I'M STILL MUSIC

April 27, 2011

Lil Wayne has returned to the stage, reasserting his spot among rap’s elite and putting on an epic show along the way. Of course he's getting a little help from his friends.

On Wednesday night Weezy rolled his show into Vancouver with an impressive lineup that read like the guest list for a spectacular and exclusive music industry party. The bill included a blend of budding talent, fresh superstars, and seasoned pros.

The assembly of artists wasted no time kicking off the four hour concert at Rogers Arena. Travis Barker and Mixmaster Mike got down to business with a stellar DJ/Drummer set as fans began filling the stadium. Keeping the crowd entertained for half an hour, the duo's DJ table and drum kit were set up in a giant boombox--each artist framed by speaker shaped cut-outs.

Next on the bill, hip-hop heavyweight, Rick Ross opened his set with a parade of pyrotechnic blasts that shook the building to its core. His fourth album Teflon Don, earned rave reviews and features an array of guest appearances from Jay-Z to Kanye West. Hailing from Miami, the MC is set to release his latest studio album in May.

Finally the the main draw took to the stage, decked out in Canucks gear complete with a jersey and hat, his long dreads hanging down his back, Weezy hit the ground running with "I'm Goin' In" and "Bill Gates". The crowd was buzzing with energy and cheering hysterically, the atmosphere was electric.

Hits including "A-Milli" and "Green and Yellow" transformed the entire arena into a mosh pit that reached up through the upper bowl as the crowd danced and jumped to every beat.

Backed by dancers and a full band, Lil Wayne was simultaneously gritty and smooth as he cut through his set with precision.

Carrying the energy, Weezy's protégé Nicki Minaj took over the reigns, her performance positioned in between Lil Wayne's acts. The top selling rapper, signed to Weezy's Young Money label, has risen to super-stardom at an incredible speed.

Rising from the stage sporting a blond and pink beehive, dressed in a rainbow-patterned bodysuit with a glittering corset, Minaj was greeted by a packed crowd spotted with neon pink wigs.

Her set featured "Roman's Revenge" and "My Chick Bad" along with more material from her critically acclaimed debut album Pink Friday, which hit platinum status. The theatrical rapper, both charming and rude, earned a lot of love from the Vancouver crowd with her undeniable talent.

Ultimately, the night belonged to Lil Wayne.

Born Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr., the rapper was born and raised in New Orleans, and began rapping in his early years. By sixteen he released his solo debut Tha Block Is Hot, in 1999. The album sold over one million copies in the U.S.

By 2005 he had released Tha Carter II, on which he dubs himself the greatest rapper alive. Tonight Weezy was proving his case.

The show featured favourites off 2008's Tha Carter III, such as "Got Money" and "Phone Home". The album, which debuted atop the charts, earned Lil Wayne eight BET Hip-Hop Awards and four Grammy’s including Rap Album of the Year.

Capping his I'm Still Music tour's Vancouver show with "6 Foot 7 Foot", the first single off his highly anticipated Tha Carter IV album, its hard to argue that he isn't entitled to sit on rap's throne.