Featuring 2 Live Crew, Montell Jordan, Tone Loc, and Vanilla Ice
By photojournalist Justin Abramo

Walking into Ferg’s Sports Bar & Grill on September 11th felt less like arriving for a typical Rays game day and more like stepping straight into Daytona Beach Spring Break circa the early ’90s. A large stage had appeared overnight alongside the venue’s main stage, expanding the space for a sold-out crowd ready to relive a louder, wilder era.

St. Pete’s Edge District filled quickly with a mix of baseball jerseys, bright tracksuits, and worn-out MTV shirts. It felt like a cross-section of fans had gathered for the same reason: to step out of the present for a night and return to the music, fashion, and attitude of their early twenties. There’s no pretending otherwise: the early ’90s Spring Break party scene had its own unmistakable energy. It was loud, carefree, and built around the simple idea of letting go.
That same spirit was alive at Ferg’s hours before the first microphone even came on. The staff also rose to the occasion. I arrived around 4:15 expecting a decent crowd, but the turnout was already far bigger than I had anticipated. Even so, service moved with surprising speed. I ordered food and a beer and received both so quickly that I had to ask whether the waitress had brought someone else’s order.

Once the gates opened, the courtyard and VIP areas quickly filled with fans eager to escape the weight of a solemn day and share in one of the country’s defining traits: resilience. Tampa-based DJ Ari Gorfain, local rapper FayceTuGator, and one of Ferg’s own staff members (rapper name unknown) kept the momentum building before the main acts began.

Although the evening was billed as a celebration of the ’90s, the organizers handled the 25th anniversary of September 11th with class. The music paused, and the crowd was asked to observe a moment of silence for the lives lost on that tragic day in American history. It was a moving reminder to “never forget,” even as the night carried forward with the defiant spirit that has long been part of this country’s fabric

2 Live Crew opened the night with their signature Miami bass sound, pushing the crowd into high gear with hits including “Pop That Coochie,” “Me So Horny,” and “We Want Some Pussy”. Founding member DJ Mr. Mixx and his hype man worked the audience from the start, while stage dancers added the kind of over-the-top visuals that helped make the group infamous in the early ’90s rap scene. Their set became the spark for the rest of the evening: a night of dancing, nostalgia, and partying like tomorrow was optional.

Montell Jordan followed with what may have been the evening’s most polished and family-friendly set. Now a born-again Christian and pastor, Jordan acknowledged the humor of following 2 Live Crew, but he still delivered clean versions of his biggest hits, including “This Is How We Do It,” “Let’s Ride,” and “Get It On Tonite”.

Midway through his performance, he spoke briefly about his faith and his belief that everyone is redeemable and loved under the eye of Christ. It was a bold and sincere moment, especially in today’s religious and political climate, and it showed his commitment to staying true to himself. Judging by the response from the crowd, he remains an exceptionally gifted crooner with plenty of charm to still drop the panties.

Tone Loc came on next, and by then the crowd was ready to let loose. The humidity, drinks, and nostalgia had all done their part, and Tone Loc knew exactly how to use the moment. Halfway through his set, he invited multiple women from the crowd onto the stage, turning the performance into a full-blown party.
At 60, he still commands attention with that unmistakable raspy voice, tearing through “Wild Thing,” “Funky Cold Medina,” and “Ace Is in the House.” His set brought back the feel of late-’80s and ’90s house parties, where those songs could pull almost anyone onto the dance floor.

Finally, headliner Vanilla Ice took the stage with multiple hype men, DJs, and Ninja Turtles. Yes…Ninja Turtles! What can be more ‘90s than that? His album To the Extreme became one of the era’s defining pop-rap moments, and at his peak he seemed to be everywhere: radio, movies, commercials, and beyond.
Performing “Ice Ice Baby,” “Ninja Rap,” and a mix of his own tracks alongside other ’90s rap anthems, he pushed the party into overdrive. His crew sprayed water over the crowd, turning the courtyard into a sweaty, chaotic dance floor that echoed the Spring Break atmosphere that revelers came to experience, once again.

Within a couple of songs, the stage was filling with women eager to dance and get their freak on, with Vanilla Ice transitioning to the DJ booth to spin hits from the era. It was excessive, nostalgic, and exactly what the night called for.
The I Love the ’90s Tour lived up to the hype. The concert was sold out at 3,000 tickets, but by the end of the night, even more people seemed to be spilling onto Central Avenue, First Avenue, and every available space in between. It was one unforgettable party.