The swag, bling and blah that have become commonplace in the diluted rap element of the urban music scene were nowhere to be found at the Fox Theatre Thursday night as two anti-rap stars teamed up and illustrated true hip-hop in its finest form.
With Wale as the featured guest, J. Cole and his “What Dreams May Come” Tour reminded audience that true talent and substance have the power to trump the clever packaging and industry tactics that have been churning out hip-hop acts at a pace that could rival any assembly line.
Ironically, his guest verse on “No Hands” that would kick off Wale’s set. The guilty pleasure Wacka Flocka Flame radio and club hit also featured Roscoe Dash introduced Wale to the masses thanks to its heavy rotation, but his hour-plus long set proved that there is much more to him than the average rapper – including his peers on that particular track.
He stands alone as a D.C. based rapper in the mainstream hip-hop game. And the signature go-go beats that echo through the music scene of his hometown could be felt both in his rhyme cadence and the live band that was hidden behind his crisp white set.
Although considered to be a relative rookie, Wale is approaching ten years in the hip-hop game – and both his confidence and experience showed on stage as he used his set list to show that he’s not as new to the game as many people assume. He also managed to interweave tributes to hip-hop icons Tupac and Notorious B.I.G. while he presented songs like “Ambition,” “Simple Man,” “Rotation” and “88.”
More than anything though, Wale appeared to be having fun – and constantly reaching out to the audience to establish both an authentic connection and a concert experience that they wouldn’t soon forget.
And through his more popular selections “Lotus Flower Bomb,” “Bad” and his newest hit “Love Hate Thang” his efforts appeared to not be in vain.
He came out to audiovisuals with unclear intentions and a stage emersion that seemed to labor on forever. But within the first line of the first verse, J. Cole proved he had the chops to bounce back when he greeted the audience with a taste of his newest album BORN SINNER by way of “Trouble.”
Heralded by many as the next Jay-Z – including Jay-Z himself – J. Cole has the audacity, confidence and charisma to potentially align him alongside the greats of hip-hop and he proved as much throughout the course of his show.
Cole stood alone – well, aside from a full scale band, backup singers and DJ – and rocked the crowd from start to finish.
Although noticeably more subdued than his tour mate Wale, Cole’s natural talent and precision grabbed the audience and they never wavered.
He was mindful of the intention and power behind the words of his verses – and fans mouthed along to just about every lyric of songs.
With the “What Dreams May Come” Tour, Cole presented the same variety – ranging from thought provoking introspect and personal narrative to the run of the mill club bangers – that embody his four studio albums. “Blow Up,” “Nobody’s Perfect,” “She Knows” were among them.
The show was modestly attended when considering the combined buzz of Wale and Cole – especially the hype that has surrounded Cole since his career went into overdrive after being certified (and mentored) by Jay-Z.
But by the time curtain closed with Cole’s current hits “Crooked Smile and his “Power Trip” finale, even fair weather fans would have been sold on the idea of him being hoisted at the head of hip-hop’s next class of superstars – while simultaneously giving Wale a second look as a major player among the new school of one’s to watch.
