Concert review: Rapper Nelly gives high-energy performance at the Ohio State Fair Saturday
About 10 minutes into his set in Celeste Center on Saturday night, Nelly took some time to thank the Columbus crowd for coming out to support him.
It wasn’t quite a sellout crowd, but on the fourth day of the Ohio State Fair, fans of all ages came to watch Nelly.
“I want each and every one of ya’ll to allow your man Nelly to be here in your house tonight. I want to thank each and every one of ya’ll that has been holding your boy Nelly down for the last 21, 22 or 23 years,” he said at the beginning of his set.
That was the first time he said thank you to the crowd, but not the last.
For the next 50 minutes, Nelly brought a high-energy set that sent fans back in time with songs like "Hot in Herre," "Grillz" and more, showed his country roots and performed a few songs from his new album "Heartland."
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Nelly throwbacks delight nostaglic crowd
For most of his show, Nelly took the stage alongside his half brother, artist City Spud, and after thanking Columbus the first time, he and City Spud had another message for fans.
“Right now, this second, I only want to talk to the folks who have been riding with Nelly since Day 1,” they said.
The near-capacity crowd, which covered all demographics and ages, erupted as the Grammy Award-winning artist broke into his 2002 hit song “Air Force Ones” from his album Nellyville.
Nelly, though, brought out many of his throwback hits.
He got the crowd excited early with his 2000 hit "E.I.", and other songs like "Country Grammar" and his 2005 hit "Grillz."
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Nelly brings out songs from recent album 'Heartland'
Though Nelly is known for his chart-topping songs from the early-to mid-2000s, he also released an album less than a year ago, Heartland on Aug. 27, 2021.
He took time during his set to chant “Heartland” with the crowd multiple times and performed a few songs from his eighth studio album.
"Grits & Glamour," a song featuring popular country artist Kane Brown, got the crowd going as he introduced the songs from his newest album.
After "Grits 7 Glamour," Nelly his opening act Breland back out, with the crowd roaring seeing the two performers onstage together. They performed "High Horse," also off Nelly’s newest album.
Fans clearly related to Nelly's finale
It was as if Nelly never left the early 2000s with how much energy he had onstage and the crowd’s reactions to his oldest hits.
His final song, "Just a Dream," might’ve been his best performance of the night. More than an hour into his set, and as people were preparing to leave, he said goodbye to Columbus with the 2010 hit song and let out any energy he had left.
As people headed toward the exit, they were left singing the words to one of Nelly’s most memorable songs that, at the time of its release, showed his versatility as an artist. He bowed to the crowd three times, and thanked Columbus again before running off the stage.
Breland shows he's a star shining bright early in his career
The Celeste Center was filled largely because people wanted to see Nelly, but before that, New Jersey country artist Breland put on a show.
Nelly had a high-energy show, but Breland brought the energy from the moment the doors opened at 7 p.m.
The 27-year-old artist did everything a great performer should do, he interacted with the crowd, actually bringing a few people onstage to dance to a song and take selfies with them. He even told the crowd he was going out in Columbus Saturday night and that he would post where he was on social media: he ended the night at Mandrake Rooftop.
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But he also spoke about his journey as an African American in country music — how a producer told him he would only be a songwriter — and he put those into words in his song "Cross Country" from his upcoming debut album of the same name.
He ended his opening set with one of his most popular songs, "My Truck," and spent much of the song singing while also running through the rows of the audience.
His debut album doesn’t release until Sept. 9, but it’s already evident that he’s a star and he shined on Saturday before Nelly took the stage.
At a glance
The Ohio State Fair continues through Aug. 7. For a complete schedule of the concert series visit www.ohiostatefair.com.