Usher’s many R&B hits may be providing the soundtrack for the first Super Bowl in Las Vegas, as the former Park MGM and Caesars Palace resident headliner performs during the halftime show at Allegiant Stadium, but hip-hop is dominating the rest of the weekend at concerts, clubs and massive special event parties. Here are some of the artists taking the field—er, stage—in the next few days:
The opening of the Wu-Tang Clan residency at the Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas (Feb. 9-10, axs.com) would be a history-making event on any weekend. Members of the group popped up during CES at the intimate Voltaire at Venetian for a cover of The Beatles’ “Come Together,” a tiny tease of what’s to come at Virgin. Will the Wu add interesting new production elements as other resident artists have done on the Vegas stage? Or will they stick to the hit-heavy setlist from last year’s NY State of Mind tour?
Lil Wayne is one of the iconic rappers who’ll be pulling extra duty this weekend, joining Diplo and Shaquille O’Neal at the Shaq’s Fun House party at XS (Feb. 9, wynnsocial.com) before teaming with Alesso and T-Pain for the Michelob Ultra Country Club event taking over Topgolf (Feb. 10, michelobultra.com/ultracountryclub) and showing up at the Sahara Theatre (Feb. 10, ticketmaster.com). And speaking of T-Pain, the versatile rapper and singer will start his new residency at Zouk Nightclub at Resorts World on February 9 (zoukgrouplv.com). And then there’s 50 Cent, who’s co-headlining the annual Maxim party (see page 26) with 21 Savage on February 10 at Resorts World (maximsb.com) and also hosting an oversized extravaganza at Area15 after the Super Bowl (Feb. 11, area15.com).
Ikon Presents is putting on that party and another one Saturday at Area15’s A-Lot. Soul-trap pioneer Rod Wave leads a roster that also includes DaBaby, Big Charm and singer Summer Walker (Feb. 10, area15.com).
The H.wood Group, Wynn Nightlife and Uncommon Entertainment are joining forces to create a pop-up venue just across the street from Wynn to host the H.wood Homecoming, an “experiential nightlife experience.” Future will perform there with David Guetta on February 9, and Jack Harlow stars with Kaytranada and Zack Bia on February 10 (hwoodhomecoming.com).
Drai’s at the Cromwell always brings hip-hop’s heavy hitters to the Strip and the Super Bowl will be no different. Other than Chris Brown’s return on February 9, it’s all rap on the rooftop with Rick Ross, Meek Mill and Lil Baby (draisgroup.com).
Tao Group Hospitality’s nightclubs kick off the hip-hop festivities with performances including Fat Joe at Tao (Feb. 8), TIP at Hakkasan (Feb. 8), Tyga at Hakkasan (Feb. 9), Jermaine Dupri at Tao (Feb. 9), Lil Jon at Marquee (Feb. 9), Nelly at Marquee (Feb. 10), and Travis Scott at Hakkasan (Feb. 10, taogroup.com). And Zouk has one of the most compelling combos lined up in 2 Chainz and Saweetie (Feb. 10, zoukgrouplv.com).
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