Getting to see A Tribe Called Quest play their final show ever (they really seem to mean it this time) as an opening act is a pretty good deal. Kanye West invited them to open up two of his headlining shows at both Barclays and MSG, with the latter being the final show in NYC, as well as A Tribe’s last performance. It was a fell good great hits offering from the beloved Queens rap group, who left things off on the highest note possible. The performance included an energetic cameo from Busta Rhymes which got the crowd on their feet and wild. It was cool to finally get to see them play live (and hear “Can I Kick It?” If it truly is their last live performance, I am very lucky to have seen it go down.
Kanye surprisingly started on time at 9 p.m. and the show didn’t disappoint in any way. It was bombastic in theatrical in ways that only Kanye could summon from his mind. The stage setup included a giant heaven-inspired mountain, as well as a center stage that could transform and rise to an elevated mountain of its own. The show started with a clad of females who walked out in a cult like fashion. This led the way for the many theatrical moments that would occur throughout Kanye’s furocious set.
Songs were grouped together with different themes (Fighting/Rising/Falling/Searching/Finding) which would feature Kanye spotting up at different locations. He would move from the center stage platform to the mountain, and then back to the center stage which was now its own mountain. There was never a dull moment, with monsters, thinly concealed females, and a Jesus all joining him during the performance at some point.
In terms of value, no one could complain about where the expensive ticket prices came from. Kanye delivered a show that came close to going to the theater. He played for nearly two hours, giving us an insane 27-song set. He took songs from all over his career. Highlights included “New Slaves”, “Power”, “Can’t Tell Me Nothing”, “Through the Wire”, “All Of The Lights”, “Heartless”, and “Blood On The Leaves,” which was just unreal live, featuring pyro explosions. Honestly, it was a giant greatest hits run through that couldn’t possibly leave any Kanye fans disappointed.
Of course there were plenty of Kanye moments, including a length 15-20 minute “rant” where he rambled about various topics such as the fashion industry, Lenny Kravitz, and The Hunger Games. He also would directly communicate with his sounds/lighting team if the lights were too bright or sound not right. When the crowd didn’t react the right way to “Blood On The Leaves,” he stopped playing and asked if we really wanted to hear it. I almost thought he was going to skip it, but thankfully the crowd got amped up after this and it resulted in the best performance of the night.
Say what you want about Kanye and his ego, but it’s hard not to see the mans genius after witnessing his live show, which was for sure, one of the best shows I’ve seen this year.
Find some photos (iphone only) of both Kanye and ATCQ posted below, along with both setlists.
Kanye West:
A Tribe Called Quest:
Kanye West Setlist:
On Sight
New Slaves
Send It Up
Mercy
Rising
Power
Cold
I Don’t Like (Chief Keef cover)
Clique
Black Skinhead
I Am a God
Can’t Tell Me Nothing
Coldest Winter
Hold My Liquor
I’m In It
Guilt Trip
Heartless
Blood on the Leaves
Lost in the World
Runaway
Stronger
Through the Wire
Jesus Walks
Diamonds from Sierra Leone
Flashing Lights
All of the Lights
Good Life
Bound 2
A Tribe Called Quest Setlist:
Midnight Marauders Tour Guide
Steve Biko (Stir It Up)
The Chase, Part II
Oh My God
Buggin’ Out
Excursions
Sucka Nigga
Find A Way
Bonita Applebum
Electric Relaxation
Scenario (with Busta Rhymes)
Can I Kick It?
Check The Rhime
Award Tour
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