Bun B’s all-American takeover celebrated black and brown talent from across the country

Legendary Texas rapper Bun B is understood not just for his solo profession, but additionally as one half of the iconic hip-hop duo Underground Kingz (UGK). His influence reaches far beyond Texas, and the “country rap” sound created by Pimp C is reaching the masses. His position earned him a coveted appearance at Black Heritage night at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo. It was here that he introduced his groundbreaking “Takeover” live shows, a one-day extravaganza that brings a constellation of artists to Houston’s NRG Stadium during peak rodeo season.

During his inaugural 2022 “Takeover” event, Bun B spotlighted H-Town’s OG rap talent, assembling an all-star lineup of local stars including Lil Keke, Slim Thug, Z-Ro, Paul Wall, and even the Destiny’s Child alum LeToya Luckett. Building on this success, the following yr Bun B expanded its reach regionally with Southern Takeover, which featured iconic acts equivalent to 8 Ball & MJG, Erykah Badu and David Banner.

In 2024, the emcee took his “Takeover” concept to a brand new level with the “All-American” theme, showcasing diverse contributions to hip-hop from across the country. The event provided a glimpse into Houston’s vibrant music scene, St. Louis, Miami, New York, Philadelphia and Atlanta. The lineup included a powerhouse band that included Nelly, Eve, The Ying Yang Twins, Rick Ross, E-40 and Too Short – 33 songs and 90 minutes of nostalgic hits.

As a part of the promotion and marketing of the show, Bun B slowly and deliberately announced the names of the artists who would join him on stage for the US-wide enterprise. Before the show, Bun B announced that Canadian rapper Drake would even be at the show, but like Houston, you never really know who will show up.

In addition to showcasing these key talents on the Rodeo’s major stage, Bun B took meticulous care of each aspect of the performance. Kicking off the show with a blinding display of fireworks and pyrotechnics, it ignited an electrifying atmosphere even before the artists took to the stage. Moreover, to extend anticipation and excitement, each performer was introduced via jumbotron, setting the stage for his or her extraordinary performances. The show began with a dialogue between Chad “Ocho Cinco” Johnson and Shannon Sharpe, hosts of the acclaimed YouTube show, to organize the audience.

Bun B ceremoniously took the stage, opening his set along with his iconic song “Draped Up” while adorned in a cowboy hat and a custom poncho emblazoned along with his name. As the crowd vibrated to his opening song, their attention was soon redirected to the jumbotron, where charismatic Oakland resident Marshawn Lynch took over the screen. Lynch introduced each E-40 and Too Short, announcing their arrival on stage to deliver electrifying renditions of their hits including “Ghost Ride The Whip” and “Blow The Whistle”, igniting the audience with their infectious energy and undeniable stage presence .

The night was just starting, promising a marathon of unforgettable performances. Bun B brought the energy from the West Coast to the Midwest as Cedric The Entertainer virtually introduced us to iconic rapper Nelly taking the stage. With hits equivalent to “Hot In Here” and “EI”, Nelly kept the audience in suspense and emotion. The highlight then moved to the East Coast as Eve, the only female artist on the lineup, took the stage. Known as Ruff Ryders’ first lady, Eve captivated audiences together with her rousing performances of classics equivalent to “Who’s That Girl,” “Let Me Blow Ya Mind” and “Tambourine.”

After Philadelphia native Eve’s electrifying performances, the journey continued south to Atlanta, where the crowd was immersed in Ying Yang Twins’ iconic Y2K-era songs like “Salt Shaker” and “Get Low.” Despite the high-octane energy pulsing through the stadium, the night was not over yet. Moving seamlessly from Atlanta to Miami, the audience was introduced to Rick Ross by his “We The Best” co-star, DJ Khaled. Ross delivered a rousing set, specializing in his mainstream hits equivalent to “Hustlin'” and “BMF,” keeping the night moving and keeping the audience on their feet.

Given all the hits Drake and Rick Ross have had together, fans naturally assumed Drake was about to take the stage, but after the Miami native’s performance, the performance was limited to the jumbotron to receive a message from Houston’s Scarface. , which introduced the audience to Baytown, Texas rapper That Mexican OT. He performed his viral hit “Johnny Dang.”

Returning the highlight to his beloved Houston, Bun B took the moment to grace the stage with a strong performance of “Trill” in the thunderous presence of Le$, Slim Thug and Houston’s Lil Keke, whose records have served as a logo of the city’s culture. Continuing his tribute to the city’s wealthy musical heritage, Bun B delved into the archives of UGK’s groundbreaking album, , inviting the audience to a heartfelt performance of the poignant “One Day.” Accompanied by George Ryan Bingham, lead guitarist of the acclaimed TV series, the performance took on an ethereal feel as Bun B paid tribute to fallen legends equivalent to Pimp C, DJ Screw, Big Moe and Fat Pat. This touching moment was much more meaningful since it was the first performance following the premature death of Houston’s Big Pokey, who tragically died of a heart attack in June 2023.

After a brief break, Bun B himself took the stage to introduce Drake, who had long considered Houston his artistic home, since it was here, at Warehouse Live, that the artist first impressed and had his breakthrough. Drake kicked off his set with the infectious “N 2 Deep,” a nod to Bun B’s classic “Get Throwed” that blends old with recent. From there, he delved into his extensive discography, treating audiences to hits equivalent to “Energy” from , the anthemic “God’s Plan” from , and the iconic “Hotline Bling” from . The crowd was much more delighted when Drake performed “Rich Baby Daddy” from the album, culminating in a spectacular finale complete with a blinding light show and cascade of fireworks, marking the triumphant conclusion of the 2024 takeover.

As the evening drew to an in depth, Bun B graciously returned to the stage one last time, expressing his heartfelt gratitude to everyone in attendance, before launching right into a spectacular rendition of Outkast’s hit “International Players Anthem.” However, just when it seemed that the evening couldn’t get any more legendary, a surprise guest appeared on stage – none apart from DMC from Run DMC. The two hip-hop icons, accompanied by Bun B, placed on an electrifying performance, with Bun B wearing a cheeky “Bun DMC” T-shirt and adding a funny twist on an unforgettable moment.

Featuring never-before-seen hip-hop icons, this yr’s show was an enormous success, drawing the second-largest rodeo attendance this season (over 75,000 fans), just shy of Nickelback’s paid attendance of 75,036. While fans eagerly awaiting what the future holds, speculation is running rampant as to what Bun B has in store for 2025. With a wealth of talent still untapped and his takeover franchise reaching recent heights, there isn’t a doubt that the next installment guarantees to be his most spectacular yet. at the same time, he cemented his status as an elder statesman in the world of hip-hop extravaganzas.