By 2:15 p.m. on Saturday afternoon (Jun. 13), there was already line that stretched across the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater parking lot for Hot 104.1 FM’s Super Jam 2. Patrons were waiting anxiously for 3 p.m. gate time to enter the urban musical festival that in two short years has already successfully branded itself as the place to be for Hip-hop and R&B during St. Louis’ summer concert season.
When more than 10,000 converged on the venue last year for the inaugural Super Jam to see names like Keyshia Cole, T.I., Murphy Lee along with several local and national artists during an entire day of performances, the event was considered a resounding success.
For take two in 2009, there would be 10,000 sold by 2:30 p.m. – 15,000 plus when the preverbal curtain closed and the tickets had been tallied.
The lineup of performers – well at least headliner Young Jeezy – seemed less than impressive compared to last year. But the “something for everybody” formula for the roster seemed to have struck a chord and brought the masses.
Hot 104.1 DTP Madness winner Joka was first on deck. Soulja Boy and Hurricane Chris followed shortly afterwards. Trey Songz, Day 26, Pleasure P, and Keri Hilson repped for R&B while O.J. Da Juiceman, Yo Gotti, Soulja Boy Tell Em, Hurricane Chris, East St. Louis’ own UnLady Like, STL Mixtape segment (featuring Young Ro, Ludy, Gena and others) Plies, St. Lunatics (the surprise guests) and finally Jeezy provided the hip hop.
Overall the performances were enjoyable and if not – the abbreviated sets (aside from headliners) to accommodate the extensive line-up of artists meant that any given show was over before it officially became annoying.
Trey Songz, Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em, The St. Lunatics appeared to be among the crowd favorites.
But the segment that probably had everyone talking belonged to Plies – whose his extremely graphic lyrics could have easily offended guests with more sensitive ears. The buzz was that he’d be credited with stealing the show, but in actuality it happened in a way that few imagined.
In between his set that transitioned back and forth between raunchy and overtly sexual to hardcore street, he left an unexpected impression by playing Good Samaritan to audience members randomly selected to join him on stage.
The rapper handed out a handful of $100 bills to a male guest and allowed a 14-year-old female fan to where his heavy necklaces covered in bling – even insinuating that they were a gift to her. Whether or not she was allowed to take the two necklaces home is not known, but she definitely left the stage with a priceless experience that she will carry with her for a lifetime.
Among the headliners, Keri Hilson performed a predictable set that has been seen in any of the televised performances. Hilson told the crowd that she was under the weather in the middle of her mostly lip-synced segment that wasn’t terrible – just far from spectacular or fresh.
The St. Lunatics were extremely well received and the “So St. Louis” crowd embraced their homegrown hip-hop heroes – welcoming City Spud (again) on the Super Jam stage with a ” ‘Tics” reunion that included Murphy Lee, Kyjuan, Ali and yes Nelly too in a major way.
By the time Jeezy grabbed the mic to close the show, fans seemed to have already checked out. But he managed to create the illusion of a second wind in the crowd with some of his hits– even if it were a bit forced – as they called it a night after nearly 12 hours of nonstop music.
