I had to pull out the FUBU jersey for The FORCE Tour

Each word in the tour’s name perfectly defined the essence of the show and what each artist contributed to the rap game.

The first word, “Force,” refers to an individual or group having the power of effective action. With all of the artists on this bill at Capital One Arena recently, one could not deny the force felt.

Black Thought effortlessly flow with that Philly swag, accompanied by Questlove playing the drums as if he can do this in his sleep his so sick with it.

Bone Thugs & Harmony delivered their signature style of Chopper Rap, while Queen Latifah displayed all her achievements on the screen, Justifying her force in any element rapping about UNITY and representing women in hip hop. And LL Cool J, with his alpha energy, reminded everyone that he is still top-tier in the rap game. With song like “Jack the Ripper” at Capital One Arena on Oct. 15.

Stream “Jack the Ripper” by LL Cool J on YouTube:

The second word, “Frequencies,” refers to the rate at which something occurs or is repeated over a particular period of time or in a given sample. Nowadays, one can’t turn on the radio without hearing a sample from at least one of these artists. Their influence can be seen in the style of the new generation.

The third word, “Real,” describes something that feels true, honest, or familiar, without pretension or affectation. This tour has been a success because it feels genuine and familiar. People can think back to the first time they first heard songs like “Bra,” “Thuggish Ruggish,” “Crossroads,” “Just Another Day,” “The Living Single Theme Song,” “I Need Love,” or “I Need A Beat” and feel the same emotions of realness from the power of words.

The fourth word, “Creative,” refers to something that is original and not imitative. Every artist on that stage was a blueprint for someone’s career. Bone Thugs & Harmony, with their fast-paced Chopper Rap style, have a unique sound that is hard to duplicate. Their harmonies add another layer of creativity to their songs. LL Cool J’s influence can be seen in the many people wearing Kangol hats and Dookie ropes, paying homage to his iconic style.

The fifth word, “Energy,” refers to the capacity for doing work and is a fundamental entity of nature. The Roots, with their live band, assist in keeping the energy up throughout the show. DJ Jazzy Jeff and DJ Z-Tripp pull out the vinyl records which honestly is a lost art. The flow of the concert is seamless, creating a nonstop party for three hours. Hit after hit even performing cuts from the B-side.

Special guests like Monie Love and Treach from Naughty by Nature performing their hit songs “Monie in the Middle” and “OPP” during Queen Latifah set.

Watch the official music video for “OPP” by Naughty by Nature on YouTube:

The FORCE Tour also paid tribute to Different artists in hip hop, displaying several artists names on the screen. Giving us a lil Hip Hop 101 performing other artists music like Jay-Z “PSA” and ODB “Shimmy Shimmy Ya” The show also showcased different elements of hip hop, including lyricism, DJing, and storytelling.

Here are some photos of the FORCE Tour — starring LL Cool J with The Roots, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Queen Latifah, and more — at Capital One Arena on Oct. 15, 2023. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Mecie Gold.