While I've spent this year intentinally going to every concert that was on my bucketlist, but October 7, 2023 in Minneapolis was straight-up bonkers! I still can't believe it was my first time witnessing Nas in action and seeing the whole Wu-Tang squad rocking the same stage. It was a monumental event celebrating hip-hop's 50th anniversary. I had to bring my husband because he is the ultimate Wu Tang fan. I think it has something to do with him growing up in Park Hill. Shout out to Staten Island!
When I tell you big thangs was poppin'! Target Center was packed to the rafters, boasting a turnout of around 9,000 hip-hop heads. That's how we do it when it's an NYC hip-hop trifecta featuring Wu-Tang Clan, Nas, and De La Soul.
Now, De La Soul, they had a little hiccup as the opening act. They brought in Talib Kweli to fill in for their fallen co-founder, R.I.P. Trugoy the Dove. Talib dropped "Stakes Is High" and got the party started, but their set ended way too abruptly - it was felt so unfinished.
But the rest of the night was straight fire! It was a marathon of hip-hop history.
Wu-Tang kicked off the night with a bang. RZA got the crowd pumped with GZA, and they took us through "Liquid Swords," "Incarcerated Scarfaces," and "Mighty Healthy." The whole Wu-Tang crew jumped in for classics like "Da Mystery of Chessboxin'" and "Bring da Ruckus" before Nas took the reins.
Nas, turning the big 5-0 this year, served up "Hate Me Now" and "Get Down" with the same energy as a 20-year-old. He shouted, "Happy birthday, hip-hop!" and declared, "Fifty years, and I think we're just getting started." Dang. I can't believe I'm a year older than hip hop?!
He dropped heavy hitters like "Eye for an Eye (Your Beef Is Mines)" with Raekwon, and then came back and hit us with more old-school bangers like "The World Is Yours, and "If I Ruled the World."
Wu-Tang's second set delved deep into their classics, especially from their '93 debut "Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)." Me and the crowd went straight bonkers when Method Man showed up, bringing the heat with "Wu-Tang Ain't Nuthin ta F' Wit" and his self-titled jam. I straight lost my shit for "C.R.E.A.M." and "Protect Ya Neck" with the whole crew and the entire arena ryming at the same time!
The live band added some extra flava to the Wu-Tang set, which made it extra lit. RZA even paid tribute to our home town hero Prince with some freestyle vibes.
Nas, fittingly, brought it home with his hip-hop anthem "One Mic," reminding us that sometimes, all you need is one mic and one stage. Saturday's show proved that when you've got a bunch of mics and beat-makers bundling together, classic rap acts can still rock the arena like it's nobody's business! 🎤🔥🏟️
