J. Cole and Wale proved that there is still a viable market for new hip-hop stars with the release of their latest albums. J. Cole’s Born Sinner and Wale’s Gifted both spent time at the top of the charts this summer and sold well considering today’s music climate. It was fitting that the two collaborated for the “What Dreams May Come” tour.
The tour recently made a stop in Atlanta where the two emcees were headliners at the Fox Theater. Wale entered the stage first and maintained high energy throughout his 45-minute set. Backed by a band, Wale opened with songs “Slight Work,” “Ambition,” “5 Blunts,” and “Legendary.”
The D.C.-based rapper took things up a notch by jumping into the crowd and walking through the audience as he performed “Pretty Girls,” and the strip-club theme “Clappers.” He slowed things down a bit with hip-hop ballads such as “Dice Pinapples,” “Bad,” and “Lotus Flower Bomb.” Wale closed his set with “Bait.”
After a brief intermission, J. Cole entered the stage with a more elaborate set and theme. His performance opened with a video of a pseudo news report that showed J. Cole in a coma after a violent car crash. J. Cole revealed himself at the top of the stairs as if he has arrived in heaven or hell. Throughout the entire show, J. Cole was in character as he searched for his way out of the dream state.
Backed by a band, two back-up singers and a DJ, J. Cole opened with “Land of Snakes,” “Blow Up,” and “Nobody’s Perfect.” With red lights and smoke on the stage, the theme of the show became darker as he performed “Runaway,” “Forbidden Fruit,” and “Lit.”
The pearly gates were shown on a big screen as a previously recorded voice over by Nas provided advice to J. Cole. He soon transitioned out of the dark place and performed “Born Sinner,” “Kenny Lofton,” and “Chris Tucker.”
On “Chris Tucker,” J. Cole ranted about being prejudged by a white woman on a airplane. Because he is tall and black, the white woman assumed that he was basketball player. J. Cole then revealed his credentials as a college grad who earned Magna Cum Laude honors.
J. Cole closed his set with his hits “Crooked Smile,” and “Power Trip.”
Although Drake and Kendrick Lamar garner much of the attention when it comes to hip-hop’s new class, J. Cole and Wale prove there worth and stand out in rap’s crowded arena.
