Las Vegas Weekly

February 21, 2012 · 2:01 PM

Photos: Trey Songz, in a tux, and Big Sean at the Pearl in the Palms

By Don Chareunsy

Trey Songz and opening act Big Sean at the Pearl in the Palms on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012.

Photo: Bryan Steffy/Wire Image

By Brjden Crewe

The ladies love Trey Songz. There’s no questioning the appeal that the emerging R&B prince has with the opposite sex, and it’s been a long, competitive journey for the 27-year-old star. Since his debut album, 2005’s “I Gotta Make It,” the star has experienced upgraded comments from female fans, starting with “Awww, he’s cute” to the current “damn, he’s sexy!” And he’s not only elevated the sexual content in his music, Songz also has raised his abilities as a performer. On Saturday night, Songz came to the Pearl in the Palms to show the ladies just how much he’s grown up.

“It” rapper Big Sean and his spin master, DJ Mo Beatz, opened the show. Sean set the stage ablaze with his Michael Jackson-esque crotch grabbing while rapping to songs such as “I Do It” as young fans screamed out every lyric to the tracks. Other hits like “I Get Money” and “The World Is Mine” tested out the durability of the sound system inside the Pearl, but it wasn’t until Big Sean went into his biggest hit to date that the crowd frenzied.

As soon as “Dance, dance, dance, dance …” blasted over the loud speakers, the crowd went crazy. “Dance (A$$)” is currently (and steadily) residing on Billboard’s Hot 100 and has no plans of leaving anytime soon. When Big Sean recited the lyrics, the crowd’s backup vocals to each word were even louder. “Hammertime” lived on through the hit, but it was time for Songz to hit the stage and please his fan base.

Draped in a tuxedo with bowtie and sunglasses, Songz took the stage and went right to work. The high-tech backdrop beamed videos and bright lasers throughout the night as Songz serenaded the crowd with favorites, including the sexually provocative “Scratchin’ Me Up” and “Neighbors Know My Name,” which solicited deafening yells. After belting out “Be Where You Are,” Songz took on “Don’t Judge” (from his “Anticipation 2” mix tape) where he came up huge vocally, stretching his voice through pitches and displaying growth as a singer to rival some of the R&B elite today.

With his latest single, “Sex Ain’t Better Than Love,” Songz moved across the stage similar to one of his idols, Usher, but with a slower-paced confidence that teased the crowd while allowing them to take in his presence and capture pictures on cell phones. Singing “Jupiter,” Songz dared female fans to imagine a sexual encounter with him, while the call-and-response “Bomb” charged up the crowd as Songz began disrobing until only the shrieks of the crowd were heard.

Backed by talented vocalists, guitarists, a DJ and a drummer, Songz took a wardrobe break and then launched into an inspired version of “Invented Sex.” Big Sean reappeared onstage as they launched into DJ Drama’s “Oh My,” which was met with approval. But once Songz launched into his biggest hit to date, “Bottoms Up,” everyone had reason to party. Holding the microphone to the crowd to sing, Songz had a vocal intermission as the band’s instruments made the song come alive uniquely and sonically.

“Say Aah” gave the crowd more reason to party, and as Songz walked back and forth onstage pointing out women in the crowd and how sexy they looked, the new prince made his presence and charm with the ladies seem effortless. The crown isn’t that heavy just yet, but Songz is clearly preparing to be king.

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