Toronto rapper NAV performed the last show of his Never Sleep tour in his hometown last night at Scotiabank Arena.
The Indian Punjabi Sikh artist, who’s signed with The Weeknd’s record label XO, packed the auditorium with loads of fans that eagerly anticipated his arrival, edging into the night.
Born as Navraj Singh Goraya, the 33-year-old rising star started his tour in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Feb. 14.
Singer songwriter Bryson Tiller, who was a special guest throughout NAV’s North American tour, was unable to make the Toronto show due to a “severely damaged” right-ear drum that prohibited him from flying, according to an Instagram story post.
Tiller’s absence was felt as there were long waiting periods between the other two opening acts, as if to fill the void before the main event. Fellow Torontonian and XO label mate, RealestK held his own as the first artist on stage, and was embraced by concertgoers trickling in during his performance.
SoFaygo had a surprisingly long set for an opening act but prepared the crowd with moments they came for with head-knocker fan favourites, such as “Knock Knock,” while DJ Bakkwoods encouraged a few mosh pits.
Around 9:45 p.m., NAV’s official DJ, TJ Banks, warmed the crowd to witness the Reckless artist. The producer-rapper began his set on stage in-between two large horizontal screens that read “Never Sleep” in bright red, and later descended below to the main stage.
The Canadian rapper, sporting his go-to all black get-up with black shades, didn’t demand the audience with an infectious stance or rap cadence, and rarely shared dialogue with the crowd but didn’t need to because his fans knew all the words.
Throughout his hour-long set, NAV performed record after record of his notable catalogue, including “Put In Work,” and “Myself.”
In a heartfelt moment, he asked the crowd to welcome his immigrant parents who were present at their son’s packed arena show in his hometown.
Paying homage to the Greater Toronto Area, he asked the crowd to also make some noise for Brampton, Rexdale and Scarborough.
The night’s highlight was NAV performing one of his biggest singles to date, “Tap,” where he brought the song’s featured artist Meek Mill to the stage. The crowd was overjoyed as the Philadelphia native also performed the hustler’s anthem, “Dreams and Nightmares.”
The outnumbered ladies in the audience experienced an unexpected treat. NAV also shared the stage with his favourite female rapper right now, Brooklyn’s rising rapstress Lola Brooke, who performed “Don’t Play With It.”
Mill teased a collaboration with Brooke on his Instagram recently, after she has repeatedly mentioned Mill as one of her favourite artists and dream collaborator.
As she performed, Meek Mill trailed behind her, recording her every move as a proud father. It was a touching moment NAV created for the two artists who came together on stage for the first time in Toronto.
Just when it seemed the night was winding down, Travis Scott burst onto the stage performing his many collaborations with NAV, including “Beibs In The Trap” and the tour’s title record, “Never Sleep” and his own “Antidote” and “Sicko Mode.”
Despite an underwhelming stage presence, NAV gave Toronto a night to remember filled with star-studded appearances and undeniable hit after hit.
