The Legends of Hip Hop tour is like a living Spotify playlist made up of some of the more influential Rap artists of the past 30 years. It also serves as a great exhibition of localized Hip Hop scenes from that same time period.
Representing the Bay Area are E-40 and Too Short. Too Short rose to prominence in the late ’80s, became involved in the Southern Hip Hop scene at the turn of the century and collaborated with a wide range of artists throughout his career — from Tupac Shakur to Lady Gaga.
Memphis’ 8Ball & MJG are two of the most respected rappers to ever emerge from the South; the duo has two entries — Comin’ Out Hard and On Top of the World — on Complex’s Best Rap Albums of the ’90s list.
Along with his solo work, Houston MC Scarface became a Hip Hop legend with the Geto Boys and is considered one of the best lyricists to ever hold a mic.
Rounding out the Legends of Hip Hop Cincinnati tour stop is another Texan, Bun B (who rose to prominence as one half of the duo UGK), Atlanta’s Pastor Troy and New Orleans’ Mystikal, who broke through to the mainstream in 2000 with his James Brownian hit “Shake Ya Ass.”
Some of the artists in the lineup have worked together in the past, so don’t be surprised to see some onstage crossover throughout the night.
8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4. $63-$129. U.S. Bank Arena, 100 Broadway, Downtown, usbankarena.com.
