Dom Kennedy’s Class of ‘95 Tour Hits The Bottom Lounge in Chicago

By: GroovNuke

Dom Kennedy (@groovnuke)

Leimert Park, California’s own Dom Kennedy, brought his signature West Coast style to the Bottom Lounge in Chicago on April 5th. The tour stop supported his latest album, Class of ‘95, which dropped in the fourth quarter of 2024.

Negus Fresh (@groovnuke)

But Dom didn’t roll through the city solo. Opening the night was Detroit’s own Negus Fresh, who set the tone with a smooth, laid-back set that matched the vibe of the chill Chicago crowd. 

Casey Veggies (@groovnuke)

Following him was Casey Veggies, one of the founding members of the iconic Odd Future collective that helped define the blog-era rap movement. Known for his solo work and collaborations, Veggies has long been connected with Dom, appearing on tracks like “Stop Playin” and “CDC” from the Original Dom Kennedy mixtape.

Casey turned up the energy when he brought out Sir Michael Rocks, one-half of The Cool Kids and a Chicago native, to perform their collab “Bussin’.” The crowd erupted as another hometown artist, Rockie Fresh, joined the stage, adding another layer of  love for the city’s own. 

Sir Michael Rocks (@groovnuke)

Rockie Fresh (@groovnuke)

When it was time for Dom to take the stage, he delivered a performance that was both reflective and full of energy. He ran through a catalog over a decade, mixing newer tracks with classics. Dom found early success during the blog era with The Yellow Album, which is widely considered one of the greatest mixtapes of its time. It’s a seasonal staple for when the weather breaks, it’s Yellow Album season.
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Fan favorites like “My Type of Party,” “Been Thuggin,” “Don’t Call Me” (feat. Too $hort), and “We Ball” (feat.. Kendrick Lamar) had the crowd rapping word-for-word. In a heartfelt moment, Dom paid tribute to the late Nipsey Hussle, a close friend and fellow West Coast legend, letting tracks like “Pleeze” and “Double Up” ride out as the venue lit up behind Nipsey and Dom’s memorable lines.

Dom Kennedy (@groovnuke)

Dom Kennedy has long been one of the pillars of what many would call “luxury raps”—a subgenre rooted in cool confidence, smooth delivery, and lifestyle-driven lyricism. It’s a sound that talks ownership, fashion, success, and everyday moves with a sense of effortless swagger. Through his OPM (Other People’s Money) collective, Dom continues to push that narrative, building on an already impressive legacy with each release and tour stop.

Dom Kennedy (@groovnuke)

Chicago came through for Dom and the crew. The city has a nice pocket of Dom Kennedy supporters who didn’t miss a beat, rapping bar for bar, sipping drinks, and soaking up the moment. It was a night for fans of the blog era, lovers of luxury lifestyle raps, and even those getting introduced to the wave.

​You know what kind of energy to expect at a Dom Kennedy show: chill, grown, fly. It’s the type of night where people pull up in their best fits, link with their crew, grab a few drinks, and vibe out to music that’s just as much about feeling good as it is about sounding good.