Live Review: Drake, 2Chainz, P Reign

Not many rappers can leave girls weeping in hysterics like bobbysoxers, but the way in which Drake swings his charm over his audience it’s a wonder there aren’t more broken hearts by the end of his rapture.

P-Reign opens the night with 15 minutes to brush through his Dear America EP with most people recognising Realest In The City and Camera. DJ Sudd spins a trappier soundtrack to entice Tru’s 2Chainz, who also has too short a time to play, out on stage. He strolls through the trap with Flexin’ On My Baby Mama, I’m Different and Feds Watching and whisking past his verse to Birthday Song. Ironically, it’s DJ Snake’s Turn Down For What that takes this party up a level in readiness for something grander.

The lights switch off at 21.20, after an hour’s interval. Canadian crooner Drake skips out and stands by the mic in basic grey jeans, black tee and Jordan 3s. Then he smiles. Tonight he’s welcomed with an hysterical and deafening ovation. After We Made It drops, booming salutes from pyrotechnics flares up behind him and in front of a 50-foot OVO Owl on video screen, it’s apparent this is a performance presented only by those of the industry elite. In his short yet illustrious career, Drake has indeed arrived. After six years of separation, Brisbane embraces him tonight and for some, in uncontrollable ways.

He introduces himself, smiles again and off go the screams, again. He breaks into his verse from Miguel’s If They Only Knew and visits old tune Best I Ever Had as he strides the deep stage he has to himself, his DJ pushed to the left and drummer and keyboardist to the right. And he owns his real estate like a boss, sharing briefly with OVO Sound’s, OB O’Brien, just to show off their TOP SZN hand sign and freestyle a few bars. The Motto drops and after asking what day it is, Drake requests everyone to rewind two days for Tuesday.

The moment of the night arrives when Drizzy takes the cable lift to a centre podium for Hold On, We’re Going Home, where he strings out the song’s succulent beat to charm each section of the audience sitting in his palm. 2 Chainz jumps back with him for All Of Me and it all ends on Started From the Bottom - just to let you know he’s no longer there.