T.I., affectionately known as “THE KING” walked out onstage and saluted the New York City crowd before going into an explosive performance that started with “Top Back” and “Rubberband Man”.
You would have thought that T.I. was back home in Atlanta by the way the sold out crowd in the Big Apple knew all the words to some of his biggest hits and most of his underground records as well.
From “24s” and “Live Your Life” to “Trap Back Jumping”
and “What You Know”, T.I. put on a high energy performance from beginning to end that clearly had his swag on full display. Many rappers claim to have “swag”, but T.I. is the definition of swag without ever having to say a word. It’s either you have it, or you don’t.
Juicy J. made a brief, but lively guest appearance to perform “We Still In This Bitch” with T.I. and then “Bandz A Make Her Dance” that included Juicy J. jumping down off the stage into the photo pit to rap along with the fans in the crowd.
The opening act for the evening was Joe Budden, the controversial rapper and newly minted reality TV star of this season’s Love And Hip-Hop New York. Joe Budden’s set was short and included songs “Pump It Up” and “She Don’t Put It Down Like You.” But when Slaughterhouse, Joe Budden’s critically acclaimed rap group took the stage to perform “Hammer Dance”, the crowd went crazy. The energy was on a different level.
But this night clearly belonged to T.I. And despite minor career setbacks that would have derailed any other rapper in the game, T.I. showed you why he is called “The King Of The South” and that he was still wearing his crown. ALL HAIL THE KING.
Photos and Story by: Jerry “Mr. Live-N-Direct” Bagley
