The number 1 dropped me off in front of One Nationwide Plaza.
I walked into Nationwide Arena from One Nationwide Plaza.
Future addressed a packed arena in Columbus, Ohio who sang along with their favorite rapper.
Future commanded a stage in front of a large sculpture which adored the female body in pleasure.
I looked around, amazed at the amount of people who knew the words for Future’s “I Thought It was a Drought.”
The surroundings felt like I was in a nightclub except this was Nationwide Arena.
The music boomed.
People danced.
People bought overpriced drinks like they were @ the club.
I still had my buzz from UA Pub.
Future rocked Rocko’s U.O.E.N.O.
I started thinking: Future is bigger than any other ATL Trap Influenced rapper while Future performed, “Chosen One.”
As some point Future mentioned Rick James, While feeling like Rick James and resembling Rick James.
“Honest” feels “Honest” in an Andre 3000 rapport.
I heard Future play his collab with Drake “Where Ya At?”
The crowd could sing the Drake songs.
I don’t know if you’ve watched women sing line for line with a rapper.
It’s impressive in an arena, en masse.
I realized Drake is part of this but.. something else was working.
Future did let everyone party with Drake’s “Way 2 Sexy” which were followed with ATL’s Future rapper playing “Freak Hoes” and “Real Sisters”
I concluded the difference between Future and Trinidad James or Little Scrappy:
Outkast:
Future’s cousin is Rico Wade who produced Outkast.
Outkast were the combination of Native Tongues rapping and Dr. Dre’s musical soundscape.
Future sounds like he didn’t ignore his cousin’s music.
Future is still new.
“Drinkin And Smokin” had everyone helping Future with Lil Uzi Vert’s part.
That understanding of music sends Future into Prince, and Rick James understanding of music.
Future rocks trap music but visualizes within the history of music.
Future connects Rick James with Lil Uzi Vert with a feeling of wherever disco, booty house, and Miami bass would find Portishead and Model 500.
Rapped over this understanding of music is a textured delivery of persona.
Future sells relationships and sex with a feeling with a range trap music’s machismo doesn’t often relay.
As the show continued I realized Future’s catalog was filled with albums.
Yes Future killed the mixtape circuit.
Future looks at songwriting with melody and musicianship which Rocko didn’t.
Future’s catalog is filled with complete albums.
I ain’t clowning anyone.
I just knew Nationwide Arena was filled top to bottom.
I felt like we were at Gucci Mane’s local residence Club Ice….except Future’s Club Ice is where the Blue Jackets play NHL games.
The hits kept rolling..
“Fuck Up Some Commas” started a frenzy which found crescendo at 10 songs later at “Lick Back” and cuddled with the women in Nationwide Arena during “Turn on the Lights.” which parlayed with Rihanna’s “Love Song.”
Future sang “I Won” A song that features K. West.
You thought about Kanye West like you think about Michael Jackson.
Future is as big as Julius Irving or Lebron James these days.
Future had presence and audience of a rock star with someone which was still something ominous.
While everyone was bumping “Mask Off” after “Love You Better,” I contemplated “Mask Off’ which was release before anyone ever knew something like covid would occur.
Future’s timing is impeccable.
“Mask Off” felt like a celebration of naked face springtime 2023.
“March Madness” between “Mask Off’ and “Love You Better” felt like the Lady Bucks in the Elite Eight, Farleigh Dickinson upsetting Purdue, and Florida Atlantic’s name making you love Southern Rap.
Future ended with “Superhero” which felt apt and abrupt.
All though Future rocked 40 plus songs…Future left the entire Nationwide Arena wanting another song.
Future delivered “One Big Party.” While that sounds like a rap tour’s name, Future delivered one of hip hop’s fundamental promises.
Future determined all party people in the house were barracked, shocked and amazed.
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