“We’re here to get intimate, ignorant, and active tonight.” It was a sentiment DaBaby repeated several times throughout his set, further reinforced by his heavy crowd engagement. Fans, who had the unusual experience of waiting until 10:30 for the show’s main act to take the stage, did not appear discontented whatsoever – they returned his energy. The Charlotte-based rapper released his latest album, BE MORE GRATEFUL, this past January in an attempt to partially diverge from the COVID-era trap sound that brought him fame and fortune. The project examined a large scope of introspective themes, from financial struggles to personal relationships – but it also advanced a style that catered toward his female audience, particularly with the success of “POP DAT THANG.” It was a classic party, supported by artists like Big Boogie – yes, the one who “turned down a $5 million college scholarship to rap,” – and reflected well on DaBaby’s popularity moving forward.
Coming out in a throwback Yao Ming jersey and Rockets cap to match, DaBaby took the stage with dancers that would elevate the night’s theatrics. Tracks such as “SHAKE SUMN” and “Masterpiece,” set the tone as women across the venue were empowered by these anthems. Unbeknownst to me, DaBaby is a top-tier sex symbol in the rap game, throwing his jersey in the audience and eventually his ripped tank top, to many high-pitched screams. His audience engagement was unique for a concert in the House of Blues, but the rapper did full-length songs in both the downstairs and upstairs sections. When my personal favorite off the new project, the intro track “STICKS AND STONES,” DaBaby invited a day one fan in the front row to sing alongside him – and he impressively went bar for bar. “MARINATING” was also a standout track with high replay value, settling the energy down before he reached into his pocket of throwback bangers.
“If you’re older than six years old, you know this one!” DaBaby proclaimed repeatedly, as he riffed through “Rockstar,” “BOP,” and “Suge.” These classics represent the height of the rapper’s career thus far. In hip-hop circles, there’s a present debate on what led to DaBaby’s downfall in popularity: one explanation is his comments on AIDS during a Rolling Loud concert in 2021, and his justification for those comments being that his true gay fans aren’t “nasty gay ni**as” or “junkies.” This led to a partial industry blackball, with festivals canceling his appearance slots and business partners ending their collaborations. Another explanation is that his music was unoriginal and fans had largely moved on: Baby on Baby 2 in particular was rigid and formulaic. When will DaBaby switch the flow? He thought you’d never ask – Be More Grateful brought the creativity that was necessary to compete and eventually override much of the criticism that has blocked him from industry success.
At heart, DaBaby is a marketer. He sells himself in different ways – street hustler, pop collaborator, and cultural provocateur. He’s referred to Donald Trump as a “gangster.” He has been a victim of violence and a perpetrator – in both legal grey area and black and white. Yet, the crowd on Sunday evening felt the one thing they needed: a close connection with the entertainer. With this understanding, DaBaby provided a solid show for his audience that maintains the momentum he needs to evolve in the 2026 rap game.
Photo Gallery by Aaron Rodriguez
About Author
