Nelly, Ja Rule, Chingy
April 14, 2025
Canadian Tire Centre, Ottawa, ON
In case you were sitting at home wondering, “Where the Party at?” on a Monday night, the answer was the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa. Hip hop artists Chingy, Ja Rule, and Nelly brought the Where the Party at tour through town, and Ottawa showed up!
DJ Aktive warmed things up and kept the momentum going between sets – which is lucky because the show was significantly behind schedule getting started (although there was some confusion amongst fans as the bill initially indicated the show started at 8 – however several fans lined up before doors at 7 after receiving notifications that things were kicking off at 7:30 instead. (They didn’t).
Howard Earl Bailey Jr., known as Chingy, took the stage and reminded Canada’s capital that he was “Right Thurr” all along. Performing a collection of his top hits (including Right Thurr), Chingy reminded Ottawa of what he was all about. St. Louis artist Chingy reportedly started writing lyrics at the age of 9, and has amassed a long list of accomplishments as a multi-platinum artist, and has also acted in some small screen roles. Most recently, Chingy has become the author of “Conscious Creation Manifestation,” published in July 2024.
Ja Rule was next up on the bill, and I have to admit, having purchased tickets to the ’90s Nostalgia concert in Vaughan in 2021 (that Ja Rule didn’t show up for – later attributed to covid protocols), I was skeptical he would show up. After sightings were confirmed in Halifax, I was optimistic! As with all the shows I’m heading to (and I know I’m not alone here), I cued up a playlist to refresh myself on all the hits. In spite of my previous let-downs, I had to admit I was still a Ja Rule fan. And when Ja Rule rolled out of bed on stage and proceeded to get dressed, I think the ladies would agree that Ja Rule is still bringing his A-Game! Performing hits including Put it On Me, Ï Cry, and Mesmerize, Ja Rule was a smoke show. Literally. There were pillars of smoke. He also got up close and personal with the audience, threading his way through the crowd as he performed Livin’ It Up. Overall, he put on a great show.
Three-time Grammy Award Winner, actor, and entrepreneur Cornell Haynes Jr. – better known as Nelly– headlined the show, bringing along St. Lunatics, City Spud, and other special guests. Having seen Nelly perform in the not-too-distant past in Peterborough (2023) I knew we were in for a good time! Performing obvious choices, including Where the Party At, E.I., and Hot in Herre, Nelly mixed in a few surprises, which included having J-Kwon join him on stage to perform his smash hit Tipsy (recently reworked and sent to a new level of popularity by Shaboozey). Also included on the special guest list was St. Louis rapper Murphy Lee (a member of St. Lunatics), who also launched a solo career in the 2000s. With an impressive show including pyrotechnics, dancers, and a catalogue of hits, Nelly gave Ottawa a night to remember.
Nelly and all his friends continue their tour through Canada, with stops in Montreal on April 15 (which we hear is a sold-out show!), Winnipeg, April 18, and continuing on to the West Coast with stops in Saskatoon, Edmonton, Calgary, winding the Canadian portion of the tour down in Vancouver on April 24th.