It was a chilly night in what seemed like the dead of winter but I wasn’t about to stay cooped up indoors in my uggboots and miss St Louis’ finest debut Adelaide performance. Wondering what the turnout would be like, it was a pleasant surprise to find that HQ had filled out nicely when I rolled up to check the support acts. While the underground heads generally skip out on local support, fronting up later, just in time for the internationals, it was nice to see that Adelaide’s more commercially-bent hip hop crowd came out bright and early to catch all the action. A sign of good things to come…

The supports did their thing – DJ Demize, Ignition Crew’s DJ Lisa D and FBI alongside Thee Immaculate and Red Ice – while the crowd mingled and got their drink on. A lone guitarist then entered stage left. Lit by a warm spotlight, he quietly strummed the strings of his guitar, eventually linking the chords into the familiar melody which underpins one of Chingy’s classic joints, One Call Away. Surely it wasn’t that time yet? After this slightly puzzling introuduction, multicultural collective NTSA (*Mike Samoa*, Tiffinz, J-Castell and Dan The Underdog) were up next. With perhaps a few too many emcees trying to spit on the mic at once, NTSA’s avid local following saw the crowd whip themselves into a frenzy. DJ Krisp kept the crowd hyped until the time had come for the night’s main attraction…

The anticipation brimmed as Chingy appeared in a rhinestone-clad T and baggy jeans. Despite being joined by fellow-emcee Nitty Gritty and DJ Rich Money, Ching-a-ling held it down. The definitive centre of attention, I found my eyes glued to him. Belting out all his club-friendly hits, from Holidae In to Baller Baby, Chingy delivering a lengthy and dynamic set. Personal favourite Dem Jeans set the roof on fire while Right Thurr was of the chizain!

Despite the hoards of screaming groupies, and continuous shout outs for all the girls “and five of their friends” to check the after party at The Intercontinental, the vibe was feel-good from beginning to end. An intimate, up-close and personal show with an international rap super-star and all-round great night out. I must say I walked out a little starry-eyed thinking, ‘where is The Intercontinental again?’