Nelly at SaskTel Centre: One hell of a party

by Scott Roos

photos by Scott Roos

This past Sunday, April 20th at Saskatoon's SaskTel Centre felt like stepping into a time machine set to the early 2000s, as Nelly’s “Where the Party At?” tour rolled into town with special guests Ja Rule and Chingy. For anyone with a soft spot for the golden era of hip hop club bangers, this was the place to be.

The crowd, on the surface seemingly made up of Millennials and younger Gen Xers, showed up ready to relive their youth, and the energy in the arena matched that anticipation from the get-go. Chingy kicked off the night with a short but spirited set that got the audience warmed up. He brought the right kind of throwback vibe, laying the foundation for what was to come.

Ja Rule followed, with a theatrical entrance that surprised and entertained. Wheeled out on stage in a cot, shirtless and clad only in boxers, Ja Rule made a dramatic reveal as the music started, tossing off the covers and dressing in real time on stage. Fit and confident, he pulled off the bit with charm. Once dressed, he launched into a set filled with charisma and presence. His performance was tight, and the crowd fed off his energy, dancing and vibing along to every beat.

Then came the main event.

Nelly's dancers entered dressed like they were guests at "Club Derrty"

Nelly transformed the SaskTel Centre into his own version of a St. Louis nightclub, dubbed “Club Derrty.” The stage included a mock entrance resembling a security/ID check, with his DJ positioned on a raised platform. Backup dancers casually walked through the “club entrance,” and VIP guests, likely part of a VIP fan experience, were invited onstage to celebrate throughout the night in designated areas on each side of the stage. These VIP's occasionally interacted with the dancers and artists. This added an engaging, playful element that gave the entire set a unique, more intimate feel.

After a lively instrumental opening that gave his dancers a chance to take the spotlight, Nelly appeared, kicking off with “Where the Party At” followed by the iconic “E.I.” What followed was a display of early 2000s hip hop nostalgia. The setlist included fan favorites such as “Ride Wit Me,” “Hot in Herre,” “Air Force Ones,” “Grillz,” “Hey Porsche,” and the timeless duet “Dilemma” to name but a few. He also revisited his debut hit “Country Grammar (Hot Shit),” much to the delight of his longtime fans.

Nelly's backup dancers were outstanding, maintaining a lively tempo and spirited atmosphere. Short performances during Nelly's set by fellow St. Louis artists J-Kwon and Murphy Lee and other members of St. Lunatics enhanced the hometown club vibe with additional fun and authenticity.

Overall, the show delivered big on its promise: high energy, nostalgic hits, and a party atmosphere that lived up to its name. For the price of one ticket, fans got a solid lineup that brought back memories and served up a proper hip hop experience from start to finish. This wasn’t just a concert - it was a celebration of an era.