A$AP Ferg has been working hard consistently feeding the streets with banger after banger.  In 2017, A$AP Ferg struck gold.  He was already making a name for himself but then his single “Plain Jane” went viral. RIAA certified 4x Platinum, the song catapulted him from being one of hip hop’s best kept secrets to full blown super stardom.  Since then, he’s lived up to the hype continually dropping a slew of records cementing himself as one of the leaders of the A$AP Mob.  After just dropping his Floor Seats EP, the Trap Lord himself embarked on the Yedi Tour with special guests MadeinTYO (pronounced Made in Tokyo) and Bas across the country to promote the new project.  One of those dates was at House of Blues Anaheim. I wasn’t passing up the opportunity to shoot this show.

Up first was Heater IV.  His name wasn’t on the flyer and he was tasked with warming up the room.  Challenge accepted; he used his time wisely introducing himself and his music.  Like myself, most people in the crowd didn’t know his music, and Heater IV knew that.  Whatever he may have lacked in familiarity, he made up with energy – jumping in the crowd and performing amongst concert goers.  Up next was MadeinTYO. The Uber Everywhere rapper dropped verses off of his debut album, Sincerely Tokyo,  and even brought out his older brother and fellow rapper, 24hrs, to rock the second half of the set with him.

Bas took the stage shortly after and performed an assortment of material from his three studio albums.  He did a great job building anticipation for the main act.  After Bas finished up, we had a short intermission. When the lights dimmed for his entrance, I got into position to see the Trap Lord make his appearance.  But the lights stayed dim and DJ stood in place not playing a thing.  This downtime was probably less than five minutes, but it felt like an eternity.  Anticipation in the venue grew and some fans were starting to get restless.  But then the beat dropped.

A$AP Ferg ran out in his signature patched up jumpsuit and absolutely crushed his intro track “Floor Seats”.  The energy in the room erupted as waves of fans jumped in unison.  The House of Blues lighting production system also kicked into high gear.  After playing songs like “Jet Lag” and “Hummer Limo”, Ferg pivoted into some of his more classic material.  But he’d do so on one condition. “Open it up! Open it up!”,  Ferg yelled as he singled out individuals to start the pit.  Once the pit was in motion, he played some of his older material such as a “Trap And A Dream” and “Rubber Band Man”. 

Towards the end of the set, Ferg cut the music for a very real moment where he spoke to the crowd.  He talked about the start of his career and how he owes it all to the late A$AP Yams.  He asked all fans to put their lighters or cell phones in the air for a moment to remember Yams.  For an event that was jam packed with high-energy hip hop, this was a rather beautiful moment.  Ferg finished off the set “Plain Jane” and an acapella, finally waving off fans for the night.

Rocking green hair, a mouth full of gold, and a patched-up jump suit, A$AP Ferg did not disappoint.  Dropping jams for the dudes and ladies alike, he entertained everyone in the venue.  I don’t see him slowing down any time soon.  Move over A$AP Rocky, the A$AP Mob might have a new mob boss on the rise.