the 70 minute set.
Also included were features from Murphy Lee and Ali with “What Tha Hook Gone Be,” “My Shoes” and “Breathe In, Breathe Out” respectively along with an introduction of the freshman class of STL hip-hop by way of JGE and Yak Boy Fresh.
Nelly managed to give the audience taste of what they can expect when his new album “M.O.” hits the streets on September 30 as well by way of “Get Like Me” (which features Nicki Minaj) and “100K”.
And by the time he closed the show with “Just A Dream” Nelly had taken audiences on a ride through a host of genres by way of his musical catalog – pop, hip-hop, R&B and country.
