Wu-Tang Clan & Nas with De La Soul
Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle, WA
10.18.23

Fifty years ago, in the bustling, eclectic, electric neighborhoods of New York City, a new form of art was born. As the years passed, this grassroots movement and art form – which fused together DJing, MCing, breakdancing, and graffiti – grew into a global cultural force, influencing countless lives and transcending borders. You know it as hip hop, and in one truly unforgettable night in Seattle, some of the most historic progenitors of hip hop put the art on full display.

The NY State of Mind Tour joins together two of hip hops biggest acts, Wu-Tang Clan and Nas, for a headlining run that will undoubtedly go down in history as something every bit as legendary as the co-headlining sojourns of Miles Davis and John Coltrane, Nirvana and Pearl Jam, or Bob Dylan and The Grateful Dead. It was a night that paid tribute to the genre’s origins while showcasing its enduring influence on the world of music, these grand statements supported by the fact that Amazon saw it fit to livestream the event to a global audience.

Anytime De La Soul is an opener for a concert, well, one can be certain quite a night is in store. Following the heartbreaking passing of Trugoy the Dove/Plug Two, Posdnuos and Maseo carried the torch valiantly for the trio. Fellow NY legend Talib Kweli joined the two on stage for a truly remarkable opening, with classics like “Me Myself and I” and “Stakes is High” serving as a reminder of just how accessible the genre is, even while being innovative. 

In order to keep the party going in true hip hop fashion, the night progressed with only a minimal break between sets. So it was just a matter of minutes before the uniquely indelible voice of the RZA shot around the rafters like a thunderclap, the capacity audience exploding with applause. One by one, the legendary Staten Island crew assembled on stage, RZA on a higher stage overseeing the events like a ringmaster. Inspectah Deck, Cappadonna, and Raekwon seamlessly traded verses before being joined by Ghostface and UGod. One of the most unique aspects of the concert was that it was truly co-headlining. 

About 25 minutes into Wu-Tang’s set, Nas joined Raekwon on stage for their classic track “Verbal Intercourse.” This seamlessly transitioned into the first full set of two from Nas, focusing on his late career resurgence with Hit-Boy and spanning the dual trilogies of “King’s Disease” and “Magic.” Tracks like “Rare”, “Speechless”, and “27 Summers” highlighting how Nas hasn’t lost one step even though he, too, celebrated his 50th birthday just this year.

The flawless transition to Wu-Tang’s second set was via a cover of the Mobb Deep hit “Eye for and Eye”, which also featured Raekwon. Method Man made his grand entrance, with “Method Man” and “You’re All I Need” drawing word-for-word singalongs from much of the audience. Ol Dirty Bastard’s son, Young Dirty Bastard, joined for an uncanny rendition of his father’s legendary charisma and wordplay for more groundbreaking tracks from Wu’s catalog.

The pedal was firmly kept to the metal, without one dip in energy as Nas re-emerged and delivered his classics spanning from “Illmatic” to “Stillmatic.” The first break in the evening was also the most poignant moment, as RZA paid tribute to legendary hip hop artists who have passed over the years, from Big L to Biz Markie, Jam Master Jay to ODB. It was a beautiful reminder of just how many remarkable artists have provided the soundtrack to the lives of millions for decades. This concert was 2.5 hours of raw, nonstop energy that was truly a once in a lifetime experience, and reached its apex with Wu-Tang’s posse cut “Triumph” and Nas’ “One Mic” closing the show.

What began as a local movement in the Bronx fifty years ago has now become the most popular form of music worldwide. This tour was not just a celebration but a testament to the enduring power of hip hop and its ability to connect people from all walks of life. What a journey, and what a night.

Photos and review by Sattva Photo