50 CENT RETURNS TO SCOTLAND FOR HIS ‘FINAL LAP: WORLD TOUR’ FOR FIRST TWO SHOWS AT GLASGOW’S OVO HYDRO

★★★★☆ (4/5)

50 CENT PERFORMING AT GLASGOW’S OVO HYDRO
PHOTOCREDIT: CALUM BUCHAN

50 Cent is one of the most important names in millennia. Born Curtis James Jackson III, he rose through life's trials and hardships to become a renowned American rapper, actor, and entrepreneur. His debut album "Get Rich or Die Tryin'" was released in 2003 and rocketed him to international fame.

Not content to keep his career to just one note, he's had a successful acting career in films like "Get Rich or Die Tryin'" and TV series like "Power." 50 Cent is also known for his business ventures, including investments in the beverage industry and his executive producer role in various entertainment projects. His impact on hip-hop and popular culture has been steady force.

For his tour, 50 Cent curated a night that was designed to stun and amaze. His first trick of the night was Jeremih. Known for his smooth R&B vocals and versatility, Jeremih has shot to success among modern fans and has collaborated with various artists across genres. His music is often dripping sensuality and for his performance during 50 Cent’s tour, he made no exception.

Jeremih played a set bursting with snippets of tracks that felt cut short and ended too soon. Maybe that was he angle of leaving the audience wanting more, however, it fell flat as though his whole set was being steam rolled through. Later in the night the popular 'Birthday Sex' saw Jeremih sit down at a piano and play a stripped back version as he explicitly performed with a single dancer on top of the piano. Like the acts that would follow him, Jeremih got a lap dance from one of the beautiful dancers of the night. This was a theme of the entire night, sex sells.

His second support was the notorious Busta Rhymes. Born Trevor George Smith Jr., Busta Rhymes a highly influential American rapper, actor, and record producer. Known for his intricate rhymes, energetic delivery, and distinctive voice, He gained prominence as a member of the group Leaders of the New School before achieving solo success. His dynamic style and hits like "Woo-Hah!! Got You All in Check" and "Gimme Some More" have made him a hip-hop icon. Beyond music, Busta Rhymes has made appearances in films and TV shows, showcasing his versatility in the entertainment industry.

Busta charged at his slot with his chief supporting musician and hypeman Spliff Star. He played a long, exuberant set, filled with gusto and his caricatures antics. His in-your-face personna drops between the terrifying villain and the smooth talking hunk. He set is energetic and dynamic and is unbelievably entertaining. Promoting his new release, Busta demonstrated that he came to conquer.

With remarkable speed, the stage was quickly reset for 50 Cent. A quality band sat on top of high platforms which 50 popped up and down between throughout he set. The main man came out like a magic trick in a glass box and a puff of smoke, immediately launching into his opening number "I'm On Some Shit" with lightning special effects.

The night was amped up by the huge production value of the set. Every song seemed to be complete with specific and incredible staging and numerous outfit change for both 50, his crew and the dancers. The set was dripping with lazers, lights and remarkable moments. At one point in the night, the stage went dark before a visual display revealed 50 Cent attached to a kind of guy rope and floating high above the crowd in the huge arena.

The setlist was also very clever as well. With incredible covers, Lil' Kim, Pop Smoke, G-Unit, beside fan favorites. The feelings of relentless hits was clear. By the close of the main set, the crowd had thought there was little else that could be given. 50 Cent, however, continued surprising with an incredible 10 track medley that shook every drop out of the crowd and brought the track total to near 40 songs.

For a gig to feel so incredible is down to the sheer craftsmanship of 50 Cent. His time on the big screen has clearly left him hungry for visual performance and that is what he delivered. One complaint may be the lack of representation of a diverse body of women and other could that there was a strong sense of time running out even in the early acts and as venue's curfew loomed. Overall, the night was one that moved attendees to their core. 50 Cent played his argument for being one of the greatest performers alive and he sold it well.