Concert review | Seesaw show for Lil Wayne and T-Pain

Concert Review |

Lil Wayne is consistent in his inconsistency. This is not a backhanded compliment but rather the key to understanding the 26-year-old rapper's allure. Last year's multiplatinum "Tha Carter III" was alternately brilliant and forgettable; similarly, Sunday night's KeyArena performance exploded with energy and charisma but at times dragged from overindulgence. From inconsistency Wayne wrought humanity, unabashed and drenched in sweat. In the (very entertaining) process of making a fault an asset he connected deeply with the adoring audience.

The 80-minute show spanned some 20 tracks from Wayne's career, but very few were played in their entirety. "Mister Carter," the opening song, was one, though Wayne's lyrics were overshadowed — literally — by the too-loud four-piece rock band suspended on four separate platforms 30 feet above the stage. Wayne went toe-to-toe with T-Pain — the cartoonish opening act, sort of the San Diego Chicken of rap, and a super star in his own right — for a "feature-off," wherein the pair one-upped each other with verses from their various musical cameos, including "Fireman," "La La," and a song title that can't be listed here. Playful, braggadocious, and really weird looking, they're one of hip-hop's most unlikely, likable pairs. (And they seemingly confirmed an upcoming "T-Wayne" collaboration.)

When audible above the din of his backing band, Wayne's delivery was confident, his lyrics peppered with puns and clever allusions. (A line from hit single "Lollipop": "He so sweet make you wanna lick the rapper.") Athletic and lucid, he offered no sign of the cough-syrup-addled lush he's rumored to be. Though his artistic choices didn't always make sense: At one point Wayne sat down to sing "Mrs. Officer" with a guitar strapped around his neck that he didn't play.

Twice Wayne stepped offstage and twice the energy lulled. The first time was for an obligatory showcase of MCs from Wayne's Young Money label, and later for a by-the-numbers turntable solo by DJ Four Five. Each time he reappeared in a different outfit, changing from black jeans and leather jacket to pink jeans (!) and white T to a black suit in which the dreadlocked Wayne resembled Whoopi Goldberg.

The finale consisted of Wayne's mantra-like prayer to God — "Thank you for everyone in this building" — illuminated by white light at the top of a massive stage riser as the DJ played "My Life," Wayne's duet with The Game. It was a baroque, quasi-religious moment that segued directly into "A Milli," Wayne at his most pop-centric and materialistic. Neither track was finished.

The night's final song: Whitney Houston, "I Will Always Love You" booming from the sound system. "I am the bodyguard!" Wayne yelped, "and I will always love you! And you! And you!" Then he disappeared through a trap door center stage right before the lights went up.

Jonathan Zwickel writes about nightlife for The Times: zwickelicious@gmail.com