Copyright Chicago Tribune
It was a scary sight on West Madison. On Halloween eve, Playboi Carti’s “Antagonist 2.0” tour brought out fans of all ages. From the entrance to the merch lines, the United Center was packed with fans draped in all-black outfits inspired by the “I Am Music” rapper’s fashion, as well as gothic outfits with Joker face paint and horror movie masks. Chicago was more than eager to see Carti and his Opium Records artists Homixide Gang, Destroy Lonely and Ken Carson — all with local fanbases strengthened through Lyrical Lemonade and SPKRBX’s annual Summer Smash. Carti headlined the festival in 2024; the others performed this past June. Despite kicking off the tour two weeks ago with an assault charge in Utah, Carti’s Chicago concert felt like a party. Carti had nearly 25,000 people in the United Center passionately singing along with his hits word-for-word. “We got 25,000 people in here! You should be proud of yourselves,” he said. Berto Solorio, the Summer Smash co-founder and SPKRBX head, was one of the organizers of the festivities and spoke to the Tribune about Chicago fans. “I think it’s the energy. When I go to other cities, Chicago just has something special about the energy at the shows since we brought Carti to Chicago in 2017. The energy for him has just been crazy and has grown exponentially. To see him here and sell it out, it fits the pattern,” Solorio said. The arena was enveloped was fog and darkness. Like a portal from hell itself, the mosh pits gaped wide open on the floor when the lights dimmed. The duo of Homixide Meechie and Homixide Beno of Homixide Gang practically blew the roof off with “Lifestyle,” performed atop an intimidating industrial platform backed by a mean live band. The smoke screen coming from the two large black trucks on each side of the pit made it hard to see Homixide Gang (though this could have been by design). Still, the sight of hundreds of fans moving along with their chaotic ringleaders was an image of dystopian fun. Destroy Lonely was next up. Covered by a sea of flashing cerulean lights, his melodic style and songs like “NOSTYLIST” and “screwed up” were a suitable contrast following Homixide Gang’s intensity. Ken Carson was probably the second most-anticipated act. The self-proclaimed “Lord of Chaos” came to collect the souls of his fans with songs like “Money Spread” and the booming “Lord of Chaos.” Fans of his set called for an encore. Admittedly, this reporter has reached the point in his life where nonstop booming bass for four hours might be a bit … much. Sensitive ears might have to stay home or bring earplugs. And when performers were rapping over their vocals, it took away from appreciating their actual voices. Fans didn’t seem to mind. Playboi Carti made his hellish arrival to “Pop Out,” wearing a white button-down shirt, black pants and black sunglasses. The “HBA” rapper’s set bore similarities to his 2024 performance at Summer Smash. This time, he performed atop the front of two black semi trucks. “I want everybody to move,” he yelled to the mosh pit. When it was time for the fan favorite single “HBA,” the atmosphere was thick and tense. Carti had the fans move back. The mosh was huge. While the tour is in support of his latest album, “I Am Music,” Carti didn’t skimp out on favorites from his previous albums, “Whole Lotta Red” and “Die Lit.” Fans raged hard to “Stop Breathing,” “Rockstar Made” and “R.I.P.” Carti’s solo performance of Ye’s “Carnival” was exciting, but fans hoping for Ye himself to show were disappointed. Despite the two having issues in the past, Carti took a moment to honor Ye for impacting his career. “Ye changed my life. Tell him I said that, y’all gotta record it,” he said. For a final farewell, Carti and all of the Opium rappers hopped atop the black trucks to party with the hyped-up crowd. Carti took time to sign autographs and shake hands with his fans. “Chicago is one of my favorite cities to perform in. Tonight’s your night,” he said. Mark Braboy is a freelance writer.
