Tampa’s Yuengling Center was buzzing Wednesday night, as A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie hit the stage as part of the North American leg of his global “Better Off Alone” tour, electrifying an almost entirely Gen Z crowd. Being on the University of South Florida’s campus only heightened the energy as college students packed the arena, eager to vibe with the Bronx-born hitmaker. The excitement was palpable from the moment fans started lining up, phones in hand, ready to catch every second of the night.
The tour’s name, “Better Off Alone,” ties into his latest 2024 EP Alone, a project so significant to Boogie’s journey that he and his team even created a 64-bit video game to accompany it, available to play on his website. This added layer of fan engagement shows just how seriously Boogie takes connecting with his audience, making the experience as immersive as possible, both on and off stage.
With the show commencing around 9:30 p.m., following a warm-up from his tour DJ, Ominaya, the arena felt like it was about to burst as Boogie made his entrance. There were no official openers, but none were needed. Boogie’s fanbase—clearly as loyal as ever—was ready for the main event, as Boogie opened with the song that changed his life, “Jungle.” The superstar took the crowd by storm, weaving his signature blend of smooth R&B and street-hardened bars. The audience, mostly decked out in Y2K-inspired fits and oversized hoodies, shouted back every word as Boogie made his way through both new material and fan favorites.
Tracks like “Swervin” and “Look Back at It” were met with wild cheers, with fans using their phones like lighters, swaying to the beat. Even with the Yuengling Center’s expansive floor plan, the 28-year-old born Julius Dubose managed to make the arena feel intimate, like everyone was part of his crew. What stood out most was the synergy between Boogie and his fans, where there wasn’t a moment that the energy dipped. Every beat drop had the crowd erupting, every hook had them singing along, and when Boogie threw in tracks like “D.T.B” (Don’t Trust Bitches), the arena felt like a massive therapy session. It’s this cultural appeal that has made A Boogie a staple for a generation grappling with love, heartbreak, and the pressure of success. As the night drew to a close with “Mood Swings,” the emotional connection between him and the crowd was raw, real, and authentic, as Boogie exited the stage, his name being chanted even as the outro music played.
If last night’s show at the Yuengling Center is any indication, the ‘Better Off Alone’ tour is the culmination of almost a decade in the game for the cultural icon. Moreover, and despite the tour’s name, it doesn’t look like A Boogie is alone at all, with an entire generation right behind him, waiting for his next move.
Setlist
Jungle
Take Shots
Startender
Ransom
Timeless (with DJ SpinKing)
Me and My Guitar
Did Me Wrong
Lovin’ (PnB Rock cover)
Swervin
Just Like Me
Love Drugs and Sex
February
Still Think About You
D.T.B Interlude
Secrets
Pills & Automobiles (Chris Brown cover)
Man in the Mirror
Mood Swings
Look Back at It
Hello (Pop Smoke cover)
Drowning
Body (with Cash Cobain)
D.T.N
24 Hours
Friend Zone
Bag on Me
