NEW ORLEANS — Last weekend thousands crowded the Smoothie King Center, packing the arena to see a rising star who was born right here in the Crescent City.
As a little boy who was born during the Cash Money and No Limit reign, he brings national attention to the 504. And he returned to where it all started.
Acclaimed rapper Rob49 hit the stage for the third annual Vulture Island weekend experience on Saturday, June 15, performing alongside hip-hip heavy hitters like MoneyBagg Yo and local artist Subtweet Shawn. Drawing in over 15,000 people, the show marked a significant milestone in the budding star's career.
"A lot of hometowns don't support their hometown artists, so having them come outside for me is crazy, I'm so thankful," he said.
Young fans talked about how important his representation is for the city.
"It's so good because after Hurricane Katrina, you wouldn't think anyone from New Orleans would blow up," a fan said.
Though only four years into his career, the emcee has already crossed generational lines bringing together fans of all ages. Among the crowd were a father-son duo and a 9-year-old music lover attending her very first concert.
"I heard about Rob49, my son put me on this is a Father's Day winning weekend," one dad said. "I like concerts, I like watching them online but this is my first concert, so I'm here to see."
This year, the rapper blessed three families with a life-changing surprise by paying for the release of several fathers from jail just in time for Father's Day. In recognition of his philanthropic efforts, he was honored with a proclamation from the city.
A full circle moment for the artist who grew up five minutes away from the arena in the Iberville Housing Development.
"You good in your neighborhood, you got big but now it's an influence on the world, " Rob49 said. "Giving back to the community, I'm the one really doing this. And we're selling out arenas, I think I deserve it."
Rob49's rise to fame is a powerful reminder of the vibrant talent emerging from New Orleans. Before hitting the road to perform at the next sold-out arena, there was one last stop the Nola native had to make.
" I gotta go to Cajuns, I gotten get the lomein, the shrimp fried rice, I gotta get everything."
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