Drake Shows Off Love For His Crew At Hartford’s Hot Jam

Drake at Hartford's Hot Jam. (NICK CAITO)

Drake’s Club Paradise tour swept through the Comcast Theatre Monday night, and though the venue may not have totally sold out, it certainly felt like it at times.

With pyrotechnics and a huge battery of monitors, the stage show was impressive. At several points fireworks were set up, though none were as intense as the thrones of red and blue flames, and a typhoon of fog guns during ‘The Motto.”

Drake’s love for his crew was on full display through the well choreographed set. It was filled with crew appearances by openers 2Chainz, Waka Flocka Flame, and Meek Mill, all three of whom were called back up to the stage to perform tracks with Drake.

**Click here to see pictures from the show**

Reggae artist Mavado also made an unannounced guest appearance as Drake ‘Took the club down to Jamaica.” However the only appearance by French Montana, who had his name on the bill, was for a two song stint during Drizzy’s set.

Like any good artist, Drake took some time to give audience shout outs. Over a soulful instrumental track, Drake went past every part of the audience, calling out anyone and everyone who seemed to be enjoying the set. From commenting that a twelve year old deserving a glass of chocolate milk to a woman’s posterior, the 15 minute hype track (give or take, who was keeping count?) was a little long, but entertaining if nothing else.

Second best set of the night probably goes to Waka Flocka Flame. The big bird of lurid southern grit sported huge pink panther bling and matching Nike high tops, flopping about the stage shaking his dreadlocks in spastic spurts before divebombing into the crowd. Swarmed by fans he moved through the pavilion before returning to stage.

Waka Flocka Flame left the stage to roam about the pavilion. (NICK CAITO)

Meek Mill was a close third. While he didn’t launch as much of an on-stage freakout as Waka Flocka, his delivery was deep, strong, and rough.

**Click here to see pictures from the show**

Southington's Jitta On The Track opened the show, playing before his home crowd. (NICK CAITO)

Connecticut’s hometown representative Jitta On The Track opened the show. The self proclaimed hip-hop lumberjack won an OurStage.com competition, giving him a spot on 20 tour dates. Despite a short set, Jitta delivered a solid performance. The Southington native seemed right at home on the Comcast stage.