Nas
w/ Chali 2na
» NAS - Thebarton Theatre, SA - October 29, 2009
» Low-Fi 2009 - Aberdeen Hotel, WA - October 25, 2009
» Modest Mouse - July 25, 2011
» The Dandy Warhols - May 29, 2011
The last time this reviewer went to see the thirty-six year-old veteran of the rap game, he was opening for Kanye West at Acer Arena in front of hordes of screaming pre-pubescent girls just waiting to phone Gold Digger home to their envious friends. Facing such an apathetic reception, Nas easily outshone his support slot, ripping through hit after hit in an astoundingly breathless medley. Headlining the Enmore, this time with the promise of a crowd far more receptive to the Queens local, I, for one, was expecting big things.
With the tirelessly amiable Charli 2NA in tow, Nas never looked like failing to impress. 2NA – one of the founding members and the heavy baritone that underscores much of Jurassic 5’s classic material – was on point as expected. He cruised through a combination of solo and J5 material (the latter, inexorably, far better received by a swelling audience) but never seemed to really get out of first gear. Whether a testament to his natural ability or a sad reminder of his age, 2NA appeared to push through his set on cruise-control. There was nothing intrinsically wrong with the set - it was very listenable and largely enjoyable – there was just a slight niggling feeling that we weren’t getting 100% 2NA.
By contrast, Nasty Nas lived up to his name and his reputation, exploding onto the stage with seven-piece Mulatto – easily the tightest, most insane hip-hop band anywhere on the planet. Rocking through new material early (opener Hip Hop Is Dead and I Can off ‘God’s Son’ were notable highlights), Nas seemed as at ease on stage as 2NA had been and yet, rapped with such passion, speed and consistency as to dwarf his support act. There was little time for between-song banter as an enthralled audience (brothers, homegirls and legions of whiggas out in force) heaved and swayed along a lyrical journey that encompassed the best of Nas’ lengthy career.
Impressively, the rapper remained in control of the lively Mulatto throughout, reining them in and unleashing bursts of trumpet, keys and drums as appropriate. There was a definite sense of spectacle but it never felt overwhelming as the audience put their trust in the OG and he delivered, time after time. He’s been called the greatest rapper alive. Seeing the man live makes it clear: no one was mincing words.
