Sunday 24/09/06 Jay-Z, Lupe Fiasco, Kano, Akala @ Wembley Arena, London

After a lengthy queue and stringent security check, Gigwise finally make it into Wembley arena, only to be punished for our efforts – middle-class-ghetto-superstar-wannabe, and Miss Dynamite's ickle brother Akala is prattling on onstage, either about the bloody obvious (taxes and the congestion charge being bullshit, war being wrong etc.) or the ****ing ridiculous (comparing himself to William Shakespeare). Not good.

Good job then that by the time we find our seats, Kano comes busting out to appease the unimpressed masses. The audience reaction is phenomenal – could just be relief that Akala has ****ed off, or the sheer joy that East London’s finest is on top form. KA churns out the regular hits, ‘Ps & Qs’, ‘Typical Me’ etc. and a banging version of ‘Home Sweet Home’ spat rather competently over Gnarls Barkley’s ‘Crazy’. The crowd are also treated to a new track from the upcoming new album, a real return to the old school with some deep, sub-lo grimeyness.
 
Like a little whirlwind in baggy jeans and massive shades, Lupe Fiasco explodes onto the stage and keeps the crowds energy levels literally ‘Touching the Sky’ (sorry). Like all big brash American rappers there is plenty of hyped up shouting for the crowd to get there claws into, as hits such as ‘Kick Push’, and ‘Daydream’ hit with excessive bass driven force. Although criminally short, Lupe’s set gives the crowd enough of a taster to get them reaching for their wallets, ready to pick up his new album ‘Food and Liquor’, convenient released tomorrow. And he has an inexplicably shiny bomber jacket. Jealous.

Ooooooeeeeeaaaaaa, this reviewer hasn’t been this excited pre-gig, since … ever, and as we fend off the urge to squeal and/or wet myself with excitement, the Jigga man takes to the stage in a blaze of pyrotechnics, flashing screens and thumping bass lines. The screeching sample from the ‘Public Service Announcement Interlude’, and the accompanying fire balls are quite the spectacle, with Jay-Z looking every bit the superstar in a diamond encrusted hoody, diamond encrusted t-shirt, and yes, you guessed it diamond encrusted chain.