Live Review: 50 Cent, AB Original, Baker Boy

A sticky Parramatta Park gathered an excited assortment of 50 Cent followers last night, who all seemed to be on the same trend. 

After a huge 2017, Darwin's own Baker Boy blessed the stage with humility and grace, paying his respects to the traditional custodians of the land, and then busting moves all the way from the NT. The Unearthed artist played a refreshing set featuring Cloud 9 and crowd-favourite Marryuna, which came in at a whopping #17 on triple j's most recent Hottest 100.

A weather warning coercing patrons to collect passouts and "take cover" did not deter the die-hard fans as they fashioned ponchos out of bin bags when the skies opened.

Featuring noteworthy DJ Total Eclipse from NYC, the Indigenous talent continued with AB Original, whose music brought a strong political hue to the palette of love and hip hop that already existed in the crowd. "No justice, no peace," the crowd chanted, supporting the fight against the recent police brutality on people of colour, as Briggs and Trials invited special guest and "brother" Dan Sultan up for their finale of Paul Kelly's Dumb Things with the Aboriginal flag behind them.

As the light began to fade, the dark park came to life. 50 Cent dove straight into a continual flow of his lengthy discography, much to the satisfaction of fans young and old, "It's been a while Australia, let's do this!" 

PIMP and 21 Questions whomped across the grass, with every punter screaming almost every word back at the stage, while an emotional delivery of I'm The Man echoed through the smoke, with footage from the original Get Rich Or Die Tryin' film playing behind him. Candy Shop had the crowd (and 50 Cent) going absolutely bonkers, following finally with In Da Club, confetti blasting in celebration. 

February 6 of this year marked 15 years since the release of 50 Cent's notorious club banger and debut album Get Rich Or Die Tryin'. 50 Cent's inarguable work ethic and years of experience since was paired on the night with a slight rasp in his voice, mirroring his passion and love for the art and making for a faultless performance.

Visuals from 50 Cent's films and his album artwork enticed fans to reminisce with him, further demonstrating the rapper's firm hold on his New York roots. Despite TV show Power now being the main talking point for 50 Cent, the rapper undoubtedly has a lot left to give musically and he gave it on the night, with a smile from ear to ear.

Through a flurry of wonderful violet lighting and a mop of sweaty, pulsing arms, this pioneer of rap music blew the crowd away in the wake of his Indigenous support acts. This was testament to 50 Cent's Australian fans, who appreciated the diverse and unique in their love of hip hop music.