If you attend a show and find out at the venue that two of the three international acts are not making an appearance, naturally that would be cause for outrage.
That is what happened to those who attended the Adelaide leg of the 3Twenty Tour at Hindley Street Musical Hall last night (20 June). Yet, Xzibit and the cobbled-together support acts made sure Adelaide fans were still treated to a special performance.Celebrating 20 years of three monumental hip hop albums, iconic rappers Xzibit, Obie Trice and D12 teamed up to bring the celebration down under. Adelaide, being the first stop, though was met with a major a hiccup with Obie Trice and the D12 members stuck in transit from their Canadian tour.
Despite this, the show went on and did it ever go on. The Hindley Street Music Hall, one of Adelaide's newest venues, was turned into a massive party. With the bar serving specials involving some of the staple liqueurs like Alize, it felt like being transported back a hip hop club in the mid to late 2000s.
The eclectic crowd poured in, drinks were flowing and there was no doubt the Adelaide audience was ready to get down. Kicking off proceedings was Obie Trice's DJ, DJ Jones and MC D THE FUTURE, honouring the missing Detroit rappers with a special Detroit vs Everybody set.
Spinning hits from legendary Detroit artists such as D12, Obie and of course, Eminem, the duo had the room heating up instantly. D THE FUTURE was a class act, getting into the crowd and awarding those singing along with merchandise. He had everybody eating out the palm of his hand as DJ Jones lined up banger after banger.
Of course, the room erupted when some Eminem classics were spun. The best part? These two paid homage to Adelaide and really showed love. A few punters got a little rowdy, with one stealing D THE FUTURE's hat, but upon its return, the MC turned it into another audience participation moment.
Demrick - image © Mike Lockheart
Wasting no time between acts, LA-based rapper Demrick was the next to step up to the plate. With experience opening for Xzibit throughout Canada, the Washington State native knew he had a big job ahead of him.
Luckily enough, Demrick took the bat and hit the set out of the park. His uplifting material got the place jumping and with a flow that suited the mood just right, he took the chance to make the show his own.
Blending positive vibes with a gritty attitude, the young gun certainly made his name with the Adelaide fans and I'm sure we will be hearing more of him in the future. Even though the two opening sets were not the legends we were promised, they did get the place heated up and the crowd ready for the main event: Xzibit.
Across the screen, an intro video played that felt like a throwback to 'Pimp My Ride' and this is when the room really erupted. As the man himself took the stage, with footage of him from over the last 20 years, it hit me that we were in the room with a legend.
Xzibit - image © Mike Lockheart
Busting in with the classic hit 'Symphony In X Major', hands were up and the vibes were immaculate. From there, there was no slowing down. Joined by Demrick, Xzibit flowed seamlessly into hit after hit.
A smile beaming across his face, the hip hop veteran was truly in his element. Getting the crowd moving and singing along, he owned the stage with precision. Taking moments to shout out his fellow performers and those who he has worked with over the years, he revelled in the celebration of his career.
Xzibit - image © Mike Lockheart
Telling us gleefully how he grew back his braids, he took moments at every turn to entice the rambunctious crowd into participating in the set. Xs in the air and showing love, there were unfortunate moments where some members of the crowd got a little too boisterous – but after they were promptly kicked out, Xzibit continued with a classy performance.
Showing an essence of both humbleness but also mastery, it was an absolute pleasure to witness. As he finished, he was begged by the Adelaide punters for an encore – which he promptly delivered.
Short, sweet and tight, he showed everybody just why he has been able to last 20-plus years in this game. While it was not the show that was promised, it was memorable.
Xzibit - image © Mike Lockheart
Being able to step in and fill the spaces left by Obie Trice and D12 is no easy feat, but the team made it work. Hopefully the rest of the tour is able to run smoothly, because if it is any better than what was experienced at the Adelaide tour opener, then it will tear the absolute roof off.
More photos from the concert.
