Review: A “Summer Block Party” Was Had with Jodeci, SWV and Dru Hill

With a tour called the “Summer Block Party Tour,” one can imagine what takes place, but Jodeci was able to curate a tour filled with hits among them and fellow 90’s group SWV and Dru Hill, encompassing the energy of the title.

For a little over three hours, the groups had individual sets that took the audience through the motions with uptempo tracks, ballads, dancing and mics on.

On July 27, the Summer Block Party tour took place in Baltimore on its second day, the hometown of all four original members of Dru Hill. From the moment they took the stage, that was an aura of familiarity and love exuded.

All members were decked out in all-white outfits and ran through the classics like “Tell Me,” “Beauty,” “In My Bed” and “These Are The Times.” The moment “Tell Me” came on, there was. vibration felt as audience members did the iconic bounce with them.

The group also brought out Christopher Williams to perform “Am I Dreaming,” a song the group sang background vocals on in.

While nostalgia plays a part in watching certain groups, it was hard not to notice there were issues of flow with so many current members of a group on stage, mixed with a live band and background dancers.

With Baltimore being the second show of the tour, and Dru Hill’s hometown; there was a special feeling of reciprocation in the city. Every current member had a moment to sing with their individual parts and at various points, glided across the stage: Sisqo, Nokio, Jazz, Smoke, tao and Scola.

Coming up on 27 years since Dru Hill’s debut album, the group acknowledged that accolade, thanking the city of Baltimore for its support and received a standing ovation in the process.

SWV came out like a well-oiled machine, shining in their sequenced suits and resetting the tone for their set with their dancers first hitting the stage. The ladies graced Baltimore with vocals and dance moves and it was clear the group was having fun.

Not only did the group shine with their classic hits like “So Into You,” “Rain,” “Always On My Mind” and more, but Taj, Lelee and Coko had their own individual moments at the mic. Coko performed “Sunshine,” Taj performed “Heard It All Before” by Sunshine Anderson and LeLee performed “How Does It Feel” by D’Angelo.

Getting all four members of Jodeci is a moment in itself, and that moment was felt throughout the crown when the lights dimmed, the ban started playing, and each member walked out one by one; building the anticipation.

The energy, grit and feeling that Jodeci possessed in the 90s continued throughout their adulthood and could be seen on stage. From well-known hits like “Freek’n You,” and “Come and Talk To Me,” to the album cuts, the “bad boys of R&B” came together and delivered a show reminiscent of how they musically received that title.

The classic hits the groups all possess help build the bond of a Summer Block Party. Growing up and having experiences with the groups and their songs, watching the audience belt out songs with their hearts; there was a feeling