4Batz Dazzles on Thank You, Jada Tour: 5 Best Moments

Just four days into 2024, 4Batz made an appearance in Billboard’s weekly Trending Up column off the strength of the virality of “Act II: Date @ 8,” the second single of his burgeoning career. Seven months later (Aug. 1), the ascendant Dallas-bred R&B star sold out Brooklyn’s Music Hall of Williamsburg for the third stop of his debut headlining trek, the Thank You, Jada tour. And a “thank you” is certainly in order — because, as the title of his debut mixtape suggests, that no-good ex-girlfriend really did make him a star.

Before Batz took the stage, New York rapper-singer-songwriter Wolfacejoeyy warmed up a crowd with a lively set that included “Cake” — arguably his biggest hit yet — and an unreleased On the Radar freestyle that featured a sample of Tyler, the Creator and Frank Ocean‘s “She.” While the concert hall was undoubtedly packed from wall to wall, there wasn’t much age diversity in the crowd. Thursday night was strictly for Gen Z New Yorkers, and 4Batz put on a show that embodies their tastes while still borrowing from the templates of R&B heartthrobs past.

Earlier this month, with the help of Drake, “Act II: Date @ 8” became 4Batz’s first top ten hit on the Billboard Hot 100 (No. 7, chart dated March 23). Collaborations with Ye (“Act III: On God? (She Like)”) and Usher (“Act IV: Fckin U (18+)”) followed, eventually giving way to his U Made Me a St4r reaching No. 30 on the Billboard 200. Tracing the demise of his relationship with his ex-girlfriend — whom he refers to as Jada — the mixtape blends ’90s R&B hallmarks, trap production elements and Batz’s soft croons to paint a vivid picture of the high drama of Gen Z romance. With his new tour, Batz brings that story to life, using a pair of backup dancers, gritty video interludes, and immersive staging to translate the mixtape into a visual feast.

From surprise guests to new music teases and a special presentation of a diamond-encrusted bat chain, here are the five best moments from 4Batz’s Thank You, Jada tour.