Ginuwine And Dru Hill Left Everything On The Stage At Yaamava’ Casino Concert
Yaamava’ Resort and Casino in San Manuel, Calif., set the perfect stage for a night of R&B excellence headlined by Ginuwine and Dru Hill. Lucky ticketholders made their way around flashy slot machines and sleek blackjack tables and into a time machine back to the 1990s. Assorted groups of women enjoying a Tuesday ladies night and a handful of couples on romantic dates gathered at the bar for “Tell Me” margaritas, “Stingy” mules, and the “So Anxious” whisky sours. Primed for a party, the excitement was not limited to concert attendees.
“Casinos are great to do shows,” Ginuwine remarked to VIBE ahead of the show as he sat patiently backstage in his green room after a quick fan meet and greet. “It feels good. I’m glad that I’m around my people. I’m glad I’m around the people who supported me for going on 30 years. It is a blessing for me.”
With the solo crooner up first for his debut at the award-winning venue, Ginuwine seduced an excited audience with fan favorite records, career hits, and a contagious charisma. Women squealed and screamed from in front of the stage edge to the back of the balcony.
On stage, his enthusiasm translated into an absorbing performance for true fans who were thrilled to be regaled with the sexy, intimate stylings of the ‘90s. Joined by a live band and background singers clad in all-white, Ginuwine’s team played their respective roles with aplomb and skill..
The heartthrob’s set featured his signature dance moves, passionate pleading, and a moment where he passed the mic to various audience members (who could all somehow sing down). Songs performed included “Stingy,” “Freaking You,” “Same Ol’ G,” a tribute to Aaliyah with “Miss You,” and of course, his debut hit single “Pony.”
“That’s a number one song,” the 54-year-old reflected to VIBE. “Shout out to Timbaland. Static Major, rest in peace. Love him. We created magic. We created a great song. I’m thankful for that. I’m blessed and I’m appreciative all the time. We were just talking about that. If there’s one person who has always been the most valuable in my life and in my future, it’s Timbaland…Shout out to him and Missy [Elliot], Aaliyah, Static, Playa, and Boogieman.”
Ginuwine’s bright smile under the spotlight said more than his words could in setting the stage for Dru Hill, who continued the nostalgic affair. (A longer-than-expected intermission added a restless energy to the audience.) But all frustrations were immediately released once Sisqó appeared at center stage.
The Unleash The Dragon performer appeared solo before being joined by his group members, Nokio, Smoke, and Black, formerly the group Playa. The nearly one-hour set highlighted the importance of showmanship and vocal talent, echoed the vibe set by Ginuwine, and paid homage to the yesteryears of R&B and the “school of Jodeci.”
“It’s called singing. These microphones are on,” boasted the group to the crowd’s roaring applause. The playful jab poked at younger fans in the audience who might not be accustomed to seeing more contemporary favorites sing live. And he had every right to make this fact loud and clear.
Dru Hill’s setlist included “Tell Me,” “5 Steps,” “In My Bed,” “We’re Not Making Love No More,” and a solo cover of D’Angelo’s “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” by Smoke. The show ended with a performance of Sisqó’s “Thong Song,” a theatrical ending to an evening of skill and swagger.
With the appropriate reverence paid to the decades of work put in by the men standing proudly on the stage, Ginuwine and Dru Hill aced the test of time. Each act maintained their relevance and the audience’s attention not by dwelling on past glories or attempting to recreate what once was, but by casting themselves as the respected veterans of their craft and the R&B genre. They’re still stars and men whose talent allows them to both exist and create on their own terms.
After all, they’ve earned it. Put some respect on Ginuwine and Dru Hill’s names.