Hip-hop is always a major part of the soundtrack of the Las Vegas Strip, but sometimes it just takes over.
An assortment of artists have been slipping into Vegas club gigs recently, including Jack Harlow, Ludacris, O.T. Genasis, Tyga, 50 Cent, G-Eazy, Rick Ross and Gucci Mane. Diverse sounds are bleeding through now that pool clubs are open, nearly doubling the Strip’s count of weekend party venues. And when summer starts sneaking in, we’ll see appearances by Flo Rida at Tao Beach (May 1) and trap producer Murda Beatz at Jewel (April 29).
But you won’t have to wait. There’s a parade of hitmaking hip-hop artists descending on Vegas clubs right now. You just have to decide who you want to party with.
TORY LANEZ
The controversial Canadian rapper remains embroiled in legal issues with Megan Thee Stallion and was recently accused of illegal sampling by George Michael’s estate, but he also just dropped the single and video “Cap,” which he might perform twice for night and day shows at the Cromwell’s rooftop hot spot. March 25 at Drai’s Nightclub, March 26 at Drai’s Beachclub, draisgroup.com.
JA RULE
There are two things we know about Ja Rule. One is, he’s never had a problem finding different products to endorse, from the infamous Fyre Festival to his new NFT project Club Cards. But we also know he’s a powerful force when he hits the stage, especially in Las Vegas, where he seems to draw especially lit and large crowds. Find him this time at the Cosmopolitan, then he’ll be back for NFL Draft weekend at Jewel and again at the Lovers & Friends Festival in May. March 25 at Marquee Nightclub, events.taogroup.com.
SAINT JHN
This legendarily fit and fashionable 35-year-old rapper, singer, songwriter and producer is finally ready to hit the road again after COVID delayed his 2020 tour plans. With irresistible elements of dancehall and R&B embedded in his music, Saint Jhn is riding high on new single “The Best Part of Life” and ready to bring a truly unique performance to a place that embraces fresh sounds, Light at Mandalay Bay. March 25 at Light Nightclub, thelightvegas.com.
BIA
Now that she has transcended her breakthrough origins on TV’s Sisterhood of Hip Hop, collaborated with J Balvin and Nicki Minaj and been endorsed by Pharrell Williams and Rihanna, Bia is ready for bigger and better ... like the March Madness Music Festival in New Orleans the first weekend in April, or consistent Las Vegas Strip bashes at Jewel at Aria. March 25 at Jewel Nightclub, events.taogroup.com.
2 CHAINZ
The Atlanta powerhouse is one of the headlining stars who helped re-establish Drai’s dominance in live Vegas nightclub performances after COVID subsided. Now 2 Chainz is ready to drop the deluxe edition of February album Dope Don’t Sell Itself with five new tracks, including a “hard as hell” collaboration with none other than Justin Bieber. Those are his words, not ours, but we have no reason to doubt him. March 26 at Drai’s Nightclub, draisgroup.com.
MUSTARD
Megaproducer Mustard was already an established force in the Vegas club landscape, thanks to frequent residency gigs at Light, Daylight at Tao. Thanks to last year’s nightlife industry super-merger, the man behind Migos’ “Pure Water,” YG’s “Left, Right” and so many other hits will be taking his talents to all sorts of venues this year, including Jewel, Hakkasan, Tao Beach, and his next destination, Marquee. March 26 at Marquee Nightclub, events.taogroup.com.
