Four iconic legends rose from below the stage inside Bridgestone Arena and proceeded to demand every member of the audience’s attention for two hours as they replayed the soundtrack to so many in attendance’s youth. West coast rap legends E-40, Too Short, Ice Cube, and Snoop Dogg were raised to the top of the stage while sitting in personalized thrones that only these four men deserved. Mount Westmore is the name not given to, but earned, by these legends of rap, but also, it’s the name of the tour that stopped in Nashville.
The foursome quickly got the party started once they hit the stage by each M.C. spitting their verse from their first single “Big Subwoofer” before moving into a non-stop rotation of hits from each member. The sold-out crowd consisting mainly of a mature grown-and-sexy demographic was worked up into a frenzy by another west coast legend, Warren G. The “Regulate” rapper served as the opening act/hype man for the show and put those in attendance in party mode. Warren G. highlighted some of his other work including “My House” and “This D.J.” as well as putting a big spotlight on the gone but never forgotten Nate Dogg. If you were in the business of hip-hop in the 90s and early 2000s, did you really have a hit if Nate Dogg wasn’t on it?
With over 75 solo studio albums among the four, whittling down a set list to two hours seems impossible along with being able to make an audience leave happy. By the reaction from the crowd throughout the concert, these legends were able to do the impossible. Some massive hits were delivered early in the night with Too Short’s “Blow the Whistle,” Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre’s “The Next Episode,” Ice Cube’s “Check Yo Self,” and E-40’s “Tell Me When to Go” setting the vibe for the rest of the evening.
Each legend in their own right took turns rocking the mic as well as serving as a hype man for their counterparts. It was hard to keep your eyes off Snoop Dogg as he was all smiles and just living his best life. After every song, the crowd was ready for what jam was to hit next, and once the first beat of the next song hit, the estimated 18,000 in attendance was ready to rap along. From “Beautiful” to “We Be Clubbin’” to “Snap Your Fingers,” the crowd recited every word along with the rapper responsible for the hit. Everybody knows what Too Short’s favorite word is and it was easily the most said word of the night. The Oakland native constantly demanded a call-and response of ‘bitch’ through his time on stage and was quick to let the crowd know that by no means does he believe all women are bitches and that only females can be bitches. He playfully implied that his next song “Bitch” was for the bitch ass men of the world.
The second half of the Mount Westmore concert saw each artist go through a small set of their hits before handing the stage over to the next. E-40’s highlights included “1-Luv” and “Captain Save a Hoe” as Too Short’s included “Life is… Too Short” and “Freaky Tales.” Snoop Dogg, the self-described baby of the bunch, took everyone way back with “Deep Cover” and “Ain’t No Fun(If the Homies Can’t Have None)” as well with a small taste of some N.W.A. classics.
How did I make it nearly 600 words into this without mentioning the true special guests of the show? Four brass poles were positioned across the stage where they were adorned by exotic dancers throughout the show. They were there to fit the mood of the concert as well as to serve as eye-candy for many in the crowd, but it seemed that Too Short enjoyed their presence more than anyone inside Bridgestone Arena, as he kept it raining the entire time the four women were on stage.
Too Short and Snoop Dogg reminded us of two other rap legends that we lost too soon. Short performed a portion of his song with Notorious B.I.G “The World Is Filled…” and Snoop brought the crowd to their feet with his 2Pac duet “2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted.”
After everyone poured some out for Pac and Biggie, it was time for Ice Cube to recap everyone’s day because it truly was a good day. The four icons of rap reunited once more before ending the show with another performance of “Big Subwoofer.” I am not really sure I can think of a better lineup of four rappers that influenced the world of hip-hop more than the four that hold the thrones of the Mount Westmore tour, but I am positive a better hip-hop tour cannot be found.
Steven McCash is the Lead Music Writer and Utility Man for SoBros Network. Steven is the host of the ‘Drinking With…’ podcast, and the pioneer of New Music Friday, highlighting each week’s new releases in the world of music in addition to the occasional live show review. He also pitches in as a Nashville lifestyle writer and football analyst (hence the ‘Utility Man’ title). Follow on Twitter: @MC_Cash75
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