Urban Music Enthusiast

Set It Off Concert Review, Fillmore Silver Spring MD 3/12/24

In 2014, I first experienced the infectious sound of Migos and their iconic ad-libs.

I remember asking myself a few questions after first listen: 

Who is this ‘Young Rich Nation,’ and how can I join them? 

Has the world of Rap just found its version of the Beatles?

And if being a medical provider doesn’t pan out, maybe I could have a career in contributing to ad-libs! Lol

From the beginning, the Migos captivated me, yet it was Offset’s fire sign energy, aesthetic flare, cool assurance, and swagger, that resonated with me the most.

On a warm Tuesday evening in March, I attended Offset’s ‘Set It Off’ tour at a concert spot in the DMV that feels like my second home. Trust me, I’ve been to the Fillmore so many times since my college days that I’ve totally lost count, but it’s way over 10 visits for sure.

Now, I pretty much know this place like the back of my hand. But when I got there this time, my eyes popped at the stage set-up. Smack in the middle was this massive drape hiding something big, taking up a ton of space right on center stage! To the left, there was a whole drum set and keyboard, and to the right, a slick DJ booth was set up. Every concert I’ve been to here before was nothing like this.

I knew at this moment, that this event was going to be more than a traditional rap concert, but more along the lines of a music production. And after seeing the entire show, it did not disappoint, and most definitely was. 

Another thing that stood out on arrival, was the versatility of attendees in age and ethnicity. After a decade of investment in the music industry, the fan base accurately reflected that.

Remember, when the Migos career began they had to work the game like a grassroots campaign,  not relying on virality and social media, which in many ways made them more connected with fans because they had to garner support and develop connections in person, instead of relying on the internet.

This rap concert was super punctual, seriously, one of the best in terms of timing I’ve been to. It kicked off at 8 pm on the dot with Mango Foo hitting the stage first. Then, 20 minutes later, SleazyWorld Go jumped in, followed perfectly another 20 minutes later by Skilla Baby. They wrapped up by 9 pm. At 9:30 pm, Offset came on and gave us a full hour of high-energy hits. He opened with ‘Intro + (Fan)’ and ‘On the River,’ and we got bits of over 25 of his biggest songs. He got the crowd going with tracks like ‘Don’t You Lie,’ ‘Dissolve,’ and ‘Worth It’ from his new album Set It Off. Plus, he threw in ‘Fight Night’ and ‘Last Memory,’ adding a special moment to remember Takeoff. He closed the show with a bang – ‘Ric Flair Drip’ followed by the huge Migos track ‘Bad and Boujee.’ It was a big deal because back when that song first hit number 1, Offset was in jail and missed out on celebrating their fast rise to fame, especially since he played a big part in making that track. 

Throughout the hour-long performance, what shone was Offset’s lively presence and his dancing skills. It’s not every day you see a rapper getting into it with spins, high kicks, jumps, and synchronized moves with the dance crew at a rap show. But Offset brought it all to the stage, even nailing some of Michael Jackson’s iconic moves intermittently. I’ve never witnessed a trap rapper bring such an inventive mixture of performance techniques and dance routines before. His performance clearly showed how much he cares about the details and his craft as a performer. 

This concert affirmed that not only is Offset an amazing solo artist but also a skilled performer with superior endurance and stamina. Offset will always be regarded as a Migos, but his solo career provides a vital platform to showcase the full range of his artistic potential to the world in a way that being a group member could not. Similarly, and someone whom Offset has studied in depth, Michael Jackson too will always be remembered as beginning with the Jackson 5 but flourishing much further in his solo career. I now believe Offset is following his Hero’s lead and succeeding. 

I’m excited to back up whatever new art Offset creates, eager for his upcoming albums and concerts, and I’ll definitely be at more of his events.

Easy Listening, The Urban Music Enthusiast.