Wu-Tang & Co. Prove the 90's Never went Out of Style with a Packed Target Center

Target Center was buzzing with excitement on Saturday, October 7 when the ‘N.Y. State of Mind’ tour featuring The Wu-Tang Clan, Nas and De La Soul had finally landed in Minneapolis and hip-hop fans of all ages had made their way downtown for an evening of 90’s nostalgia. Long lines at every gate and more yellow W’s than you could count, the eager fans were truly a sight to behold and their buzz was infectious. It’s not everyday that this many legendary emcees assemble in town, so the excitement was understandable.

De La Soul and their opening set was an unforgettable way to start a night filled with hip-hop classics. Infectious energy abounded and this short but sweet set set the tone for the night. From the moment the group stepped onto the stage, the crowd erupted with excitement. Posdnuos and Maseo brought their A-game, proving that their passion for performing hasn’t waned over the years. The stage setup was simple yet effective, with an LED backdrop that added a visual dimension to the show without distracting from the music. The group was even joined by Talib Kweli for part of the set to help with the performance. It was a show that, in short, reminded us in attendance why De La Soul remain an essential part of the hip-hop landscape and a cherished group for all in the crowd. If you ever have the chance to see them live, do not hesitate as it’s an experience you won’t want to miss.

Nas took the stage at Target Center and what unfolded was a time travel journey back to one of hip-hops golden ages, the 90’s, through its history and up to the current day. The legendary rapper’s concert was a testament to his enduring relevance and lyrical prowess, a real poet, reminding people once again why Nasty Nas is so revered by people both inside and outside the genre. Nas emerged onto the stage with confidence and charisma at a ten, he just looked so happy to be present. His setlist was a curated journey through his prolific career, spanning from his debut album “Illmatic” to his more recent work. The crowd was treated to classics like “N.Y. State of Mind” and “The World Is Yours.” These tracks and Nas’ signature gritty, yet poetic, style transported the audience back to the streets of 90’s New York.

Nas’ performance of tracks from his more recent albums showcased his evolution as an artist, demonstrating his ability to address personal and societal issues with depth and consideration. The length of his discography made connecting with fans of all ages effortless, from those who grew up with his music to younger generations just discovering his excellence.

With a performance primarily focused on his lyrical prowess, the production, visuals and the addition of a live drummer added an extra level to the performance without overshadowing the lyrics. It was just Nas commanding the stage with nothing but a microphone. Nas’ set at Target Center was a stellar performance but also kicked off the celebration of hip-hop and its 50 year anniversary that was a theme throughout the night. A journey through time and a testament to the enduring relevance of a true legend, Nas’ lyrical dexterity, storytelling, and passion for hip-hop left a mark on everyone in attendance. It was a set where you could hear the past, present, and future of hip-hop on full display, reminding everyone in attendance the cultural importance of the genre. 

The saga continued Saturday night as The Wu-Tang Clan brought down the house at the Target Center. Delivering a musical performance that can only be described as legendary, the iconic Wu-Tang Clan stunned old fans and new with unparalleled energy and classic lyricism. The performance left fans in attendance more than satisfied and proved again just why they remain giants of the genre. The Target Center was electric with anticipation as fans born in the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and 00’s rocked their Wu-Tang gear and filed into the venue as the lights dimmed and the stage was set for what would be an absolutely classic night. The Clan emerged one by one, greeted by roaring applause, their presence was commanding and the desire to stun was palpable from the second RZA took to the podium.

The Wu took turns entertaining, with some members periodically leaving the stage to let others shine, but there were plenty of full group moments that really got the crowd excited.  From the opening bars of “Protect Ya Neck,” it was clear that the Wu-Tang Clan had lost none of their lyrical potency over the years. RZA, GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killa, and Cappadonna took turns spitting verses and tracks that cut deep and hit just as hard as the first time you heard them. The show let each member showcase their unique style and charisma and the chemistry and camaraderie between them were evident, reminding everyone exactly why the Wu-Tang Clan ain’t nothin to fuck with. The setlist was a masterful blend of classics and deep cuts, catering to both die-hard fans of both individual members and the Wu as a whole, as well as those just discovering the legendary Wu-Tang. Classics like “C.R.E.A.M,” “Wu-Tang Clan Ain’t Nuthing ta F’ Wit,” and closing track “Triumph” had the die hard crowd rapping along word for word and younger, newer eyes in awe. 

The Clan’s live band took the performance to another level, elevating the instrumentals to new heights. The live instrumentation added an organic energy to the tracks, making them feel both fresh and authentically Wu. Method Man’s energetic sprinting, Ghostface Killah’s charismatic storytelling, and RZA’s commanding presence all contributed to a visually engaging show and the stage design, full of iconic Wu-Tang symbols, graphics and imagery further expanded the experience. The Clan took a moment mid show to pay tribute to their late member, Ol’ Dirty Bastard. His son, Young Dirty Bastard was there to fill in for his late father and to perform not only his lyrics on the group cuts but “Shimmy Shimmy Ya” and “Got Ya Money” as well. 

RZA and his heartfelt tribute to the late, great Prince was another highlight delivering an acapella rap that hit every Minnesotan in the feels. Wu-Tang Clan’s performance at the Target Center was, much like the closing track, a triumph. It was a celebration of hip-hop’s rich history in this, the 50th anniversary of the genre and a testament to the legacy of this iconic group and hip-hop as a whole. The Clan proved once again that they are masters of their craft and their live performance is an experience no true hip-hop head would miss. Wu-Tang truly is forever.

Yungblud blew the Roof off of The Armory, Delivering an Absolutely Electric Performance

Not much tops an evening of live in your face pop punk music and Saturday night the doors of The Armory were seething with speedy tempos and angst ridden choruses. Yungblud, the England native and modern pop rock darling, had once again made his way back to the Twin Cities with his eponymous tour, ‘Yungblud, the World Tour.’ Returning just over two weeks after the release of his latest single, “Lowlife,” Yungblud fans were in for a treat as there is nothing quite like fresh music, especially fresh live music from one of your favorites. With support from newcomers Games We Play and the potent four piece The Regrettes, Yungblud’s stop in Minneapolis this time around had all of the makings to be his best yet.

Maneuvering through a sea of pink and black clothes, fishnets, and makeup galore the vibe was overwhelmingly positive and the energy high to start the evening off. First to take the stage was the Los Angeles based trio Games We Play and they didn’t waste a second of time in getting the evening started. Like thunder, the punchy guitar and commanding vocals crackled throughout the venue and the bands vitality was reciprocated readily by everyone fortunate to be watching. Despite being new to the scene, the bands approachable attitude and relatable lyrics appeared to swiftly turn the audience into fans. Between effortlessly belting anthems, frontman Emmyn Calleiro playfully bantered with the crowd, from his infatuation and persistent DMing of pop sensation Billie Eilish, to the excitement of signing to the label Fulled By Ramen, making himself and the band come across every bit as authentic and accessible in person as they did through song. Delivering a short but sweet set full of feel good tunes and immense energy, Games We Play is one of the most fun to watch and listen to. If you’re a fan of any of the most recent pop rock, or music in general, they are worth checking out and without a doubt a band to keep an eye on. Performing this well, this early into their career is a sure sign of good things to come for them and their career. 

The Regrettes took to the stage just after 8:30 in front of an impending banner that read “We are The Regrettes, nice to meet you.” Keeping the spirit high the female fronted quartet kept up the punk vibes front and center but added their own twist to the sound of the night. Fusing the edge of punk sound with garage pop/surf rock style the band made quite the compelling case for themselves to anyone in the audience who was unfamiliar. Given the audience engagement it was evident they seemed just as happy to meet the band as the band was to meet them. Frontwoman Lydia Night was especially grateful that such a crowd had showed up early to give their music a listen and offered a thanks that was rewarded with overwhelming cheers. The showmanship of The Regrettes was expressive and theatrical, the group did well to keep up and add to the feeling of authenticity the night had been soaking in. Songs about empowerment, love and sexuality, body image, and a cover of Robyn’s “Dancing on My Own”made for an experience that commanded attention. Their time on stage was every bit as cathartic as a jump from a cliff and just as emotional. I’m of the opinion that The Regrettes set out to make friends in the audience Saturday night and of that I’m sure they succeeded. 

And just like that the moment everyone was waiting on had arrived. The lights dimmed and the band took to the stage. The suspense lingered for just a little while longer before Yungblud quite literally sprinted to center stage. As a good chunk of his discography might suggest, Yungblud is a literal ball of energy of a man and Saturday night he was ready to run a marathon. The funky groove of “21st Century Liability” opened the show and everyone behind me went word for word with the singer. There is something to be said about a performer who can hold a tune while jumping, sprinting, and kicking his way across the stage and for someone like Yungblud it’s painless. Navigating hits from all three of his records he bounced and bounded across the stage, warmly greeting those who were at their first show of his, and welcomed home all who’d shared that experience before. Navigating themes of love, self loathing, angst, and freedom it’s easy to see why he’s connected with so many people globally, as these are universal feelings and  universal desires. Approaching each topic he touches with equal parts introspection and projection, everyone in attendance was made to feel that the struggles you deal with day to day are some of the same struggles he does. And all of this, these feelings, that makes his music so compelling ring the most true when he’s looking you in your face telling you to be as weird as you can. Softer, stripped back acoustic moments gave way to more chaos and excitement as Yungblud belted his heart out and the crowd in front of him did the same. A familiarity between fans given the shared passion for the music made for a familial event and a concert experience that was overflowing with passion, dedication, and ecstasy. 

Lil Wayne Opens His 'Welcome to Tha Carter Tour' in Minneapolis

The Lil Wayne concert at The Fillmore in Minneapolis on Tuesday night saw the energy in the venue turn to electricity. Opening night of his highly anticipated “Welcome to Tha Carter Tour” had spirits high for everyone who had managed to get ahold of a ticket and with an artist as prestigious as Lil Wayne I am sure that a good portion of the staff were even thrilled to have been working that evening. Lil Wayne is a household name and if by chance you were still unfamiliar with his discography, you’ve surely heard tales of his high-energy performances. With a career spanning twenty plus years his fans are as passionate about his music as they are breathing the air they need to live. Tuesday nights show was set to be one for the books at The Fillmore. Not only is it a great venue for a concert, period, but its intimate atmosphere and great acoustics made the experience that much more unforgettable as Wayne could have easily played a room ten times the size. 

It goes without question that with a career as long as his, there would be a handful of throwback tracks mixed into his setlist. Lil Wayne’s performance undoubtedly included a mix of old and new hits, spanning the entirety of his influential career as one of hip-hop’s most impactful and successful artists. Fans in attendance were beyond thrilled to hear classics like ‘A Milli,’ ‘Lollipop,’ and ‘6 Foot 7 Foot,’ as well as newer hits like ‘Uproar’ and ‘Mona Lisa.’ In addition to the hits from his many studio albums there was a portion of the show where Wayne introduced himself as ‘Mixtape Weezy’ and dove even further back into the vault, surprising those in attendance with fan favorites from his prolific mixtape run. Be it from the ‘Dedication’ series of tapes with DJ Drama, his legendary cover tape ‘No Ceilings’ or the litany of other efforts across the years, to hear these tracks live and in person was undoubtedly a lasting and life long memory for all who had gathered. 

Nearing an hour into his performance Wayne left the stage to give his guests on the road with him some time to shine. While hopes were sky high when he mentioned he had brought people with him, his Drake level collaborators did not make an appearance. Introduced as the New Young Money, several up and coming artists gave the crowd some hard hitting and impactful three song mini sets. Individual sets from Drizzy Pink, Euro, Mellow Rackz, and Lil Twist managed to keep the energy alive and inspire a wave of new fans for each artist who graced the stage. With each artist getting 2-3 tracks to make an impression it was imperative that they make the most of their time and that’s exactly what they did again and again, artist after artist. 

Throughout the concert, Lil Wayne demonstrated his signature charisma and stage presence while frequently engaging with the audience and delivering a relentless and high-octane performance of every song on the setlist. Wading through the packed house his fans young and old rapped along to every bar, every punchline, and every word, creating a one of a kind, memorable and immersive experience, be it your first Wanye show or your seventeenth. His time on stage in Minneapolis was consistently high energy and with plenty of enthusiasm from both Wayne himself and the crowd in front of him it’s easy to see why he is referred to as The GOAT (Greatest Of All Time.) Complex and fast-paced rhymes, which for some can be challenging to perform live, were delivered flawlessly and without a backing track to boot. Overall, high expectations were set with the announcement of this highly anticipated tour and Wayne exceeded every single one. It was like a fever dream, not only was everyone watching The GOAT give an all star performance, but in a 1,500 capacity room?! That’s a gift that does not come along too often and two memorable hours that I personally will never forget. 

Kimbra Brings a Reckoning to the Twin Cities.

Despite the fact that the Twin Cities were teetering on the precipice of an impending (read colossal) snow storm, the winter weather warnings did little to keep concert goers away from Minneapolis’ own Fine Line Music Cafe this past Tuesday night. Fresh off the release of her fourth studio album ‘A Reckoning,’ Kimbra, the New Zealand native had at long last made her way back to us. From the looks of things, the line in front of the venue in particular, the doomsday snowfall would have to, more or less, bury us alive before anyone holding a ticket decided against attending. 

Worries washed away as excited fans pooled into the venue to support Kimbra on her latest tour. As support for her ‘A Reckoning’ tour Kimbra brought along the multi talented, singer, songwriter and producer Tei Shi. First to take the stage, the New York City based artist did the absolute most with minimal assistance on stage. Aside from the actual stage design, her set was a one woman show. Tei Shi and her performance oozed passion for not only the music she has created but also the source of those musical ideas.

The almost tribal drum beats served to amplify her belting when appropriate and again served as an excellent counterpoint during softer moments. Despite the brief 30 minute duration, the experience felt other worldly. Her voice is one to be reckoned with, both powerful and poignant it carried every bit of emotion intended. Between singing she spent time pondering to us in the audience and queuing her own backing music, taking complete control of the situation. When she wasn’t doing that Tei Shi used her voice and vibe to take us on a journey away from the cold and the monotony of day to day. If you’re not already familiar I’d suggest taking note, she’s somebody to watch.

A minute or two after 9:00pm the headliner was upon us, the band took the stage, the lights dimmed, and Kimbra made her way to center stage. The set opener “Save Me” did wonders to set the tone for the rest of the evening. The cerebral and self reflective anthem served as an electric start and an open invitation into Kimbra’s own headspace. Following that up with another pair of new tracks off ‘A Reckoning’ further solidified the therapeutic approach Kimbra uses in creating her soundscapes. Between songs she explained a bit of the reasoning behind her latest album. Birthed out of the COVID-19 pandemic, ‘A Reckoning’ is the product of Kimbra facing, naming, exploring, and accepting her different emotions. Her humanness if you will. And every ounce of that reflection was something those in the crowd felt in waves. 

Her ability to translate universal human emotion into her music and use it as a communication tool is perfection. Despite how emotions vary person to person, her breakdown in lyrics is transferable to most anyone, and certainly true for all those in attendance Tuesday night. The potency of her voice in combination with the worldly instrumentation was a treat to the ears and even more impactful face to face. The show fluctuated from absolutely boisterous and booming, something like a city street, to the more somber and soulful with the intimacy of sharing a bed. A range of emotions and skill were on display as she blistered through her set list before ending appropriately with the closing track off ‘A Reckoning’ titled “I Don’t Want To Fight” leaving us all with a very full circle and complete feeling.