Chingy opened the Raleigh show with a dynamic set. He hit the stage with confidence, opening with his biggest hits like “Right Thurr”, “Holidae In”, and “One Call Away”. The crowd was still arriving during part of his set but when he dropped “One Call Away” and “Pullin’ Me Back”, there was a noticeable surge — people came forward, cell phones up, singing along. Chingy’s voice was strong, the backing band and DJ kept the tempo tight, and his stage presence was engaging. There was some movement in the staging: lights tracking him, occasional strobes on the chorus climaxes, and simple visual backdrops that projected video of earlier performance footage. His merch stand was well staffed and had the usual items — tour t-shirts, hoodies, a few limited prints; nothing overly elaborate but well polished. Chingy rose to fame in the early 2000s with multi-platinum albums Jackpot, Powerballin’, and Hoodstar. His work has earned him Grammy nominations, and he continues to record and tour independently. His latest release is Chinglish. More about his career and music can be found at https://www.chingyofficial.com.

Chingy

Ja Rule followed, coming on in what was clearly a bedroom-scene concept, with stage set pieces arranged to suggest intimate domestic interiors: lamps, a bed frame, subtle props, dimmer lights aside from spotlights. His entrance was punctuated by bursts from smoke cannons, adding dramatic flair to his opening. He ran through his catalogue: “Between Me and You”, “Always On Time”, “Holla Holla”, plus a few crowd favorites. His voice had its rough edges, but there was an earnestness when he rapped and when he sang/backed with melodic hooks; the audience responded loudly, especially when he did “Mesmerize”. Lighting during his set softened during slower songs, then picked up with warming colors and moving beams on the harder tracks. His merch included the standard: shirts, hats, and tour swag. Ja Rule, a key figure in late 1990s and 2000s hip-hop and R&B crossover, has multiple platinum albums including Venni Vetti Vecci, Rule 3:36, and Pain Is Love. He has earned Grammy nominations, Billboard awards, and remains a cultural figure through music and film. His latest project is 12.Twelve.XII. More about Ja Rule is at https://ruleyorkcity.com.

Ja Rule

When Nelly took over, the show intensified. His opening was choreographed — dancers came out in sync, going through routines that framed Nelly’s entrance. He started with high-energy tracks and quickly moved into a collaboration with St. Lunatics midway through his set, bringing them out for joint performances of tracks like “Ride wit Me”, “Air Force Ones” and “Flap Your Wings”. The dance moves were tight; Nelly doesn’t rely solely on choreography but uses movement, crowd interaction, stepping off the stage edge, encouraging sing-alongs. The visual production ramped up: larger video screens played crisp images of the performers, sometimes cuts to archival footage; lighting rigs shifted between bright white for impactful moments and rich colored washes during choruses. The crowd was deeply responsive — by the time Nelly and St. Lunatics were performing together, people were on their feet, calling out lyrics, waving phones, dancing in aisles. His merch was plentiful: hoodies, limited tour jackets, deluxe bundles including posters and signed memorabilia, plus standard t-shirts. Nelly, with diamond album Country Grammar, platinum records including Nellyville and Suit, and numerous Billboard and Grammy awards, has expanded into business and philanthropy, supporting education and health initiatives. His latest release is Heartland. More about Nelly can be found at https://www.nelly.net.

Nelly & the St. Lunatics

St. Lunatics’ set with Nelly added depth to the night, pulling from their collective history. The group, featuring members Ali, Kyjuan, Murphy Lee, and City Spud, reminded fans of their contribution to early 2000s hip-hop. Tracks like “Midwest Swing” and their verses on “Air Force Ones” were highlights, reminding the audience how much their sound shaped Nelly’s rise. They brought energy and camaraderie, showcasing Murphy Lee’s solo success (Murphy’s Law went platinum) and the crew’s distinct lyrical style. Their merchandise was group-branded, featuring retro graphics and limited-edition designs. St. Lunatics’ discography includes group projects and features on Nelly’s most iconic records, though members also released solo work. Their reunion on this tour was a reminder of their influence on Midwest hip-hop. More on their work can be followed through Nelly’s official channels and Murphy Lee’s updates at https://murphylee.net.