Concert review: Big Boi, Chip Tha Ripper, & A-Trak | 05.19.26, Hollywood Casino Amphitheater (with photo gallery)

Photo of Chip Tha Ripper by Sevauna Stageman

Kid Cudi’s stop at Hollywood Casino Amphitheater in St. Louis felt like a big summer celebration. From the moment fans started pouring into the venue, the energy stayed high all night. With Chip Tha Ripper opening the show and Big Boi bringing a wave of nostalgia before it was time for Cudi to headline, the openers felt perfectly put together to prime the fans for an unforgettable trip through Kid Cudi’s discography.

Chip Tha Ripper got the night started with a laid back and fun set that had the growing crowd moving. His performance leaned more into a chill, feelgood vibe than the acts to follow that made him a perfect opener. Songs like “Catch tha Beat” and “Light One Up” brought plenty of energy, while “Feel Good” closed his set on a high note that fit the summer atmosphere at the Amphitheater perfectly. The biggest crowd reaction came during “Interior Crocodile Alligator,” a funny singalong that took over the internet a few years back. Fans were of course shouting the lyrics, enjoying the blast from the past. Even fans who may not have known Ripper, the energy of every fan grew with each track. He perfectly was able to get the crowd warmed up, setting a fun tone for the night.

After a tight DJ set from A-Trak kept the energy up, Big Boi felt like the perfect final opener for Cudi. From the moment “ATLiens” started, the now almost-filled amphitheater was bopping along to every beat. Big Boi turned his set into a celebration of hip-hop history, moving through Outkast classics like ““So Fresh, So Clean,” “Ms. Jackson,” and “B.O.B.” without missing a beat. The crowd response was fantastic with hitting tracks that everyone knows and loves. The mix of nostalgia and his own material kept the energy up the whole time. The crowd at Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre was perfectly energized and ready for Kid Cudi. | Sevauna Stageman