Friday 14th January 2011 saw the final UK concert in Canadian rapper Aubrey Graham Drake aka Drake's European 'Dreams & Nightmare Tour'.
Thousands of fans flocked to the NIA Arena in Birmingham to watch the artist delight audiences with tracks from his first official studio album Thank Me Later. Drake was joined (albeit not together onstage) by upcoming American rapper J.Cole who opened the show. An incredible and underrated rapper with thought provoking and often political lyrics in his songs warmed the crowd up admirably.
Arriving fashionably late my friend Susanna and I appeared to take our seats in block J on the left hand side of the stage.
Firstly Cole performed his set with astounding ease and grace, knowing exactly how to interact and work with the crowd keeping them engaged and anticipating the main man of the evening. He gave the audience his all on 'Grown Simba' spitting lyrics with passion. Performing new single 'In The Morning' which features Drake, Cole delivered the lyrics of the song so effortlessly one could have believed they were listening to the actual track. Cole was humble and thankful to fans. Certainly one of the best opening acts I've ever seen.
Drake made an entrance simply: there were few flashing lights or tricks. Just one man and his microphone.
Opening his set with crowd pleaser 'Forever' and ending with 'Over' Drake delivered the creme de la creme from his mixtapes and albums brilliantly. Was a little disappointed he didn't perform more material from The Comeback Season or So Far gone (was holding out for Closer and Say What's Real) but I'm assuming he had an obligation to his mainstream fans and newfound success.
Drizzy also surprised the crowd with a re-enactment of his '3 stroke' which he had been talking about in an interview with Westwood earlier this week. Drake and his pelvic thrusts and vivid descriptions sent female fans into a frenzy of cheering before 'What's My Name'.
Paying homage to Lil Wayne he also performed 'Single' and Young Money track 'Bedrock'. He sung his verse from 'Aston Martin Music' which also got the crowd singing along as every other song did.
Overall the event was amazing and Drizzy was definitely on top of his game and then some, but above all supporting act J.Cole was the highlight. He got the crowd going with some great songs and energy. These two combined may well be a force to reckon with in the world of music in 2011 and beyond.
R x
P.S. Oh and on a more boring note I think security could have been a bit better- need to mention how NO-ONE checked our bags, not implying I could have something illicit on my person, but really, in Birmingham, or anywhere for that matter anything could have passed through. Not gonna rant *snore*
