There will come a time in everyone’s life where they come across an event, an activity, opportunity, etc that they will possibly only have one chance to achieve and make happen, and they are aware that this moment is something that they may never get a chance to experience again, or if so, not to the full extent of if they did it at that very moment. This feeling, is what summed up my motivation to make my road trip to Tampa.
What was in Tampa you may ask? Oh only the greatest rap duo of all time.
Anyone who considers themselves to be a respectable Hip Hop head is aware that Outkast is currently doing a 20 yr reunion tour all over the United States of America (and Canada) and since they haven’t toured together since 2001? 2002? if you don’t see them sometime this year there’s no guarantee that you’ll ever get a chance to catch them on stage together ever again.
So when one of my friends approached me with these key words: “Road Trip? Tampa? Outkast?” My tickets were then bought with the very next paycheck.
Four months later I’m on the road to Tampa with four other guys, en route to make the most of an opportunity. Even if we’d never actually gotten to see Outkast perform, the amount of inside jokes and memories made along the way would’ve been worth it. Phrases like “You Ever Ate A Hot Dog?!” “Screaming Dill Pickles” and “Nuts Consolidation” (Do NOT Google that last one) will forever have a place in Road Trip History.
Fortunately, in addition to all those memories, and despite the rain, we actually did get to see Outkast perform live, and it was amazing.
As a fan of an artist, it’s easy to get caught up in the hype of seeing them live, especially when they’re performing your favorite songs, but it’s an entirely different thing when they are actually great live performers, which is never a guarantee.
Even if their set had been the “Pretty good for a decade apart” set that most of us witnessed at Coachella, I would’ve been satisfied. HOWEVER, they took the time out to perfect their set list during their almost year long tour and by the time April rolled around, that set list was tweaked to near perfection.
When you have hits on almost every album you’ve ever released, it can be easy to just roll through those and call it a show, but they put on a show for the fans, hits and fan favorites included. They did everything from “B.O.B.” and “Mrs Jackson” to “Crumblin Erb” and “SouthernPlayalistiCadillacMuzik” If you were the “Outkast? Omg I loved Speakerboxx/Love Below” fan then you were probably just awkwardly bobbing your head for most of the show until Andre decided to do “Hey Ya” and “Roses.”
I already spoke on why you should make an effort to see your favorite artist live, but if you’re an Outkast fan, find a show that’s coming to your area and take the time out to go watch them live, or maybe anyone other artist or group that you’ve really wanted to see perform live. You (probably) won’t regret it… Now if I could just get that confirmation on that G-Unit reunion concert…
P.S.- I also saw Chance the Rapper perform, who puts on an incredible show, assuming you’re a fan of his music.
P.P.S.- Also, had to add the video for International Player’s Anthem, just because.
