On the 8th of September, the atmosphere in Rogers Arena in Vancouver, BC, transformed into a living, pulsating entity as Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson staged an unforgettable event, marking a high point in “The Final Lap” tour. Celebrating the two-decade milestone of his seminal album 'Get Rich or Die Tryin’, the legend engineered an evening replete with dynamic energies and echoes from a golden age in music, kindling flames of nostalgia while fueling new memories. It is worth noting the undeniable presence and contributions of Tony Yayo and Uncle Murda who shared the stage with 50 Cent for a large part of his set, adding more vigor and dynamism to the celebration.
For two exhilarating months, the veteran rapper has been igniting sparks of joy and exhilaration across North America, turning each city into a carnival of rhythm and witness to the vibrant chronicle of a career spanning over two decades. In Vancouver, the carnival reached its crescendo, drawing energy from an ensemble cast that included powerhouse artists like Jeremih and Busta Rhymes.
Jeremih opened the panorama with a rich tapestry of sounds, taking fans on a nostalgic road trip through his career. The arena resonated with euphonic strains as he rendered a touching solo piano performance during “Birthday Sex”, setting a tender yet compelling prelude to the night that lay ahead.
Then, Busta Rhymes took the helm, offering a rich narrative of the hip-hop saga through a performance imbued with historical richness and rhythmic vivacity. His effortless grace in delivering intricate lyrics created a bridge between different eras of hip-hop, encapsulating its ever-evolving narrative in a potent set.
As 50 Cent emerged, the arena held its breath, ready to delve deep into a repertoire laden with chart-toppers and rarely performed jewels. The opening strains of "The Invitation" enveloped the audience, turning each track into a sentient being, reaching out to everyone and invoking a spectrum of emotions - joy, nostalgia, and sheer excitement reverberated through the space, conjuring the wonder that greeted his debut album two decades ago.
In a memorable chapter of the evening, 50 Cent reunited with Jeremih for “Down on Me”, painting a canvas of camaraderie and collaboration that echoed with the dynamic, raw energy of music in its purest form. This collaboration transmuted the arena into a pulsating hub where time seemed to slow, and every heartbeat danced in harmony with the symphonic reverberations surrounding them.
As 50 Cent unfolded his musical narrative, taking paths less traveled with covers of iconic tracks including "The Game" and Lil’ Kim's "Magic Stick", the tapestry of sounds grew richer, delving into deep personal narratives and crafting a vivid imagery through word and rhythm.
Navigating through sultry and impassioned landscapes with “Candy Shop” and “21 Questions,” 50 Cent invoked different epochs, offering the audience a chance to traverse his artistic landscape, to witness stories reincarnated through potent lyrics and immersive sounds.
There was an exploration of his rich and diverse portfolio, where tracks like Pop Smoke's "The Woo" and the buzzing “Ayo Technology” came alive, creating a vibrant mosaic of sound that resonated with the essence of hip-hop culture.
As the journey neared its end, 50 Cent, flanked by the irreplaceable presences of Tony Yayo and Uncle Murda, filled Rogers Arena with a fervent rendition of "Whip Yo Head". The venue became a living entity, a space where every individual turned into a heartbeat in the living organism that is the legacy of 50 Cent.
As fans across the globe anticipate the European leg of this historic tour, starting from Amsterdam on September 28th, one can't help but wonder what each historic venue, from the illustrious Avicii Arena to the grandiose La Defense Arena, will add to this evolving narrative, a narrative that transcends music to etch itself in the annals of hip-hop history.
As “The Final Lap” tour unfolds, one can't help but reflect: as the world stands witness to the encapsulation of a revolutionary musical journey, what yet unseen narratives and ground-breaking frontiers await in the unfathomed depths of 50 Cent's boundless odyssey?