Photos by Andy Argyrakis

Millions of eyes may have turned towards Logic for the first time when he dropped the suicide prevention anthem “1-800-273-8255” and the accompanying video with an anti-bullying emphasis tipped towards the LGBT community. But to those who camped out in front of the general admission railing of Huntington Bank Pavilion At Northerly Island for hours to wave their official banners, homemade signs, pictures, balloons and the stray crutch or two already knew that the straight, bi-racial rapper from a broken (and broke) home with crack cocaine regularly brewing in the kitchen was already well on his way to superstar status.

In between those ponderings, Logic also made sure to bring just as much of a substance-filled party, capping the landmark night with “Confess” and “Gang Related,” oozing so much charisma that he could easily take the baton from even local hero Chance The Rapper and quite realistically redirect the entire course of hip-hop in the process.

But rather than falling victim to his environment, Maryland’s Logic used his last three albums and half-dozen mixtapes to dig himself out of depression, anxiety and general destructiveness, amassing a legion of followers of varying ages, races, creeds and orientations who cling to his honesty and authenticity. And for a little more than 90 minutes on the lakefront, the Lollapalooza alum presented “peace, love and positivity” to those who hung on each word, such as the spiritually-charged warm-up “Hallelujah” and his rallying cry for unity “Everybody” (which shares the title of the current project and tour).

No sooner than the conclusion of that second song, Logic noticed a ten-year-old girl on her dad’s shoulders, summoned for her to come on stage and then invited the entire family to watch at his side. That type of interplay continued in between nearly every track when the headliner asked people’s ages and names, while occasionally pleading with them to put down their cell phones and simply savor the moment.

Those one-time deals included a set with opener and longtime pal Big Lenbo (most memorably, “Young Jesus”), plus a Mario Kart competition with a few fans backed by the musical proclamation “I Am The Greatest” after Logic’s victory. However, it was “Black SpiderMan” that had the audience amped to the max, taking a thought-provoking twist on racial identity and diving well beyond his genre’s sometimes stereotypical pursuits of bling, booze and women.

In fact, the 27-year-old made sure to give a shout-out to his wife and also acknowledged those elevated lyrics during “1-800” when he thanked everyone for the platform to address so many social stigmas, which if his social networks are any indication, have literally saved more lives than could ever be mentioned. In between those ponderings, Logic also made sure to bring just as much of a substance-filled party, capping the landmark night with “Confess” and “Gang Related,” oozing so much charisma that he could easily take the baton from even local hero Chance The Rapper and quite realistically redirect the entire course of hip-hop in the process.

For additional information on Logic, visit Facebook.com/MindOfLogic.

Upcoming concert highlights at Huntington Bank Pavilion At Northerly Island Ms. Lauryn Hill & Nas (Sept. 7); Sublime With Rome & The Offspring (Sept. 8); Young The Giant (Sept. 9); Sturgill Simpson (Sept. 22) and Umphrey’s McGee (Sept. 23). For additional details, visit LiveNation.com.

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