Juicy J Poses For The Party

Juicy J w/ Belly and Project Pat
Neptune Theatre, Seattle, WA
01.30.17

There was no shortage of personality on stage when Memphis rapper Juicy J came to town. For his “Rubba Band Business: The Tour,” presented by cannabis lifestyle media company, Merry Jane, the artist drew in a youthful crowd of party-ready people to light up Seattle’s historic Neptune Theatre. Pun 100% intended.

The night kicked off with Project Pat – Juicy J’s brother – the rawest of the night’s performances. The stage was dark, he and his hype man King Ray, paraded back and forth, trading vocals for a half hour set that got the crowd plenty pumped. There were multiple photographers and videographers running around on stage, and Pat at one point grabbed a camera for a first person view. Highlight of the set? Probably when he broke out 2011 track, “Pills, Weed, & Pussy,” a song that was recorded with Juicy J, and that the entire crowd seemed to know. They waved their hands in the air, screaming the lyrics back at the stage. Pat also brought a couple ladies up on stage who didn’t hesitate to offer their most “video-girl” moves to the fans.

Then the stage filled with thick smoke, red and green lights flooding the room, as Toronto’s Belly took the stage. A frequent collaborator with The Weeknd, the rapper has his own smooth, playful delivery live on stage. He wore a black satin bomber jacket emblazoned with “Inzombia,” the title of the latest in his string of successful mix tapes, released in November 2016.

Belly’s dark, vivid tracks came alive as the artist jumped and spun across the stage, giving it his all. His personality came through in spades. Fans in the balcony got up and danced as the rapper came through with hot tracks like “Consuela” and “White Girls,” featuring Travis Scott, off Belly’s 2015 Roc Nation debut, Up For Days.

And finally, after a short break, it was time for Juicy J himself. The video screen lit up, smoke filled the room, and the Memphis rapper came out in full regalia. Dressed in a sparkly, spangly bomber jacket, a red Louis Vuitton scarf draped over his head, dramatically torn denim, and shiny sunglasses, Juicy J displayed a can’t-ignore-me personality. An original founding member of Southern hip hop group Three 6 Mafia, Juicy J has been making quite a name for his solo work over the last six years.

Collaborating with the likes of Lil Wayne, Wiz Khalifa, Nicki Minaj, and even bringing home awards for his work on Katy Perry’s “Dark Horse,” Juicy J has been hard at work. Last year’s “Ballin,” featuring Kanye West, is a foretelling track of his soon-to-be released Rubba Band Business, which he announced will drop in March. Throughout his set, Juicy J grabbed cell phones from the crowd to take pictures, posing and posturing to their wild cheers. He asked everyone about their favorite weed, and kept the energy high throughout. New tracks and old garnered dancing, arms in the air, and plenty of love.

The North American tour continues through March 18. Find a date near you HERE.

Review and photos by Stephanie Dore

Juicy J