One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Lil Wayne, T-Pain and Gym Class Heroes at Gibson Amphitheater
Rap artist Lil Wayne appeared at Gibson Amphitheater on Sunday night for the L.A. leg of his modestly titled "I Am Music Tour". Sharing the bill was T-Pain, which probably stands for 'Terrible Pain' after he somehow crashed a golf cart and missed the Friday night San Jose date of the tour to have four teeth replaced. He didn't seem affected though, as he gyrated and sang his way through a varied and energetic set of infectious hip-hop tunes based around a circus motif, with everything from mimes to midgets.
"That's f---ing true," Pain said about the mishap. "It did happen like three days ago. My ass is on fire right now. My side hurt, my mouth hurt," he added, before reassuring the ladies that his critical appendage was still fully functional.
The crowd chanted "Weezy, Weezy Weezy" to welcome Lil Wayne, who topped off the evening with a parade of his solo hits interspersed with plenty of his collaborations. He got help along the way by his opening acts' members, Keri Hilson and Travis McCoy of Gym Class Heroes. The multi-Grammy-winning Wayne kept the audience moving for the entire set by cranking out hit after hit, accentuated by elaborate stage pyrotechnics including fire blasts, smoke and plenty of amazing dancing.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
