Touring can be exhausting work; it takes energy and dedication to prepare for long drives between cities. But the rewards can be immense for artists that take their craft seriously and connect with their audiences.
Hip hop music tours have long been an integral component of hip hop history. Tours like LL Cool J’s Raising Hell tour elevated rap music into popular culture; others displayed the talents of talented rappers.
1. Eminem & Rihanna’s Monster Tour
As summer 2014 unfolds, big package tours dominated by stars with Sonny and Cher influences combine hip-hop testosterone with female vocalists of equal power for unforgettable shows. Eminem and Rihanna kicked off their six-date, three-city Monster Tour last night at Pasadena’s Rose Bowl and it quickly revealed a stark dichotomy between themselves and one another. Rihanna was welcomed into San Quentin Maximum Security Prison (portrayed by Michael Imperioli from The Sopranos ) by a warden resembling Hannibal Lecter from The Sopranos, before performing her hit song “Numb.” As the show went on, Rihanna’s hits and Eminem classics took turns taking center stage. Notable moments included a mashup of Jay Z’s “Run This Town” with “Renegade”, Rihanna stepping in for Dido on “Stan” off The Marshall Mathers LP classic and her cover of B.o.B and Hayley Williams’ “Airplanes.”
After two hours of rapping, the act shifted into three distinct sections: Act one was a joint set; act two saw Rihanna perform solo; and Act three featured Eminem alone for an hourlong set – his double-time flow during a stomping rendition of Drake’s “Forever” and thunderous rap-along verse from Drake’s “Rap God” proved yet again that Eminem is hip-hop’s Hendrix.
This tour, which included Los Angeles’ Rose Bowl on August 7th; East Rutherford New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium August 16-17 and Detroit Comerica Park August 22-23 could have been even more engaging if there had been more interaction among its headliners. Still, however, it made quite an impression as only Jay Z and Beyonce’s On The Run Tour grossed more money last year – it would have been nice for Eminem and Rihanna to add extra dates as well.
2. Kendrick Lamar’s Damn Tour
Kendrick Lamar isn’t only an incredible rapper; he’s also a remarkable live performer. The Damn Tour proved this point. From openers YG and D.R.A.M bringing their party vibes all the way through to Kendrick himself, this show delivered. It was clear from its opening minutes that this would be one of Kendrick Lamar’s finest performances yet!
As soon as the curtain fell, YG’s Bompton set was transformed into the DAMN set by Kendrick Lamar’s set, which began with “DNA.” Kendrick kept up an energetic performance without needing instrumentalists; all in attendance sang along enthusiastically to Kendrick. The atmosphere in the arena was electric – everyone in attendance joined in singing with Kendrick!
This was an introspective set, and the crowd responded enthusiastically with applause. Unfortunately, however, some low points occurred: album tracks like “Mirror,” which featured Lamar on an elevated platform above his audience for 20 feet, were impressive in design but seemed out of place given both venue and atmosphere.
As Lamar’s set progressed, he integrated new material from Damn into his set list. Songs such as “LUST.,” “Money Trees,” and “Alright” offered an unexpected contrast from Damn’s more introspective fare, where Lamar rejects his role as America’s savior while processing his vices, traumas, and contradictions. Fans responded enthusiastically with choruses of “Ken-drick!” and thunderous chants of “Damn!” It’s evident that Lamar has come far since playing college homecomings gyms with poor acoustics!
3. Travis Scott’s Astroworld – Wish You Were Here Tour
After spending two weeks as Number One on the Billboard 200, Travis Scott embarks on his Astroworld – Wish You Were Here Tour across North America. Starting November 8th in Baltimore and concluding December 19th at Los Angeles’ Forum; Sheck Wes, Virgil Abloh, and Trippie Redd will all join Travis along their 26-show trek.
This tour’s name pays homage to Houston’s Six Flags AstroWorld theme park and album named after it, while featuring visual artists who designed a carnival-esque fairground featuring bright lights, plumes of CO 2, and carnival iconography. Jacob Waite caught up with them at London’s O2 Arena as it transformed into their raucous Houston theme park experience.
From the very start of the first set, it became evident that this hip hop tour would not be your typical experience. From his incredible acrobatics and stage diving to using his crowd for audience participation and his signature vocal delivery style – every aspect was captivating enough to ensure attendees would remember this experience forever.
CT provided a Ross Carbonite 4k PPU at FOH, four Sony HSE 300 cameras – one at FOH, two long lens cameras on either side of the arena, and one roaming between B-stage and main stage, and a wireless camera – along with three Agile Robo cameras housed on stage to capture every angle and shot possible during this production. A variety of visual effects were also used throughout, including projection mapping and an LED matrix custom-built by CT.
4. Drake & Future’s What a Time to Be Alive Tour
Drake and Future are always engaging to watch collaborate, especially live on stage. Their latest offering “Life Is Good” promises to get everyone hyped up about Drake’s 2019 tour with hits old and new alike!
The video for “Knights Protect Their Queens” by both artists depicts them channelling medieval knights while performing rhymes about past heartaches and pain. Directed by Director X, it opens with an eye-catching leather book with pages that open magically before rappers perform verses that exude power and royalty through movements and expressions unique to themselves.
Last month, Drake returned to Atlanta 107.9 Birthday Bash 20, following their 2015 project What a Time to Be Alive. Their performance included over 30 tracks performed by Drake which Rolling Stone noted as proof of his “dominance as a performer.”
This fall, Drake will embark on his What a Time to Be Alive Tour across 41 cities with Miguel as special guests including October’s Very Own artists Roy Wood$ and dvsn. His third studio album Nothing Was the Same is scheduled to come out later in 2018.
If you want to catch Drake and Future live, tickets for their upcoming concert are now on sale! See all tour dates and ticket information here.
5. The Miseducation of Lauren Hill Tour
Lauryn Hill will mark 25 years since her critically acclaimed 1998 debut solo album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill by embarking on an international tour this fall. Starting next month in Minneapolis, Hill will perform songs from this album as she discusses its lasting influence at 17 shows throughout North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand; The Fugees will join Hill for all US dates, including one performance at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center in October.
Hill’s groundbreaking 1998 album entered the Library of Congress, inspiring future artists with its groundbreaking blend of reggae, soul and rap. She won five Grammy awards including Album of the Year as she became the first female rapper ever. Hill returned to performing following several high-profile appearances such as performing at Hip Hop 50 Live concert in New York and guest staring during Nas’ performance at Roots Picnic in June. This tour marks Hill’s comeback to stage performance following such notable appearances.
Wyclef Jean and Pras Michel will join Hill on her North American leg, originally scheduled for a tour honoring 25th Anniversary of Their Score album release but postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic and legal troubles faced by Pras Michel for illegally transferring millions to fund his presidential bid in Haiti. Citi card members can purchase presale tickets starting August 22; additional ticket sales go live Friday (September 8).