Wiz Khalifa @ Birmingham Academy, 3rd November 2011
Ballin’ is the word I’d use to describe Cameron Jebril Thomas (better known as Wiz Khalifa), according to urban dictionary this means you are either good at basketball or good at life. Wiz does seem to sell a lot of songs and I’m sure back in urban Pennsylvania Wiz and Snoop Dogg play a lot of basketball. Wiz took his time to get on stage, but the whole night was dope.
The evening was started by fellow “Taylor Gang” member Chevy Woods, an upcoming rap artist from Wiz’s home town. He was a great start to the show. Party-starting “Jimmy Fallon” and smoothed-out “Campaign” were definite hits. Woods, like Wiz has a lot of potential to offer.
Big Sean rolled in next. He connected well with the audience, with a striking resemblance to Kanye West vocally and musically his laid back conversational flow was a joy to listen to.
Khalifa was highly energetic and animated from beginning to end and his confidence on stage has enough “swag” to back up his music. With the anthem “Black and Yellow” behind him Wiz has gained new fans like me who hadn’t heard of this tattooed figure from Pittsburgh who made mixtapes and smoked thousands of pounds worth of marijuana. The rap fanatics and “Tyler Gang” supporters may be happy to listen to the hypnotic beats in clouds of smoke but for me they were a few lulls in the evenings performance. When Khalifa performed average album fillers “No Sleeping” and “Fly Solo” the crowd stood motionless waiting for bigger things to happen. Through the fumes of smoke I could see why some people would like this “hip hop hopeful” as something to listen to while hot boxing.
The concert however was extremely enjoyable, thanks to Wiz’s charisma and enthusiasm. I’m sure his return is highly anticipated and he will be welcomed back to Birmingham with open arms.
Review – John Kirby
Photos – Steve Gerrard