Starlito and Bandplay brought their Not The Country You Know Tour to Minglewood Hall on Friday night, May 29, delivering a performance that highlighted the chemistry between one of Tennessee’s most respected lyricists and one of the state’s most accomplished producers.
The Memphis stop of the tour celebrated the duo’s latest collaborative project while revisiting records that have helped define both artists’ careers. While the venue was not filled to capacity, the artists’ core supporters showed up in force, creating an atmosphere that felt intimate, authentic and deeply connected to the music.
The evening opened with DJ CP The Great and Bandplay giving fans a reminder of why the Columbia, Tennessee native has remained one of the South’s most influential producers for the better part of a decade. Bandplay took the audience through an impressive catalog of hits he has helped create over the last 10 years.
As DJ CP The Great worked the crowd, records such as Key Glock and Young Dolph’s “Water on Water on Water” and “Major,” Megan Thee Stallion’s “Ungrateful,” BigXthaPlug’s “Whip It” and “The Largest,” and Bankroll Freddie and Megan Thee Stallion’s “Pop It” blasted through Minglewood Hall. The sequence served as a reminder that Bandplay’s fingerprints can be found on some of the most recognizable Southern rap records of the past decade.
The producer showcase was more than an opening set. It was a celebration of a career that has helped shape the sound of modern Southern hip-hop while connecting artists from Memphis, Texas, Nashville and beyond.
Once Starlito emerged, he wasted little time getting into the music. Throughout the night, the Nashville native delivered a mix of fan favorites and newer material, including “You Don’t Know the Half,” “All I Do,” “Where I’ve Been,” “Exotic,” “Unblock Me” and the tour’s title track, “Not The Country You Know.”
One of the night’s standout moments came when Don Trip joined Starlito on stage for performances of “Caesar & Brutus” and “Schadenfreude.” The pair’s chemistry was evident as fans rapped along to every word, creating some of the loudest reactions of the evening.
The surprises did not stop there. Rising Memphis artist Eddie Valero also made an appearance, giving the crowd an unexpected treat. Valero and Don Trip were brought out separately during the show, but their appearances carried additional significance as the two recently released their collaborative project, “Armageddon.”
Adding to the night’s entertainment was a running joke between Starlito and DJ CP The Great. Several times throughout the evening, Starlito playfully reminded the DJ that the event was Starlito and Bandplay’s Not The Country You Know Tour and not just a Starlito show. The exchanges drew laughter from the audience and showcased the relaxed camaraderie among the artists on stage.
From beginning to end, the audience remained engaged, reciting lyrics, recording favorite moments and showing appreciation for the artists who have built their careers through consistency and authenticity. Unlike many mainstream rap concerts, the night felt less driven by spectacle and more by the connection between the performers and the fans who have supported them throughout the years.
The performance underscored what has made the Starlito-Bandplay partnership successful. Bandplay’s thumping production provided the perfect backdrop for Starlito’s introspective storytelling, while surprise appearances from Don Trip and Eddie Valero further emphasized the depth of Tennessee’s hip-hop talent.
By the end of the night, the Memphis stop felt less like a traditional concert and more like a celebration of Tennessee rap culture, bringing together artists from Nashville, Columbia and Memphis under one roof. For those in attendance, Not The Country You Know proved that loyal fan bases and authentic music can still create memorable moments without relying on mainstream trends or viral attention.
