Muktaru Jalloh
Staff Writer
In front of a sold-out crowd of fans, Maryland-born MC Logic brought “The Incredible World Tour” to the National, one of Richmond’s premier concert venues.
Richmond was the second-to-last stop on the tour promoting Logic’s latest album “The Incredible True Story,” which he released in November, 2015.
Under Def Jam and the Visionary Music Group imprint, Logic has released two critically acclaimed albums with his debut, “Under Pressure,” which he released in 2014.
“The Incredible True Story” debuted No. 3 on the charts and has since sold nearly 200,000 copies. The album details a sci-fi motion picture storyline where Logic travels into the future to a new world. The album has been well received by critics and his fans alike.
Lines for the show at the National began as early as 9 a.m., with fans waiting patiently in hopes at gaining front row access to the show. Logic is known to have a cult-like following of dedicated supporters, including Alex Valdez.
Valdez, who was one of the first in line, said he has attended several tour stops including North Carolina and San Francisco on the tour’s U.S. run. With plans to see Logic before the show in a meet-and-greet, Valdez brought a brand new Playstation 4 controller with him to give to the rapper, who’s an avid gamer.
When doors opened at 8 p.m., fans flocked through the main doors and charged for the merchandise tables. The tour’s opener, Las Vegas rapper Dizzy Wright, promptly gave a performance featuring a medley of songs including ones off his latest album “Wisdom and Good Vibes.”
After Wright’s set, Logic’s tour DJ took to the stage to hype up the crowd for “Young Sinatra” (one of Logic’s many monikers). A wizard on the turntables, DJ Rhetorik mixed old and new Logic records and also played some of the hottest songs in hip-hop.
Rhetorik, a Virginia native, recounted fond memories of DJing several parties at VCU. He also spoke of the times he would sleep on friends’ couches in Richmond during his plight to become a distinguished DJ.
A little after 9:30 p.m., the LED stage board displayed a countdown with an animation of someone’s journey through space. At its conclusion, Logic, sporting a space suit, ran out on stage to his song “Fade Away.” In addition to the suit the stage featured a wall displaying various graphics, images and video of space and animated shows.
“Richmond, I’m so happy to be here tonight. I represent one thing and one thing only: Peace, love and positivity,” Logic told the crowd.
Speaking on the show’s positive atmosphere, Logic repeatedly asked the crowd if they were okay throughout the night and urged them to take care of their fellow fans around them. He also took time to engage with several fans in the crowd.
After seeing one fan holding a Rubik’s cube, Logic extended his hand and took the puzzle, solving it behind his back while freestyling. He also recognized two fans who were celebrating their birthdays at the show and directed the crowd to sing to them.
After a brief intermission, Logic appeared on stage without the space suit and performed some of his older works such as “5AM” and “I’m Gone.”
Logic, who has said he’s inspired by the techniques of legendary rappers such as pre-”Reasonable Doubt”-JAY Z, Eminem and Busta Rhymes, is known for his fast-paced, multiple syllable rhymes.
Before concluding his headlining set with fan-favorite “Never Been,” Logic spoke directly with the crowd about pursuing their dreams and realizing their talents.
“I just wanna tell you, you can do anything you wanna do as long as you say ‘I’m gonna do it,’” Logic told the crowd. “I wasn’t always a rapper. I was on welfare, food stamps and in poverty but I did it. So can you.”
After walking off the stage, the crowd chanted his name and called for an encore. He obliged and ended the night with “City of Stars,” asking the crowd to light up the room with their phone flashlights and lighters.
The international leg of the tour begins Tuesday, April 19 in London, England.
Staff Writer, Muktaru Jalloh
Muktaru is a senior double majoring in English and political science with a minor in media studies. Topic areas Muktaru enjoys covering include music, sports, pop culture and politics. // Twitter | Facebook