On Tuesday evening, March 25, fans flooded Dallas' The Echo Music Lounge for the artist’s nationwide tour stop. The sold-out audience showcased the rapper’s influence, with most wearing signature attire such as Los Angeles Dodgers apparel and wardrobes that exuded West Coast fashion. Many were surprised by the turnout.
“I definitely didn’t expect this,” said Rene Campos Jr., an excited fan.
Longtime Dom Kennedy collaborator Casey Veggies prepared the crowd with an energetic set for the headliner. He united the audience with a tribute to the late Mac Miller by performing his biggest hits: “Backflip,” “Tied Up” and “On Me.” Veggies acknowledged the crowd's excitement for Dom Kennedy by asking if they wanted him to leave the stage.
“Y’all not fucking with me,” he said. “You want me to get off stage so you can see Dom. You just want to see Dom.”
With no intermission, Dom Kennedy began his performance with a deep cut from his catalog, “Platinum Chanel." It's been years since Kennedy has entertained Dallas audiences, but the sold-out crowd welcomed him back with tremendous love.
“I love you, Dom,” women screamed across the venue, one after the other, as the rapper took a moment to appreciate his fans.
Dom Kennedy (@DOPEITSDO) performs “Platinum Chanel” at @TheEchoDallas on March 25, 2025. pic.twitter.com/P8k7bWzTde
— Bryson “Boom” Paul (@brysonboompaul) March 26, 2025
After performing “Grind’n,” another deep cut, Kennedy seemed to focus on the women in the audience to produce louder “I love you, Dom” screams.
“All the ladies say 'Ahhhh,” Kennedy instructed them. Then, he gave them what they wanted by performing the fan-favorite song “I Love Dom.“
He acknowledged the city's sentimental value to him and its unwavering support. “We were in Houston last night, but Dallas is something special, for real,” he said. “I don’t take none of this for granted.”
He continued to showcase his B-side collection, including “We Ball,” “Gold Alpinas” and “After School," as the audience recited all the song’s ad-libs. That seemed to astonish Kennedy. He also spoke of his love for an intimate set following a huge performance last week at Los Angeles’ Rolling Loud festival.
Kennedy gave fans what they wanted on Wednesday night and remembered old friends.
Bryson "Boom" Paul
“I was at Rolling Loud a couple of weeks ago. It was cool, but I like this right here," he said. "Dallas, Texas, baby. I love you for real, appreciate the energy.”
Kennedy built a legacy in hip-hop on independence and originality. He is from Leimert Park, California, and his career began in 2008. His signature laid-back, offbeat rhymes generated buzz in Los Angeles due to the popularity of his now-classic song “Watermelon Sundae.”
He achieved stardom in 2011 with his mixtape, From The Westside With Love II, which includes Kennedy essentials such as “Grind’n,” “When I Come Around” and “I Love Dom.”
Kennedy thrived during a memorable era of new West Coast hip-hop stars who would ascend to become legends, including Kendrick Lamar, YG, Nipsey Hussle and The Game. With his peers, he released memorable songs such as “My Type of Party,” “Still Callin” and “Best Friends.” His recent collaborators include Nas, Jay-Z and Big Sean.
Kennedy and Nipsey Hussle were more than collaborators; they were best friends while the Victory Lap creator was alive. Kennedy took a moment on Wednesday to pay tribute to Nipsey Hussle’s love for Dallas with the performance of fan favorites “Double Up” and “Pleeze.”
“This next song, I want to do something for my dog,” Kennedy told the crowd. “I know he would love to be here.”
To honor Nip's spirit, the crowd recited his parts perfectly, mimicking the late rapper’s mannerisms.
“Now when I say Nipsey, y’all say Hussle,” Kennedy instructed the crowd to chant while ending the performance of “Pleeze.”
The city will likely never forget Nipsey Hussle’s last visit to Dallas in 2018. In 2019, Dallas fans held a balloon vigil for the slain rapper just days after he was shot to death in Los Angeles. A mural of Neighborhood Nip, painted by Jeremy Biggers, continues to attract visitors to south Oak Cliff.
Kennedy closed the show with must-plays “My Type of Party” and “When I Come Around,” but before that, the night’s biggest highlight occurred when the audience erupted to perform “Still Callin.” From the top floor to the bar, everyone sang along word for word. The overwhelming energy prompted the rap star to take another moment.
“I see the balcony going crazy,” he said. “I love you more, believe dat.”
