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Powerhouse 2015: Lamar and Future great, but other acts drag

At nearly eight hours and a wrap-up time post-1 a.m., Powerhouse 2015 – Power 99 FM’s tribute to hip-hop and Philly fans at Wells Fargo Center on Friday night – was like going to work and church at the same time. Countless f-bombs made Powerhouse less than holy, but nevertheless it was a religious service in the church of rap. Kendrick Lamar and Future – two of the genre’s most interesting artists – topped the bill. Several less-ready acts made the night shift a rough haul, but the great thankfully outweighed the not-so-great.

Rapper Kendrick Lamar, seen here in a recent performance in Brooklyn, was a standout at the Powerhouse 2015 music festival on Friday, Oct. 23, 2015.
Rapper Kendrick Lamar, seen here in a recent performance in Brooklyn, was a standout at the Powerhouse 2015 music festival on Friday, Oct. 23, 2015.Read moreScott Roth/Invision/AP
    by By A.D. Amorosi, FOR THE INQUIRER, External
    Published 

At nearly eight hours and a wrap-up time post-1 a.m., Powerhouse 2015 – Power 99 FM's tribute to hip-hop and Philly fans at Wells Fargo Center on Friday night – was like going to work and church at the same time. Countless f-bombs made Powerhouse less than holy, but nevertheless it was a religious service in the church of rap. Kendrick Lamar and Future – two of the genre's most interesting artists – topped the bill. Several less-ready acts made the night shift a rough haul, but the great thankfully outweighed the not-so-great.

Powerhouse commenced with PNB Rock and the sartorially resplendent Jidenna. But Rae Sremmurd were the true gunshot that started the show, followed by Migos with its hard toasting and percussion. Crooner/instrumentalist Jermih promised something dynamic, with a lustrous voice and melodies that should have illuminated the kicky "Don't Tell 'Em" and the slurry "Birthday Sex." But the sound was a mess for his set. It straightened out only when Philly rapper Freeway made an appearance. Why couldn't the system have failed during DJ Khaled's lame set with surprise (and, alas, lamer) guest French Montana? Fans dug Khaled and Montana's limp chatter, yet it slowed proceedings almost to a halt. Luckily, Big Sean made matters magical with surging synths, sly raps, and urgent rhythms.

Philly's Meek Mill then hit the stage. On the wonderful side, Mill, consummate showman, brought out his son, boss (Rick Ross), and girlfriend (Nicki Minaj). His raps were cutting and precise. Old songs ("Money on My Mind") were as passionate and aggressive as new ("The Get Back"). Mill even bravely made fun of Drake's new "Hotline Bling" dance video, with some wiggly moves and snarky backtalk aimed at his adversary. But Meek's set went long, and the energy, initially compelling, began to fray and seem manic – especially in comparison to the subtle lyrics, tough, jazzy backgrounds, and incisive rapping of the next performer, Kendrick Lamar.

The eloquent Lamar suited the grand arena setting. He delivered "m.A.A.d city" in a quivering voice, and cut through the funky clatter of "B****, Don't Kill My Vibe" beautifully, even heroically. Yet these subtleties seemed not to suit the audience, who began to seem restless, and Lamar ended his set after only 20 minutes.

Empire co-star Yazz the Greatest didn't help with his set. But the Powerhouse finale was rendered delicious, with the immensity of Future, his deep and weird voice, arcane rhythms, and ominous melodies highlighted in tracks like "Thought It Was A Drought."