Hip Hop icons Wu-Tang Clan and Nas announced their legendary co-headlining NY State of Mind tour back in April. Produced by Live Nation, the 25-city tour kicked off at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in St. Louis, MO, and landed in Tampa, FL on Wednesday night at the MidFlorida Credit Union Amp. Joining the festivities was East Coast rapper Busta Rhymes.
Considered by many to be the greatest hip-hop group of all time, Wu-Tang Clan have been touring as a unit since their debut record, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) came out in 1993. The now triple-platinum release vaulted the New York City group with songs like “C.R.E.A.M.” (Cash Rules Everything Around Me) and “Protect Ya Neck”.
Their live sets are a family affair, with every member of the crew representing their lyrical contributions to the Wu’s eight studio albums, as well as notable cuts from the Wu-Tang solo discography. With the omnipresent Wu-Tang “W” flanking all angles of the stage, there’s a familiarity to Wu-Tang Clan’s music that gives their shows unique mass appeal. Whether they’re delivering tracks from GZA’s seminal Liquid Swords and Raekwon’s mafioso-minded Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…, or honoring the legacy of their departed brother, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, every Wu-Tang Clan show is a celebration of prolific careers as individuals and especially as the most storied group in hip-hop history.
Wednesday night was no different as the rappers made their grand entrances; Rza then Gza then Inspectah Deck, then Raekwon, followed by Ghostface, Cappadonna, Master Killer, and U-God. Wu-Tang then gave way to Nas who was followed by Busta Rhymes.
Remaining Tour Dates
Thu Sep 22 – Atlanta, GA – Lakewood Amphitheatre
Sat Sep 24 – Houston, TX – Toyota Center
Sun Sep 25 – Austin, TX – Germania Insurance Amphitheater
Mon Sep 26 – Dallas, TX – Dos Equis Pavilion
Thu Sep 29 – Phoenix, AZ – Ak-Chin Pavilion
Fri Sep 30 – Irvine, CA – FivePoint Amphitheatre
Sat Oct 01 – Oakland, CA – Oakland Arena
Sun Oct 02 – Wheatland, CA – Toyota Amphitheatre
Tue Oct 04 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Bow