Article and Photos by: KT Lafferty

Raleigh, NC – It was a trip down memory lane on Saturday night, September 13th, as 90s and 2000s hip-hop and R&B took over Coastal Credit Union Music Park in Raleigh. For over four hours, fans relived the past several decades of hit after hit thanks to the Where The Party At Tour.

The venue was full of nothing but good vibes and fond memories, and if you closed your eyes for a few minutes, you might think you were back in the club around the turn of the century. DJ Jay E kicked things off with a variety of hits that got the crowd amped up for what was sure to be a fun night. As one song switched to the next, you could definitely hear the yelling of “That’s my jam!” from the audience. Chingy was the first live artist to head to the stage, and the man did not disappoint. Covering songs that everyone knew like “One Call Away” and “Holidae Inn,” he set the tone for the rest of the night with his lyrical flow. And then came “Right Thurr.” The crowd was waiting for this moment, and Chingy just fed off their energy.

Next up was New York’s Ja Rule, and the man commanded the stage. The set started with an interesting intro — a video screen showing “the evolution of a dream” while Ja woke from a makeshift bed clad only in a pair of boxer shorts. He quickly got dressed and went to work cranking out hit after hit for the next hour. The signature rasp in his voice accompanied the lyrics that fans know and love, and hit after hit the crowd became more energized. He effortlessly flowed through “New York,” “Livin’ It Up,” and “Can I Get A…,” stopping only briefly as he directed concertgoers to throw up their middle fingers right along with him for all those who’ve done you wrong. Ja held his own on songs that are known as duets like “Between Me and You” and “Always On Time,” but took his energy to the crowd as he weaved up and down the aisles with fist bumps, never once missing a beat.

The between-set intermission continued with DJ Jay E pumping out more favs, and the crowd was so hyped up at this point that even between songs they couldn’t stop dancing. As the anticipation reached its limit, Nelly took to the stage accompanied by the St. Lunatics and a number of dancers. The enthusiasm was top tier, and as much as the audience fed off Nelly, he in turn fed off them too. It was give and take with each song. From the first notes of the tour’s signature hit “Where The Party At,” through other jams like the infectious “E.I.” and “Ride With Me,” the St. Louis superstar proved that he could still weave together a mix of R&B, pop, rap, and even country in his signature style. Singing along to every word of “Country Grammar” and “Hot In Herre,” one banger after another saw concertgoers of all ages having the time of their lives.

It was a pure night of nostalgia adorned with performers who were grateful for their audience, and a crowd full of people who were more than happy to sing and dance their hearts out right along with them.