Atlanta was the final tour stop for the U.S. leg of Offset’s “Set it Off” tour. It was the former Migos’ first solo international tour and an appropriate finale for the Georgia-born rapper who helped pioneer an iconic sound that forever changed the Atlanta rap scene.
As confetti floated down from the raptors of the Coca-Cola Roxy on Wednesday night and the sounds of the hit Migos record, “Bad and Boujee” petered off to close out the concert, the energy in the venue continued to hit a crescendo. The concert was jam-packed with hits from Offset’s second solo album, “Set It Off;” and tracks from “Without Warning,” a compelling collab with producer Metro Boomin and rapper 21 Savage, and hits created as one-third of the Migos.
Each transition journeyed into his career that has spanned over a decade and kept the crowd hype and singing along, signaling a sought-after longevity that has carried him from a trio act to a solo artist. It’s a transition that only so many have been able to carry out successfully, especially when coming from iconic groups — just look at Beyoncé and Justin Timberlake. But Offset’s masterclass in reinventing himself as a solo artist has leaned on showmanship and challenging himself creatively.
He opened the show with “Say My Grace” featuring Travis Scott amongst a spectacle of smoke machines, strobe lights and backup dancers. He continued into singles from his album such as “Fan” and “Worth It” with Don Toliver as well as hits such as “Ric Flair Drip,” “Clout,” “Fight Night,” “Zeze,” “Narcos,” and “Motorsport.” Offset was joined by acts including J.I.D, Young Nudy, Key Glock, Drill Baby, Skilla Baby, Mango Foo and SleazyWorld Go.
As much as the concert was a homecoming, it was also a tribute to late Migos member Takeoff. “If you love Takeoff, let me get a Takeoff,” he said to the crowd as a sea of phones lit up in tribute right before he went into “Last Memory” off of Takeoff’s only solo studio album. Throughout the show, he paid tribute to his cousin by wearing a cutoff shirt with his face plastered over it as his wardrobe, playing his verses on their songs and revealing his ongoing grief over his death.
It was clear that Offset was in his element, from his punchy rap cadence that bounced around the stage as he did to his electric stage presence that showed just why the Migos were as successful as they were — each member was a star in their own right.
His smooth Michael Jackson-inspired moves that made it clear the King of Pop was his biggest inspiration was one of the concert’s highlights. His ability to keep up with his professional background dancers made it even less surprising that he’d been a backup dancer in a Whitney Houston music video as a child.
The concert was a refreshing look into Offset’s efforts to align himself not just as a rapper but a full-blown solo performer and entertainer.
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