Some fans were in tears following the first-ever arena tour for legendary rap group Wu-Tang Clan alongside hip-hop legend Nas at the Scotiabank Arena on Sunday.
Freddy Yazdani, who was in tears after seeing his favourite group perform, said the show brought back his most cherished memories as a child.
“It brought me back to my childhood. It brought me back to days that were very humbling, and it was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had,” Yazdani said.
The performers did not disappoint as they brought back old-school hip-hop for their first Toronto stadium performance, with fans calling the show a “game changer.”
Long-time fan Mishka Todd says she grew up listening to classic hits from the group and is excited since this was her first time seeing them perform live.
“I am very blessed and thankful that I got to see them in my time because I am an ’87 baby, and to be able to see them now is a game changer,” Todd said.
The show drew on nostalgia as fans could see the iconic Wu-Tang Clan symbol, a stylized W mimicking bird wings, plastered on the concourse.
The stage transported the audience back to ’90s New York, where the group got its start, with visuals of some of the city’s iconic spots and locations.
The warmth among fans was visible too, as fans hugged each other, reunited by their childhood legends, throwing W-signs in the air, and shouted for peace.
Cousins Robert Diggs (RZA), Gary Grice (GZA) and Russell Jones (Ol’ Dirty Bastard) first formed Wu-Tang Clan in the 1980s, adopting different monikers and labels before their breakout hit “Protect Ya Neck.”
This year marks the 50th anniversary of hip-hop that started at a house party in the Bronx on Aug. 11, 1973, thrown by DJ Kool Herc.
Promo poster of the N.Y State Of Mind Tour. Photo credit: Live Nation
It is also the 30th anniversary of Wu-Tang Clan’s debut album, released in 1993, Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), celebrated as one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time by aficionados.
The group also honoured Russell C (Ol’ Dirty Bastard), who died from an accidental drug overdose on Nov. 13, 2004. The tribute included bringing Jones’ youngest son Barson (Young Dirty Bastard), on stage to perform his dad’s verses.
Natoya Meeko said she is glad Nas and Wu-Tang Clan are still getting their roses after all these years.
“There are not a lot of groups I remember because I grew up in the church back in my days, but with Nas and Wu-Tang they are no joke,” Meeko said. “My favourite song is Oochie Wally from Nas.
“Hearing it again tonight, live, it feels like I am no longer in a dream,” she said.
Much of the music created by the Wu-Tang related to how they grew up in the streets, selling drugs to survive.
Mehdi Zargar can relate to the music because the streets raised him, and some of his strength came from listening to Wu-Tang Clan and Nas.
“These artists were like the soundtrack to my life when I was young, and I was wild, and I was like on the streets,” Zargar said. “I grew up in Montreal, I had a crew, we were kids causing havoc everywhere.
“Seeing them in concert, brought back some memories,” Zargar said.
The New York State of Mind Tour 2023 left its imprint at Scotiabank Arena, with fans hoping it is not a farewell tour.
“I would love to see them again,” said Kayla Thompson. “I’m hoping that they don’t hang up their boots and run into the sunset.”