50 Cent’s Final Lap Stops At The Xcel Energy Center On Friday Night

photos by Vito Ingerto

50 Cent is out on the road doing his Final Lap, Get Rich or Die Tour. The tour made a stop in St. Paul on Friday night, to a packed Xcel Energy Center Friday night. Joining 50 for a night of hip hop were Busta Rhymes and Jeremih. The tour comes on the heals of a couple of anniversaries. 50 Cents first album, Get Rich or Die Tryin’ hit the world like a body slam in 2003. The album has sold 12 million copies and is the 10th best selling hip hop album ever. The infrastructure was laid for the G Unit Empire, as 50 has become a powerful entrepreneur with a diverse business portfolio. Its also the 50th anniversary of hip hop, and that wasn’t lost on the X Friday night.

First up was rapper, R&B artist Jeremih. Jeremih had a covid scare in 2020, but you couldn’t tell from his performance Friday night. The Chicago native performed lots of hits from his Late Nights album. His set was a little subdued, more R&B energy, though “Oui” was met with a large reaction from the crowd

Busta Rhymes was up next, starting his set by coming out from behind the stage on a bullet riddled throne. Busta upped the energy in the arena, along with his sidekick Spliff Star. Starting and stopping his massive hit “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See” drove the X into a near frenzy. Rhymes was very engaging with the crowd throughout his set, mentioning his kids connection to Minneapolis as well as discussing his upcoming release. A taste of that was revealed when he broke out “Beach Ball” off his new release.

The crowd was super hyped when the house lights went down and the four towering screens on the stage alternated with the unmistakable silhouette of 50 Cent. An explosion in the center of the stage revealed 50, and he immediately started the set off with “The Invitation” The visuals on the stage were oustanding throughout the show. He was then joined on stage by Tony Yayo and Uncle Murda for what would become a marathon set, 34 songs according to Setlist FM. The set was a really cool nostalgic journey through 50’s career. Hits that still sound awesome today, like “P.I.M.P.”, “Magic Stick” and “21 Questions” kept the crowd on their feet for the entire performance. There was newer stuff too, like “The Woo” and “Big Rich Town” that hit just as hard as the vintage music.

Jeremih also came out, and the two did “Down On Me” and “Birthday Sex” together. Another highlight was when 50 and Tony Yayo got together for “Southside” late in the set. Confetti cannons? You bet, in full effect for arguably 50’s biggest hit “In Da Club”. He made almost as many wardrobe changes as he performed songs. With dancers, live band and outstandig stage production, the show would be a worthy way to transition his career from rapper to entertainment executive. 

Hip Hop ruled the Xcel Energy Center on Friday night, and while 50 Cent is allegedly retiring from touring,  hip hop will continue for another 50 years.