Concerts Events

Ludacris, Ja Rule, Ashanti, Lloyd & Fat Joe Shut Down Los Angeles On The Pain Is Love Tour

October 1, 2017

Saturday, September 30

September 30 marks the long-awaited Pain Is Love Tour at The Microsoft Theater in downtown Los Angeles. I kid you not, I had this in my planner like six months ago when it was announced. I am the definition of extra. It was around the time Ja Rule and Ashanti were touring, and then touring again, and then performing at festivals... you get it. No lie, I must have seen them 6x this year alone. The money be coming in.

But still. They’re so fucking good live. And plus Ludacris headlining? Here for it. This was literally a bill of the biggest R&B and Hip Hop hitmakers from the early 2000s: Ludacris, Ja Rule & Ashanti, Fat Joe, Foxy Brown, Lloyd, Da Brat, and Lil’ Mo. FINALLY, a show where I wasn’t surrounded by babies. I swear the Vic Mensa show had me in my feelings lmao.

Speaking on feelings, my plus one bailed at the last possible second. I was legit upset. Like, literally as I got there, I got the text. #1 rule with me, don’t bail. Or if you do, give me a days’ notice. Beyond hating going to shows solo, I just can’t stand when a ticket goes to waste. ESPECIALLY if it’s a media pass/credential. I was covering for work. It could have gone to another outlet that could have really benefited from it. But anyways. I panicked and asked everyone I knew who lived downtown to come meet me. I was in such a shitty mood.

And then I ran into some people I knew and snapped right out of it. I hate that I get upset over the littlest things. Like, there’s so much more to life lmao. The live music alone should have been enough. But I was more upset that I was lied to. Like, not only did I wait outside for 30 minutes, but this chick lied to my face. I caught her. I hope she reads this. I’m petty like that lmao. RANT OVER. ASHANTI IS BAE. One of the greatest female R&B singers to ever do it.

She performed “The Way That I Love You” before giving us a show to remember. Let the twerking commence. “Rake It Up” by Yo Gotti and Nicki Minaj was absolutely so perfect (minus me being team Dolph lmao). Her and Ja Rule did their usually switching off on the main stage. I got to catch Lil Mo and her bright blue hair when Ja Rule brought her back out. He also brought out Fat Joe for “New York.” That East Coast swag. Next, Ashanti brought back out Lloyd for “Southside.” Hands down the most nostalgic, romantic R&B song from my childhood. At this felt, I felt dumb for being so shitty earlier. This was such a positive vibe and everyone in the venue was having the best night of their life. Thank God for music.

Everyone knew all the words to “Foolish,” “Mesmerize and “Always On Time.” These are gems that you can play at any time of day and they’ll still hit the spot.

By the middle of Luda’s set, I recruited my babygirl Dulce who ended up making my entire evening. Seriously, she saved me tonight. I was waiting for her in the lobby to upload the videos when all of a sudden I hear Luda on the mic. Thank goodness I was wearing flats because I literally ran back inside for “Welcome To Atlanta” by Jermaine Dupri. That has to be top 20 Hip Hop songs of all time. And then “Southern Hospitality” with Pharrell. Wow.

By this time, it’s like 12:30am. People were heading out because the show was long. But Luda is GOAT. This was worth every second. He definitely let the crowd know his worth, and that he has sold over 20 million records. Truth be told, he has every right to brag. He’s iconic. He shouted out all the area codes of LA (213, 323, 310) before dropping “Area Codes.” He also shouted out every female in the room, every race, before dropping “Ho.” We were so hyped, as was the rest of the audience. These were timeless hits.

Who remembers “Splash Waterfalls”??? Ratchet, but so good. Next, Luda dropped his verse on Usher’s “Yeah!” and performed “Money Maker.” Heaven. The song that REALLY changed my life though:
“Blueberry Yum Yum.” One of my most memorable stoners songs from back in the day. He brought out this life-size joint to the stage. I fucking loved it. Between this and the huge Ludacris-faced mascot running around on stage, this set was epic.

The moment we’ve all been waiting for. The single that jumpstarted his career: “What’s Your Fantasy.” I thought he would play this last, but this was smack dab in the middle of his set. Speaking of, Luda kept bringing up that they were trying to kick him off stage. The entire evening was behind and he was supposed to be off by now, but he kept performing lmao. It was legit for the fans. He a real one for that.

“Stand Up,” “How Low,” DJ Khaled’s “All I Do Is Win,” and the grand finale: “MOVE BITCH.” Get out the way. My fav line ever: “I’m doing 100 on the highway… if you do the speed limit, get the FUCK outta my way.” Luda is GOAT.

Mood af.

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