No floor seats were needed for Billion Dollar Baby Show
By Jessica Salinas, music reviewer
(Lincoln, Neb.) The impending threat of COVID-19 (coronavirus) did not keep determined DaBaby fans away from Pinnacle Bank Arena Wednesday. Fans flocked to the arena to see the 28-year-old rapper from Charlotte, NC perform in Nebraska.
DaBaby performed to standing room only in the pit full of Gen Zers and Millennials anticipating a raucous night of hiphop. The simplistic rectangular stage was adorned by two small screens on each side that promoted each performers Instagram name. The stage would later be transformed to a movie set near the end of the show.
The arena went dark and DaBaby came out at 10:10 p.m. performing “Suge” from his 2019 debut studio album Baby on Baby. The hip-hop artist stomped onto the stage with tan combat boots, wearing bright orange sweats, a plain white T-shirt. He started the song:
“Pooh, you a fool for this one
Ha
Oh lord, Jetson made another one”
DaBaby’s accessories were excessively worn around his neck, arms and fingers. A ‘Kirk’ chain bedazzled from around his neck while his wrists dripped in diamonds from watches, chains and bracelets.
DaBaby was accompanied by dancers in his second song “Baby Sitter.” The dancers came out in a nightmarish cartoonish oversized inflatable baby costumes. Dancing and amping up the crowd with there energetic dance moves.
DaBaby performed for a “sold-out crowd”- keep in mind that no upper bowl tickets were sold. DaBaby went to Instagram to boast about it. DaBaby asked for fans to turn on flash to be while he tried to connect on Instagram for his viral moment. “Do we got service in this b**** I got Verizon” the rapper said when he couldn’t connect to the social media platform. Still, he made the video and posted it later that night.
“It’s my first time in Nebraska!” DaBaby yelled to the crowd to get them fired up. Later joking about a handful of coronavirus cases confirmed Nebraska. “Someone go backstage and get my mask,” he said lightheartedly, before performing “Intro.”
Later in the set, the stage converged to a movie set and DaBaby’s crew showcased a luxurious spa chair while he sat back and performed “Toes.” He enjoyed a faux pedicure as a female dancer mimicked a nail technician.
As speedy as DaBaby’s rap, the road crew transformed the stage for “Really.” Showcased was a shiny silver stripper pole and red velvet rope to give a night club vibe. DaBaby asked for volunteers 21 and older; multiple fans obliged. This prompted a handful of female followers to jump over a security blockage causing safety concerns for DaBaby’s security team. The volunteers who made it onstage, however, danced with the artist as he performed and threw fake cash in the air.
From the night club DaBaby took us to church for “Gospel.” The scenery changed to make it look like fans were in a chapel. Coming back on stage with a church robe as he rapped swiftly and quickly.
He took a sip from a bottle of alcohol and went into “Bop.” As quickly as the rapper arrived onstage he disappeared. DaBaby was off stage and the show was over. His high energy and charisma wowed the audience as they stood there confused as to what had just happened.
DaBaby openers were equally as energetic. Sk8 a performer from Omaha kicked off the show coming out a platinum jacket which he soon took off and asked the audience if any one smoked weed that night, he proceeded to light a joint and pass it along to a concert goer in the pit. As the crowed went crazy.
Sk8 was followed by Big Mali who came out with her impressive rapping skills almost defining the speed of sound. She turned Pinnacle Bank Arena into the Bellagio fountain for a few moment artistically swing a bottle of water getting concert goers wet.
Rich Dunk came out with an amazing hair-do. One dread was unforgettable having the crowd chanting “gas, gas.” Later joining DaBaby back-up on stage.
Stunna 4 Vegas had the crowed at his feet performing “Animal” and a couple other hits. At one time he was swing a couple of bras while performing after he asked women over 21 to throw there bustiers on stage.
Sheck Wes adorned a red Cornhusker hoodie stoking the crowd for the headliner. The throng roared to its feet. Sheck advised his groupies to “follow your dreams, if your in school stay in that process unless you have something better to-do.”
The evening of intense rap and dancing left the crowd abuzz with the sound of bass ringing in their bones and lyrics racing through their brains. For a few hours, at least, the fans escaped the fears of the growing COVID-19 pandemic that made its way to UNO, Nebraska public schools, and the state’s businesses a day later.
