Connecticut is in for a thrilling summer concert season as Xfinity Theater gears up to host big time rappers: Migos, Kendrick Lamar and Sir Robert Bryson Hall II, known by his stage name Logic, and they are just some of the celebrities in line to perform.
I write this with antsy excitement because I will see first-hand how all of these performers measure up to their albums while performing live.
Migos, an all American hip hop trio composed of three rappers known by their stage names Quavo, Offset and Takeoff, are the first major group to ascend the Xfinity stage. On May 18, the group is set to perform after rappers Russ and Bazi open for them.
The group released their debut single “Versace” in 2013 and went on to release several singles featured on the Billboard Hot 100 including “Bad and Boujee” (2016), peaking at No. 1, “MotorSport” (with Nicki Minaj and Cardi B) (2017), peaking at No. 6, and “Stir Fry” (2017), peaking at No. 8.
Excitement around their May performance is building as tickets are rapidly dwindling since going on sale. “I’m super excited to see them perform live, those concerts are always fun,” said junior Maeve McDonald.
Migos was supposed to perform last year; however, they didn’t show. This year many teens are hoping that they perform as scheduled. “I’m super excited because they didn’t go last year, and I was really looking forward to it,” senior Skylar Barron said. “I am also really excited because Russ is performing there too, and he is one of my favorite artists EVER.”
Less than a month after Migos performs, rapper and songwriter Kendrick Lamar will hit the stage in one of the most anticipated concerts of the summer. An activist through his music, Kendrick conveys deep topics and themes concerning social justice. “Kendrick raps about systems of oppression, inequalities in wealth and how black people are treated in the US; overall, he talks about black self esteem,” said Dean of Students Will Gilyard.
Lamar gives voice to the voiceless and I, for one, am very excited to attend his Xfinity Debut on June. His album, “DAMN” is one of my favorites and touches on many injustices within the police force and the government against African Americans.
“DAMN” was released on April 14, 2017, and within days it received rave reviews, with a Rolling Stone writer describing it as a combination of “the old school and the next-level.” At the 60th Grammys, Lamar opened the show and went on to win five awards for his album “DAMN”: Best Rap Album, Best Rap performance, Best Rap Song, Best music Video and Best Rap/Sung performance all rightfully earned.
The album “DAMN” seemed to stir up a lot of conversation about the album being more than just something that sounds good. Any artist that can achieve that and sounds good at the same time has succeeded.
Not only does Lamar rap about things that actually matter, in my opinion he is great at what he does. “I like how his songs are more than just mumble rap and actually have meaning behind them,” senior Anthony Melody said.
Just three days after Lamar’s concert, a rising star among the rap world while still widely known is performing. While he certainly isn’t as famous as Lamar and Migos, Logic is gaining a giant fan base and for good reason.
He is on the come up, and his most recent album has some of my favorite songs. His most recent album “Bobby Tarantino II” is comprised of 13 songs and features guest appearances from 2 Chainz, Big Sean, and Wiz Khalifa.
When it seems like school is barely going by and summer is further away than ever, I just think about these talented artists coming to our very own state. Sooner than ever, the biggest names in the industry will be around the corner performing live!
