Ryan ChartrandThe word on the street was the show would be big, but nothing prepared me for what took place April Fool’s night. Bay Area rapping legend E-40 headlined a show at The Graduate, and I would’ve been a fool not to check it out.
Standing for what seemed like forever in a line that put Disneyland rides to shame, I was finally greeted at the door by security guards with an intrusive frisk and inventory check. Heightened alert would be an understatement, but since a drive-by shooting happened near the same place just days before, I had no qualms about being groped.
Past security, patrons formed another, slightly smaller line at the bar while opening acts prepped the crowd for what was to come. After impressive performances by local groups The 40oz. Freaks and Public Defendaz, a brief intermission was called for a welcomed breather.
Finally, the lights dimmed and bass filled the room. A posse of back-up singers and rappers took the stage, and then split to give way to the unmistakable figure of E-40. The crowd roared with approval, and E-40 immediately started by delivering old-school crowd favorites that everyone knew and loved.
Within minutes the temperature rose to what felt like 50 degrees. The air became thick with the aroma of sweat and smoke. People, packed together like sardines in a can, jumped in unison to the beats. It felt like the floor might give way at any moment.
After pummeling the crowd with his signature flows, E-40 took a break to shout out to fans and get the crowd even more pumped than before. Incidentally, UFC fighter Chuck Liddell, who was in attendance, joined 40 onstage for a hug and handshake, much to the delight of fans. Unfortunately, fans didn’t get to hear The Iceman bust a rhyme, but that’s probably asking too much anyway.
E-40 then picked back up with some of his newer jams. Every song was a crowd-pleaser; it was like listening to a “best of” album. Throughout the last few songs, more and more fans joined the stage to sing and dance. By the final song, the stage resembled the worlds’ biggest house party with scantily clad ladies and male hip-hoppers shaking their tails alongside E-40.
Straight up, this show was just plain awesome. In the past, big-name rappers who’ve performed in San Luis Obispo have disappointed fans with lackluster performances. I can remember rappers arriving hours late or too drunk to perform – or, more often, both. Maybe they don’t take San Luis Obispo seriously? Who knows.
But this was the exact opposite. E-40 brought his A-game to San Luis Obispo, and his performance was on point. He effectively renewed my faith in rap concerts and reminded fans of just how intense a live show can be.
Perhaps Jason Carmicheal, who drove from Morro Bay and took the day after off work to see the show, said it best when he yelled, “That show was %&$#@ sick!”
I couldn’t have said it better myself.