When it comes to the N.B.A.’s annual All Star Game weekend, a few things can be counted on: a high level of presentation, surprise collaborations, and frenetic fans. With this year’s All Star game taking place in Los Angeles, California, many of hip-hop’s all stars decided that they would put on shows in some of the most popular venues throughout the county in hopes of achieving this All Star Effect. On February 18 at the Hollywood House of Blues Roc Nation’s All Stars Wale and J. Cole put on a show that would rival any performance made on the hardwood.
Performing material off of All About Nothing Mixtape and Attention Deficit, Wale, backed by his band UCB, set the tone with his highly energetic and crowd-focused performance. Despite the H.O.B. being an intimate venue, Wale made it clear that he never felt comfortable with the distance. Throughout his set, he would make his way to the photography pit and rhyme while leaning over the barrier that separated him from his frenzied fans. However, this proved not to satisfy Wale either as he leapt over the barrier, followed quickly by a very large security guard, to perform “No Hands” in a sea of fans. After he returned to the stage, he brought the fans to him. Flanked on both sides by some of the lovely ladies in attendance, Wale performed their anthem, “Pretty Girls.” From remixes such as “Black and Yellow (Tomlin Remix)” to his “Chillin” Gaga collaboration, Wale’s dedication to rock the show with his energy and words as much as his passion for being near his fans set the tone and energy level for the rest of the night.
Rhyming over Kanye’s “Here’s to the Roc,” Roc Nations newest ambassador brilliantly picked up right where Wale left off. While energy and proximity defined Wale’s set, first time collaborations and surprise guests defined J.Cole’s. Backed by a DJ Dummy and a keyboard player, J.Cole worked his way through material from his Friday Night Lights Mixtape along with other fan favorites from his catalogue. Midway through his set, J. Cole asked the audience if he could take them back. He then briefly took over the duties of playing the keyboard, which lead into \”Lights Please,\”What sets J. Cole a part from most artists is his understanding of timing. He knows how to set up a song in his set; he knows when the music should be cut, so he can rock an acapella verse, and he knows how to take an already energized crowd and make them go ballistic. Working his way through tracks such as “Who Dat,” “When I’m Gone,” and “You Got It,” J.Cole was joined by Roc Nation alumnus Melanie Fiona and Wale to perform, for the first time, \”Beautiful Bliss.\” However, it was the follow up to this song that could easily be described as the moment of the night. As the applause of the crowd for “Beautiful Bliss” were interrupted by the first few bars from \”In The Morning,\” thoughts of a possible appearance by a certain Young Money artist could not be helped, but as soon as Drake took the stage for his verse for this all star collaboration, fans lost it. Despite his age, J.Cole has the insight of a seasoned vet when it comes to working the crowd and putting on a show that leaves fans satisfied and excited for the next show. J. Cole may not be Jay-Z, but as he walked off stage with the diamond in the air, you couldn’t help think that maybe he really is the closest thing to him.
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