LIVE PERFORMANCE REVIEWS
Game, Snoop fuse "The Bomb"
Richard Foster
Many eager young people were seen filing into the Rose Garden in Portland, OR on Friday May 27, like fire ants down a hole. Why? So they could get lit … lit like Snoop Dogg’s lighter before he took a hit off a joint passed onstage to him by a fan.
Friday, Snoop Dogg and The Game lit up the thousands of people who came in droves to see one of the most anticipated and poorly named concerts to come to Portland in a while. It was “The Bomb,” sponsored by the local “hip hop” station.
This “Bomb” started off like anything but, of course, Snoop and Game were the headliners and the under card seemed adequate, though I didn’t recognize some of the names. Cassidy, the Ying Yang twins, Ciara, Pretty Ricky and Mashonda filled out the nights scheduled agenda; “Scheduled” because the Ying Yang twins and Cassidy “missed their flights.”
However, Snoop and Game made the concert well worth the last-minute shortened roster, like a clutch athlete coming through when they were needed.
Game’s performance was good, but not spectacular. He came out looking all pimp like, dawning a Nick Van Exel Trail Blazers throwback, a Trail Blazers hat, two bandanas, and pants that were falling to the floor (much to the chagrin of the ladies).
He spent little time getting into his music and making sure the crowd got involved singling out people and asking for requests and then refusing to do some (songs featuring 50 Cent). Though Game would give in and do all requested songs, he refused to let 50 Cent’s voice to be heard, doing 50’s parts on the tracks himself and letting the audience do his own parts. And taking time to diss G-Unit’s members and show his distaste with his experiences with said group, he altered a few lines from some of his more popular songs, “Ain’t fuckin’ with G-Unit ‘cause you know the drama they bring,” and from another “GGGGG-UNOT!”
Then, in a song “Start from scratch,” The Game decided to get drunk on stage, downing two bottles of champagne and taking in a few puffs from a spliff. Once inebriated, Game began to perform his song, stopped because it was too emotional, tried to “Start from scratch,” and couldn’t perform again because of his emotions. A gimmick? I think so. Lame? I think so.
Game would continually pump up the audience, and show his respect to legends Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac Shakur. All-in-all, I wasn’t too impressed, but did enjoy his performance.
Next up, Snoop, who came out in classic Snoop fashion walking down an aisle of pot plants and announcing, “I quit smoking… for a minute.” He then went into classic Snoop songs from a decade ago, such as “Gin and Juice,” “What’s my Name,” “Ain’t Nuthin but a G Thang,” etc. He even ended the night with some new stuff, including the ever-so-popular “Drop it like it’s hot.”
His performance impressed me because, for one, it was S-N-Double O P D-O Double G, and also because he knew how to work the crowd much better. He seemed to be having more fun and was less in-your-face.
Though I will say his pornographic gimmicks from WBALLZ Radio on the big screen were a little tired, it was just a bunch of scantly dressed women fondling themselves and trying to be sexy … and yes, I said trying.
Snoops performance involved DPG as well, and let’s not forgets his 60-year old uncle dancing on stage.
Oh how great it was.
If only the whole night went like that.
The aforementioned Cassidy and the Ying Yang twins were MIA, but the show went on. Mashonda led off the night, and like a good lead off hitter lacking support, she took one for the team. She came out lacking energy, performed two songs and bolted off stage before her music could completely fade out.
Next up was Pretty Ricky. I had never heard of them, but my girlfriend and Mr. Brown had assured me they were pretty good, so I went in with an open mind, which was a good thing, because I was pleasantly surprised. Pretty Ricky showed a lot of energy, looked as if they wanted to be up there and had good crowd involvement; they worked the entire stage, stayed as a group, and even pulled a fan onstage while maintaining their harmony. Nice job boys.
Ciara then came out to do her one-two step and show off her goodies. Well, that was about all she did, though I did like the fact she thanked her fans over and over (something that has become a lost art over the years). So to recap, Ciara had a nice performance – she danced very well, had a head set and a microphone but didn’t sing much, which I thought was the purpose of her album.
Other than a 10 minute dance performance by a local hip hop dance crew, the night went off without any hitches and the Bomb concert remained undentonated.
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