Gucci Mane’s well-earned Saturday night (Apr 15) set at Coachella 2017 was a true display of his showmanship and overall influence on Atlanta hip-hop. While he’s widely regarded as one of the South’s best A&Rs, Guwop wanted to make sure everyone not familiar with his talent was hip after this event.
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With his longtime collaborator Zaytoven playing the cut in the DJ Booth, Gucci controlled the Sahara tent crowd like a true music conductor—and started the show with his verse from his Drake assisted single, “Both.” Then Wizop went right into the first song he recored after he was released from prison in 2016, “First Day Out.” By this time, the tent was packed wall to wall—meaning no one well was getting in or out until the Atlanta legend was finished with his trap poems.
Rihanna, Travi$ Scott, The Weeknd, French Montana and Drake were all spotted backstage taking in the show like day 1 stans. Guwop also kept his performance moving with early fan favorites like “Bricks,” “Freaky Gurl” and of course “Wasted.” The rapper’s secret “Lemonade” served as an additional refreshment to quench the thirst of sweltering fans in the desert heat.
This all lead to the moment when Gucci figured it was best to invite a cast of his young disciples onstage to further show his O.G. status to the young audience. Lil’ Yachty was the first to touch down with “1 Night,” which then spilled over into Rae Sremmurd and Migos joining the show. The all-star Atlanta posse brought the energy up with “Bad & Boujee.” The very first performance of “Black Beates” with Swae Lee, Slim Jxmmi and Gucci was something that should be hailed as one of Coachella’s most important moments of all time. Lil’ Boat, Quavo, Offset and Takeoff also performed their collaborative track “Peek A Boo” altogether.
This the first time we all linked up and performed this and what better place than Coachella 🎸🎸 https://t.co/CJdMTebWYS
— Swae Lee Lee Swae (@goSwaeLee) April 16, 2017
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Big Gucci had one more trick up his sleeve for the grand finale, and this one did not come from his hometown. To close it out, New York City’s Diddy graced the stage for an abridged Bad Boy Reunion tour set. He bumrushed the stage with his show-stealing verse on Waka Flocka’s 2009 hit “O Let’s Do It (Remix)” , and continued to dance cheerfully to a string of memorable singles. He bounced around to “I Need A Girl (Remix),” “Mo Money Mo Problems,” “All About The Benjamins (Remix),” and more.
However, the man of the hour wasn’t going to let the curtain close without paying homage to one of Atlanta’s unsung heroes, Shawty Lo. The Bowen Homes rapper passed away in late 2016. Knowing that his ol’ friend would have been smiling while watching him onstage, Guwop dedicated an a capella version of “First Day Out” to the late rapper.
For a guy who formerly spent his days trapped in a jail cell, performing at Coachella might have once been an event only fathomable when he closed his eyes at night, but now know the possibilities are endless for one Gucci Mane LaFlare.
.@gucci1017‘s Shawty Lo dedication at #Coachella2017 pic.twitter.com/Ye9r1E6LYD
— Mikey Fresh (@MikeyFresh1) April 16, 2017