Wu-Tang Clan And Nas’ NY State Of Mind Tour Brought Big Apple Vibes To Tampa
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Witnessing the rhythmic notes of your childhood being played in real-time is the making of deep memories.
Those were the vibes at the NY State of Mind Tour stop in Tampa, Fla. this past weekend. Held at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa on Sunday (Sept. 24), the experience was equally abundant in showmanship and comfort. From the plush Rock Spa to the poolside bar and cabanas, the amenities gave attendees a dose of eclectic relaxation ahead of the ruggedness that was in store.
Headlined by De La Soul, Wu-Tang Clan and Nas, the game was on at the Hard Rock slots and tables, but the true prize was the outdoor concert, the first of over 25 stops on the tour. Beginning with a DJ set filled with Empire State classics as well as a medley paying homage to Southern rap legends, the show was a festive affair, with attendees being treated to three decades worth of hit records and cultural anthems.
Long Island, N.Y. native’s Posdnous and Maseo of De La Soul were the first act to hit the stage, with the duo breezing through a handful of their definitive cuts. Joined by Talib Kweli, who assumed vocal duties for late De La member Trugoy, Pos held it down on the lyrical front as Maseo helped control the pace and the crowd from the turntables.
The group’s Daisy logo was emblazoned on each side of the stage, complemented by the resort’s palm trees, which provided temporary respite from the beaming sun-rays bearing down throughout the afternoon. Fan favorites like “So Much More,” “Stakes Is High,” and “Rock Co.Kane Flow” were spread out across the set, with Kweli tearing the stage down with his own solo cuts “Move Something” and “Get By” for good measure.
While the headliners’ hometown was being doused in showers, the setting of their latest tour stop was sweltering; VIPs found refuge in a pool directly in front of the stage. During lulls between performances, whistles resembling a swarm of killer bees announced the arrival of bottle service, delivered by resort staffers in Wu-Tang shirts. For those looking to sop up the alcohol floating through the function, the inviting aroma of chicken wings were within arm and order’s reach. The celebratory, relaxing vibe preceded dual performances from the Wu-Tang Clan and Nas.
Leading from the front, RZA was the first Wu member to emerge on the stage, launching into his solo cut “Drink, Smoke & F**k” while gradually being joined by several of his clan mates. “It’s hotter than fish grease,” Method Man said after demolishing his Enter the Wu-Tang cut “M.E.T.H.O.D. Man” with a sweat-inducing performance. Young Dirty Bastard channeled his father’s spirited stage presence while delivering his verses, and Raekwon bodied his opening stanza on “Bring Da Ruckus.”
Nas made his first appearance of the evening alongside Raekwon and Ghostface for “Verbal Intercouse” before delighting the crowd with a string of his definitive cuts. Rocking a white t-shirt and shorts, the Queens, N.Y. native considered a possible addition to his real estate portfolio. “I might have to get a crib out here,” said the 50-year-old, who gave ticket holders a history lesson in his legend with “The Message,” “Hate Me Now,” “It Ain’t Hard to Tell,” and “Get Down.”
On stage, he brought parts of home with him to the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa. Familiar sightings like Queensbridge’s “40-16 Building” and other hallmarks of the five boroughs were shown onscreen and on signage throughout the night. “No matter the color, it’s a mind-state,” Nas said of Hip-Hop, a declaration that preceded his collaborative performance of “Eye for an Eye” with Raekwon. After briefly exiting the stage, The Chef returned full throttle with an amped up performance of “Criminology,” one of multiple standouts from his Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... album that got burn that afternoon.
With the majority of performers decked out in the standard New York attire of white t-shirts and shorts, the Wu continued to run through the front-end of their group and solo catalogs. Method Man’s “I’ll Be There for You/You’re All I Need to Get By,” as well as early hits like “C.R.E.A.M.” and “Protect Ya Neck” sent the crowd into a tizzy, with Tical emphasizing the presence of the entire Clan on stage.
Nas took attendee back in time in the proceedings thereafter, sprinkling cuts from his series before delivering marquee hits from his catalog. Resounding performances of “The World Is Yours” and “If I Ruled The World” were sandwiched in between “Oochie Wally” and “Made You Look,” with Nas basking in the moment. “This sh*t is crazy, y’all don’t even understand,” Esco said of the euphoric atmosphere.
The crew from Shaolin returned to the stage to end things off with their final run, as Ghostface Killah got in on the fun with his Bulletproof Wallets cut “Ghost Showers.” RZA took the time to acknowledge the cultural milestone that Hip-Hop is in the midst of before closing the show with “Triumph” and bestowing “peace and blessings” upon the crowd.
Having witnessed the power of beats, rhymes and life live, some attendees trekked back to their destinations and others continued to enjoy the hotel and casino’s vast amenities. More stuck around to enjoy an afterparty show rocked by MC Serch, Dana Dane, Nice & Smooth, and Smif-N-Wessun at the Hard Rock Cafe Tampa. The experience was one belied by exquisite eats, copious amounts of Hip-Hop, and the kind of world-class entertainment that left all present in a New York state of mind.
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