Wale took the stage. It was time to start his Minnesotan stop of the *Every Blue Moon* tour. Hailing from Washington, D.C., Wale had an energy that was palpable throughout his entire performance that spoke of his numerous musical lives. He began with “Lotus Flower Bomb,” a classic track that set up a slow trickle of tracks from his latest album. His backdrop visuals, which were a blend of vibrant blues, enhanced the emotional depth of his performance, as he lyrically reflected on themes of love, success, and ego that permeate his work. Wale’s stage presence and authentic storytelling created an intimate atmosphere, which made his performance of “The Need To Know”, which features SZA, a perfect encapsulation of why Wale is a legend.

George Faseemo