A Nostalgic Hip-Hop Party at the Pacific Amphitheatre ft Nelly and Too $hort

Nelly on stage at the Pacific Ampitheare. Photo Credit: acerophotos / Anthony Acero

Nelly and Too $hort delivered an absolute masterclass in throwback hip-hop on Sunday, August 2, 2026, transforming Costa Mesa’s Pacific Amphitheatre into the ultimate summer party. Teaming up as part of the OC Fair Summer Concert Series, the duo brought unparalleled energy to a packed house, reminding everyone why their music defines an entire era of feel-good music.

Too $hort Kicks Off the Night

Too $hort on stage at the Pacific Ampitheatre. Photo Credit: acerophotos / Anthony Acero

West Coast pioneer Too $hort took the stage first, immediately locking in the crowd with his signature explicit storytelling and bass-heavy Oakland rhythm. His rapping was as sharp and effortless as it was decades ago. He breezed through classic hip-hop anthems, but nothing compared to the absolute eruption from the crowd when the beat of "Blow the Whistle" dropped. It was an incredibly fun, raw set that set the baseline energy at an all-time high.

Nelly Brings the Main Event Fire

Nelly. Photo Credit: acerophotos / Anthony Acero

When St. Louis superstar Nelly hit the stage, the energy reached a fever pitch. Backed by high-octane production and a live DJ, Nelly effortlessly rolled through a flawless list of favorite hits. The amphitheater essentially became one giant karaoke bar as the entire crowd scream-sang every single lyric. Key performance highlights included: "Ride Wit Me": Prompted a massive, stadium-wide singalong. "Country Grammar": The track that started it all, delivering heavy nostalgia. "Dilemma": Handled flawlessly by Nelly even without Kelly Rowland present, serving as a melodic high point of the night. "Hot in Herre": The ultimate finale that had every single row dancing under the summer sky.

Too $hort. Photo Credit: acerophotos / Anthony Acero