Iconic rap artist Afroman was the headliner at Chico’s Tackle Box bar on Saturday.

The sold-out show was already packed by 8 p.m., well before openers even took to the stage. The crowd was in good spirits as they waited for the live music to start, passing the time by heading to the dance floor. 

A live DJ played a mix of pop, rap and old-school rhythm and blues to appeal to a mix of older and younger groups present in the audience. Those who weren’t on the dance floor still sang from their tables, opting to check out some of the Tackle Box’s renowned food and drink menu items before the live bands began. 

The show began with some original performances by a few local Chico rappers, including Brad Bridges, Jason Starners, B. Lee and Blaze 1. Afterward, singer and rapper Lil Sodi introduced Afroman on the stage. The two have worked together since 2018 when they released their single ‘Bacc to the 80Z.’ 

“I love Chico, it’s great to be bacc in California,” Afroman commented on Instagram while on his way to the venue. 

Afroman was decked out from head to toe in green and gold, sporting a custom-made Adidas jogger with a marijuana leaf symbol and gold chains. Even his cup, which he held onto during the entire show, was covered in diamond designs and pop art. 

The star performed most of the songs from his 2001 album “The Good Times.” Taking frequent breaks in between sets to jam out on his custom double-necked guitar, the audience was quickly reminded of his musical abilities in addition to his lyrical talent. The small venue and low stage allowed him to easily interact with the crowd, often singing directly into glaring phone cameras and clinking cups with the audience. 

He ended his performance with a rendition of his two most popular songs  “Because I got High” and “Crazy Rap (Colt 45 & 2 Zig Zags),” both of which had lyrics tailored to suit Chico residents. 

Tackle Box Chico hosts live shows every weekend, often featuring local artists. 

Kirstin Joyce can be reached at [email protected] or @joyce_kirstin on Twitter.