April 14, 2025
Nelly, Ja Rule and Chingy light up the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa
Ottawa was lit up with pure nostalgia and nonstop energy as Nelly brought his Where the Party At Tour to town, delivering a show that fans will be talking about for years to come. With hip-hop icons Chingy and Ja Rule in tow, the night was a celebration of early-2000s bangers, fan interaction, and high-octane performance.
The Where The Party At Tour began its Canadian leg of its trek in, of all places, Halifax, Nova Scotia – and has been making its way across Canada every since. Tonight was the third date in our great nation – right here in Ottawa.
See Also: Kylie Minogue at Bell Center, Montreal
While Nelly was surely the main draw on the night, the good people of Ottawa first had two banging sets from Chingy, and the legend Ja Rule to sit through first.
Chingy
The night opened with hip-hop pioneer Chingy, who wasted no time getting the crowd hyped. With his signature St. Louis swagger, he rolled through a set packed with chart-topping hits like Right Thurr, Pullin Me Back, and One Call Away. The energy in the arena was electric, as Chingy’s charisma and smooth delivery had fans dancing and singing along right from the jump.
Ja Rule
Next up was Ja Rule, who didn’t just perform—he took over. He kicked things off with a theatrical twist, jokingly reenacting the struggle of “getting out of bed” before snapping into full performance mode. The crowd exploded as he opened with New York, turning the venue into a massive singalong.
His gritty voice and signature growl had fans screaming every word to Clap Back, and when he closed his set with Always On Time, the energy hit its peak. Ja even jumped into the crowd, vibing with fans and showing that the love between artist and audience was mutual.
Nelly
Finally, the man of the hour, Nelly, hit the stage rocking an Ottawa Senators jersey, immediately earning cheers from the local crowd. From the very first beat, it was clear Nelly came to party. He transformed the stage into a true VIP experience, literally—by inviting fans to join him on stage for the entire show. That intimate setup, paired with high-energy backup dancers, gave the concert a party-like vibe that never let up.
Nelly ran through his legendary catalog with flawless flow, performing hit after hit: Hot in Herre, Hey Porsche, and the unforgettable duet Dilemma had everyone on their feet. In a major highlight of the night, he brought out J-Kwon and Murphy Lee, giving fans a rare chance to see these hip-hop favorites perform iconic tracks live together.
As the night drew to a close, Nelly ended with an incredible performance of Just A Dream, making his way to the front of the stage to take photos, give high-fives, and show love to everyone within reach.
Read More:
>> The Damn Truth at Mtelus, Montreal
>> While She Sleeps at L’Olympia, Montreal
>> Alcest at Beanfield Theatre, Montreal
Next Stop: Montreal! – The Where the Party At Tour is showing no signs of slowing down as it heads to Montreal, Quebec next. If the Ottawa stop was any indication, fans are in for a night of throwback hits, unforgettable moments, and pure hip-hop magic.
If you’re thinking of catching the tour—trust us—you don’t want to miss this party.
Words and photography by Miko Gloriani (Welcome to the team Miko!)
