A stacked set: Zedd and 2 Chainz rock Block Party 2014

After a morning of eating, drinking and celebrating the end of the school semester at MayFest, Syracuse University students headed to the Carrier Dome for a night with 2 Chainz and Zedd that surely did not disappoint. 

DJ Brazzabelle opened the show with her signature house mixes that got the crowd off its feet and swaying back and forth. The energy could be felt throughout the Dome as audience members screamed in anticipation of 2 Chainz and Zedd.

Photo: Courtesy of Erica Bernstein/University Union (Copyright 2014)

Hip-hop giant 2 Chainz gave a high-energy performance at Block Party.

After Brazzabelle’s set, DJ-Sudd — 2 Chainz’s personal DJ — brought out the Georgia-based rapper. Once 2 Chainz hit the stage, things kicked off quickly as the audience continued to stand up and scream for the 6 foot 5 inch hip-hop giant, who rocked the Dome stage for the first time. The lanky rapper towered over the stage while belting out lyrics to “Fork.” Throughout the show, Chainz provided audience members with a steady stream of music, including his remix with hip-hop artist Drake, “All Me,” as well as top hits “Bands Will Make Her Dance,” “Riot” and R.I.P.”

2 Chainz swaggered back and forth rocking a backward black hat, shades, a black and white jacket, and of course, two chain links. Once he had full command of the stage, 2 Chainz called for backup. Harlem, N.Y., native A$AP Ferg popped on stage screaming the words to his hit single, “Shabba.” “Short n----, but my d--- tall, what I told your b---- dog,” he shouted through the microphone as Chainz rapped along with him. From then on, the energy was heightened in the room when Ferg ran off stage. 

It may have been hard for some people to listen to the profanity in the room. The rapper noticed it, saying in between songs, “Let me slow it down before I get a ticket.” Throughout his performance, the rapper shouted to the audience to cop his upcoming EP, "Freebase," set to be released May 5. The rapper is currently on his “ 2 GOOD T.R.U. Tour.” To cap the rapper's performance off, he exited the stage performing “I’m Different.”

After a brief intermission, Russian-German DJ Zedd started his set with bright colors and flashing lights. Two screens separated in two as futuristic images flashed across them, neon lights illuminated the audience and smoke filled the room. Zedd’s mixes had everyone on their feet in an intergalactic world. For senior political science major Milan Sledge, it wasn’t the first time she has seen Zedd perform, but it was worth it. 

“The show was amazing,” Sledge said. “It was the second Zedd concert I’ve been to and yet again was an experience. The beat drops, light display, lasers. The energy was everything.”