Photos: Common
Hip hop is probably one of the more challenging genres of music to photograph. With often animated stage presences, quick movements, and mic-in-the-face performances for many rappers, clean shots are no easy matter. Common’s performance in downtown St. Louis was no exception. Thankfully, the production had some nice lighting effects, so together with Common’s command [...]
Unladylike
February 19, 2009 – Coming in with the one-two punch, newly Def Jam-signed rap duo Unladylike brought a fierce and unrelenting set to the Swagger Like Us Tour, priming the stage for headliners T.I. and Ludacris.
Jim Jones
February 19, 2009 – Showing the world how to pop champagne, Jim Jones’s performance on the Swagger Like Us Tour seemed as if it could have been any other night at the club for the rapper, as he drank, puffed, and passed, all while never missing an opportunity for a well-timed pelvic thrust. Needless to [...]
T.I.
February 19, 2009 – Headlining the Swagger Like Us Tour, Atlanta’s T.I. capped off the night with his own brand of braggadocio, the kind of do-or-die strutting that had the rapper offering to take haters off the hands of his fans one song while ripping off his shirt and throwing it to the fans during [...]
Ludacris
February 19, 2009 – Performing on the Swagger Like Us Tour, Southern rapper Ludacris brought equal parts braggadacio and impeccable showmanship to the stage at the Chaifetz Arena.
Tech N9ne
May 13, 2008 – Co-headlining the Strange Music tour with Paul Wall, Kansas City’s rap king, Tech N9ne, stormed the stage of the Pageant amid strobes and a flood of red light.
Gym Class Heroes
January 8, 2009 – Performing on the I Am Music Tour in support of Lil Wayne, Gym Class Heroes performed a quick-hitting set that included fan-favorites like “Peace Sign” and “Cupid’s Chokehold.”
One from Tyga
Just one shot for today, from Tyga’s performance in support of Metro Station. I set up one SB-600 speedlight camera left on a speaker stack and triggered it with the Nikon SB-900.
Nelly, Murphy Lee, and the St. Lunatics
August 30, 2008 – In surprise appearance, the St. Lunatics stormed the stage at the Chaifetz Arena, making their first group performance together in eight years. At the center of the spotlights were Nelly and Murphy Lee, who delivered a tight and quick set of the crowd-pleasing jams before Lil Wayne‘s set capped off the [...]
Nas
Backed by DJ Green Lantern on the decks, hip hop luminary Nas took the stage in a fiery performance that had the house shaking with tracks from 1994′s Illmatic to 2008′s Untitled and everything in between.
Lil Wayne
August 30, 2008 – After devastating performances by the St. Lunatics, multi-platinum recording artist Lil Wayne rolled into the Chaifetz to throw down, spit fire, and claim his title as best rapper alive.
Talib Kweli
Opening for Nas on the Jones Experience Tour, underground hip hop star Talib Kweli delivered a tight set that drew from his deep catalogue, including old standbys like “Get By,” from his debut solo album Quality, and “I Try,” from The Beautiful Struggle.
Young Jeezy
August 17, 2008 –In a quick 60-minute set, Young Jeezy lit up the Pageant in a blazing performance that had the sold-out house screaming for more.
Jo Dee Messina
April 26, 2008 – Award-winning singer-songwriter Jo Dee Messina brought the foot-stomping country throw down to the Chaifetz Arena.
The Roots @ the Fox Theatre — 2008.05.29
With not a turn table, DAT, or laptop in sight, the Legendary Roots Crew lit up the Fox Theatre in a fiery deliver of their trademark live show.
Chingy @ the Chaifetz Arena — 2008.04.26
Sporting a platinum and diamond chain bearing the initials of his Slot-A-Lot label, hometown rapper Chingy performed a tight and kinetically-charged set at the new Chaifetz Arena.
The Roots — 2008.04.18
“The ever-elusive hip hop,” riddled Black Thought, pausing between songs. “Is it dead? Is it alive?” By the end of the night, this last question would be answered with a definitive positive in performance by the MC and the Legendary Roots Crew.
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