Ruff Ryders took over the Barclays Center on Thursday (April 21st) reuniting some of the label’s biggest names to celebrate the label’s 20th anniversary.
Rapper and actress Eve who has become known as the First Lady of Ruff Ryder flew in from overseas to perform some of her biggest hits including “Who’s That Girl?” “Satisfaction,” “Tambourine,” as well as her verses from Missy Elliott’s “Hot Boys” and Kelly Rowland’s “Like This.” Other legendary Ruff Ryder artists who performed included Swizz Beatz (who performed his own hits including “Money in the Bank” as well as verses on songs he helped produce and collaborated with other artist on like Drake’s “Fancy,” T.I.’s “Louie Rag” and Jay Z’s “On to the Next”), Drag On and DMX who closed the show. The show also included performances by Cassidy, The Lox, and Remy Ma and Fat Joe (who were surprise guests) as well as French Montana who joined Remy Ma and Fat Joe during their performance of “All the Way Up,” as well as did a few solo songs.
Aside from celebrating and reuniting Ruff Ryders’ legendary most known artists, the concert also showcased the label’s up and coming talent which included performances by Ruff Ryders Indy artist Quadir Lateef, Lil Waah and Drew James. The Knockturnal spoke to Drew James who grew up in Toronto and recently released his music video for his song “Paper Chaser,’ which he said about the Ruff Ryders influence within the video, “The video itself ends with a real powerful message. Ruff Ryders we’re everywhere. We’re all across the world, all across the states we’re in every city pretty much a few chapters in every city. So when you see me bouncing around it’s just letting the people know like yo we’re good in every state.” Speaking on his Toronto background James said, “Well I just think Toronto has a dope sound right now. All of our artists are pretty versatile. If you look at Drake, Drake does it all from rapping to singing, he has many different styles that he uses. You look at Tory Lanez, Party Next Door same thing. We’re infusing the Patois and stuff like that into the music. Toronto just has a lock they have a grip on music right now. So I’m proud of my city, it’s definitely influenced me and molded me into the artist that I am today. I think we’re doing well and we can always do better. I think every city over the next like two years is gonna really look within themselves and band together because there is no reason why every city can’t be at the top. Like one city does not necessarily have to be the end all be all.”
The second stop on the Ruff Ryders Reunion Tour is at Foxwoods Casino resort in Connecticut.
