Last night's 50 Cent concert at the Midland was like good sex: intimate, sweaty, aggressive, and in its final moments, wet.
Joined by fellow G-Unit members Lloyd Banks and Tony Yayo, 50 Cent proved that even after his recent turn as an actor in the upcoming film Things Fall Apart, New York's bad guy still knows how to turn a crowd out on the mic. (For those wondering, yes, 50's returned to yoked perfection after dropping 50 pounds for the movie role.)
While last night's crowd may not have been sold out, the audience was still large enough to shake the upper levels of the Midland, and the lines at the bar were long enough -- and annoying enough -- to warrant walking away with an armful of alcoholic beverages.
50's set, preceded by a fifteen minute performance by Lloyd Banks, lasted almost two hours. Even then, as hands waved, asses shook, and the crowed rumbled for yet another encore, 50 and his G-Unit crew seemed reluctant to exit. "Y'all got an 11 o'clock curfew?" 50 asked the audience after holding an audible offstage discussion with the Theater's management, who apparently told him about the required 11PM exit.
Backed by a silkscreen of his own chiseled image doing shirtless push-ups on the New York City skyline, and flanked by a DJ to the south-end of the stage, Fifty and Tony Yayo greeted Kansas City with a cross section of songs from 50's three studio albums. And for an artist who is known for beef with fellow hip-hop artists and music rife with gangster proclamations, he frequently broke out a wide, toothy smile.
If this evening's crowd was any indication, those who most ardently appreciate 50 Cent are female. "I don't even know his music," someone said near the end of the concert. "I just think he's hot." That statement was mimed by the diverse collection of women in the crowd: suburban teenagers who sneaked out of the house in ass-high skirts, and older women hoping that 50 could help them get their groove back.
Regardless of gender, 50 and G-Unit Co. gave fans what they've come to expect from the Platinum-selling rapper: pimp-slaps of gangster pontifications, softened with for-the-ladies hits. It's a well-marketed, delicate balance that has driven the Queens-native to super-selling stardom.
The first half of the set got off with well-known favorites "Wanksta," "I Get Money," and "Gangsta." Then 50 Cent brought folks up to speed with more recent hits "Baby By Me" and "So Seductive." During the second half of the concert, 50 located a few water bottles, and proceeded to spray the crowd (and even Banks) as he delivered his own hit, "Beamer, Benz and Bentley." "Better cool that nigga off," 50 said. "He's hot."
Combined, the three G-Unit members provided an evening of inspired performances, delivering on the Unit's classic, universal formula of hardcore rebellion (for the guys) smartly balanced with libidinal promise (for the ladies).
To the appreciation of arm-waving fans, Yayo, Banks and 50 returned for an encore, and even teased with another before finally thanking everyone for their support.
Set List
Then Days
Wanksta
Rider Pt. 2
I Get Money
Gangsta
Crimewave
Strong Enough
Psycho
Hands Up
Baby By Me
Think About Me
Ayo
Follow My Lead
Pimp
Pimpin
How We Do
Hate It or Love It
Hold Me Down
Magic Stick
So Seducitve
Outta Control Remix
Backdown
Straight to the Bank
Grimey
Rider Music
Crack a Bottle
Disco
Lil Bit
Candyshop
Po Lil Rich
OK, You're Right
Many Men
In Da Club
Beamer Benz or Bentley
Pass Da Patron
Encore
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