Ja Rule, Ginuwine Bring Their Talents to the Back Waters Stage

Throughout the spring, we've stayed posted on Q Casino's many big announcements regarding upcoming acts set to perform on their Back Waters Stage. We've been committed to bringing you the information as soon as it's available. After months of anticipation, the Back Waters Stage was officially christened for the 2022 summer season.

Ja Rule and special guests Ginuwine and the Ying Yang Twins performed on June 10th, each one hitting a home-run in bringing the kind of energy and enthusiasm only live music can. The weather was optimal after some early morning showers, and the crowd was lively.

I had the privilege of MC-ing the show and introducing each act. It was only the second time in my life I had done something like that, and it was a tremendous experience. It was great meeting everyone I did. You all truly couldn't make a Midwest transplant feel more welcome to a brand new city!

Thanks to everyone who tuned in and/or hit me up during the live broadcast at Q Casino from 11am to 1pm on the day of the show! It was fun to "pregame," so to speak, pass out T-shirts, and even talk to the staff setting up the concourse for a fun night of music.

The only minor hiccup was Kaine of the Ying Yang Twins couldn't make the show. No less, D-Roc, the other half of the popular mid-2000s duo, took the stage and got the crowd hyped to start. The Ying Yang Twins are responsible for "Whistle While You Twurk," "The Whisper Song," and "Say I Yi Yi," which saw a resurgence thanks to a viral TikTok trend in 2021.

Personally, my favorite performance of the evening was from Ginuwine. Of course I'm biased, being a fan of his body of work, but it was hard to deny how perfect he was performing. He sounds almost the same as he does in the studio; equipped with buttery vocals, two talented backup singers, and a DJ on point like a cactus with his drops and intros.

When he played "Pony," there wasn't a soul in that crowd who wasn't jumping. It was made all the better when Ginuwine started tossing roses to the ladies in the crowd.

Take a listen to my interview with Ginuwine.

Then of course, there's Ja Rule, the headliner, who took the stage around 9:30pm. By then, nightfall was upon us. Thick blue smoke engulfed the stage. The lighting effects only enhanced the experience. Ja Rule punctuated his set with a brief plea to end gun violence and remember the victims, in lieu of the devastating school shooting in Uvalde, TX.

Even without the assistance of Ashanti, he still crushed songs like "Always on Time" and "Mesmerize."

There might not have been a better way to kick off a loaded summer of talented performers from all genres, who will take the Back Waters Stage from now until the end of August. For information on upcoming shows, including Sam Hunt, Seether, and more, stay posted on Back Waters Stage's website and Q Casino's Facebook page!

Q Casino is an entertainment and gaming complex located in Dubuque, Iowa. The casino is owned by the City of Dubuque, and operated by the non-profit Dubuque Racing Association, its license holder.