Tory Lanez gets swavey in Chicago

Toronto-based MC and singer, Tory Lanez, who is currently headlining the SwaveNation tour, played to a sold-out crowd at Reggie’s Rock Club in Chicago. After opening performances from WebsterX and Compton rapper, Boogie, Lanez took to the stage, accompanied by his DJ, VC. Lanez opened his hour-long set with “Priceless” – from his 2014 mixtape Lost Cause – much to the merriment of his anxious and awaiting fans.

Not only is Lanez a talented MC, he is also a gifted singer, which allows for him to coalesce hip-hop, R&B, and trap (both lyrically and melodically) in much of his music. Despite being an unsigned artist for much of his career, Lanez has quite the discography and performed tracks from both his mixtapes and his 2014 Cruel Intentions EP, including “The Mission,” an a cappella version of “Honda Civic,” “In For It,” and “Dímelo”. Paying homage to some of the artists who’ve inspired his musical style, Lanez performed covers of Bell Biv DeVoe’s “Poison” and Ginuwine’s “Pony” before segueing into his radio hit, “Say It.” Following a snippet of “The Godfather,” Lanez re-introduced Boogie, who performed his breakout song “Oh My.”

Throughout his performance, Lanez saw to it that the attendees did not wane in their excitement, by engaging with them and making them feel as though they too, were as much a part of the show as he was. Lanez was upbeat and energetic from beginning to end and repeatedly encouraged audience participation. And if crowd surfing were an Olympic sport, Lanez would win the gold; he crowd surfed for much of his set, and crowd walked from the stage, to the bar, and up to the venue’s balcony where he performed his final song, “Diego” – sending the crowd into a frenzy – while suspended from said balcony.

In a sentimental moment, before curtain call, Lanez repeatedly told his Chicago fans how much he appreciated them for their unyielding support of his artistry: “I came from nothing…now we selling out these shows. I don’t be lying when I say y’all are my family and I love y’all.” Well, Tory Lanez, Chicago loves you too.