‘Young, Wild & Free’ fans were primed to ‘Drop It Like It’s Hot’ for Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa during a July tour stop in Grand Rapids — Local Spins’ 17th most popular story of the year.
The Shiznit: Snoop Dogg holding court at Van Andel Arena on Tuesday. (Photo/Chelsea Whitaker)
EDITOR’S NOTE: No. 17 on our Top 20 countdown of top stories of the year was the Local Spins review of the July 25 tour stop by Snoop Dogg, Wiz Khalifa and Ying Yang Twins at Grand Rapids’ Van Andel Arena. Scroll down for a photo gallery.
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No, the smoke hovering over Grand Rapids on Tuesday didn’t come solely from the Canadian wildfires.
After all, hip hop’s Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa — with special guests the Ying Yang Twins — did their best to contribute to that, uh, smoke in their own sizzling way on Tuesday during a Grand Rapids tour stop at Van Andel Arena.
The pair delivered an unforgettable barrage of gangsta rap, hip hop and trap rap.
Wiz Khalifa took the stage after crowd-pleasing opening sets by the Ying Yang Twins and DJ Blackbeard. Bringing his son on stage and singing fan favorites such as “Black and Yellow,” Khalifa had everyone on their feet and ready to greet Snoop Dogg.
Rap Reunion: Wiz Khalifa (Photo/Chelsea Whitaker)
From the opening salvo of “The Next Episode,” Snoop Dogg had the audience singing along, with the iconic 51-year-old California iconic rapper also unleashing some classic ’90s tracks as well as newer songs from “Gin and Juice” and rapping his verse in Katy Perry’s “California Gurls.”
The performance also incorporated a tribute to the late and legendary Tupac, with Snoop Dogg inducing the crowd to repeat the lines, “We love you, Tupac. We miss you, Tupac.”
“This is my second time seeing Wiz and Snoop at one of their High School Reunion shows,” said fan Kuzari Olushola from Grand Rapids. “It’s an experience. They always bring it.”
And bring it they did.
Following Snoop Dogg’s solo performance, he retreated back stage only to return with Khalifa for a few final tear-jerking, fist-bumping songs.
The duo sang “See You Again,” which included an in-memoriam for rappers, musicians and other celebrities who’ve lost their lives. This accolade seamlessly transitioned into their finale, “Young, Wild & Free,” putting an energetic exclamation point on a memorable evening of rap.
PHOTO GALLERY: Snoop Dogg, Wiz Khalifa, Ying Yang Twins at Van Andel Arena
Photos by Chelsea Whitaker
