Mr. Worldwide, meet Mr. Hyde Park: Pitbull delivers the party of the summer
- 5 days ago
- 5 min read
Review by LiveWithLP | Photos by Ray Hill
It quickly became one of the most talked-about BST Hyde Park shows of the summer when Pitbull not only announced he would be taking over the iconic Great Oak Stage, but also attempting a Guinness World Record. Not only did he smash it, but he walked away with 1 Guinness World Record and a brand-new BST Hyde Park attendance record during his sold-out Friday night show.
It wasn't just Mr. Worldwide taking to the stage either. In true BST Hyde Park fashion, the day was packed with an incredible lineup including Mae Hill, Tia Kofi, Tinie Tempah, Lil Jon, Kesha and a host of DJs keeping the party going from the moment the gates opened.
For me, this lineup ticked every single box - nostalgia in the sunshine, surrounded by thousands of people wearing bald caps and suits. Honestly, if someone had no idea who was playing that day, they'd have been very confused walking into Hyde Park.
The Guinness World Record was officially broken with over 22,000 "Baldies", as Pitbull calls his fans, gathering to be counted. My only bugbear? This was officially the highest-attended BST Hyde Park show ever, even surpassing Garth Brooks, so I wish the count had happened a little later once everyone had made it into the arena. Still, a record is a record, and congratulations to Pitbull and every single fan who turned up looking like Mr. Worldwide.
One artist who seriously deserves a mention is Mae Hill. I first came across Mae through TikTok when Bad Habits dropped and I've been hooked ever since. There are some artists whose live vocals never quite match the recordings, but Mae is the complete opposite. The way she holds a note is nothing short of incredible, and even embracing the theme by pulling on a bald cap during her set only made the crowd love her even more. I have absolutely no doubt we'll be seeing her back on a UK headline tour very soon.
Lil Jon and Tinie Tempah delivered two of the biggest throwback sets of the day. Let's not forget the crowd were dressed head-to-toe in suits and bald caps in 30-degree heat, but that didn't stop anyone dancing. Tinie announced he'll be back on tour later this year, and after the reception Lil Jon received, here's hoping he'll be making a return too.
The most anticipated support act had to be Kesha. Watching an artist who is finally free, independent and creating music entirely on her own terms command one of London's biggest stages felt incredibly special. She perfectly balanced the carefree party anthems from the Animal era with the emotional powerhouse tracks from later in her career, reminding everyone exactly why she's remained such a pop icon.
It wasn't long before Pitbull took to the stage and, in true Mr. Worldwide fashion, arrived with dancers, flames, lasers, giant visuals and enough pyro to keep Hyde Park warm well into the evening. From the second that man walked on stage, we all knew one thing - this was about to be one huge party.
Opening with Don't Stop The Party was the only acceptable choice, immediately followed by Hey Baby (Drop It To The Floor) and Hotel Room Service. Within minutes Hyde Park had transformed into the world's biggest club night, with thousands of bald caps bouncing around in every direction. If there was anyone standing still, I genuinely didn't see them.
One thing Pitbull absolutely nails is a setlist. Just when you think he's ticked off all the hits, another one appears. International Love, Rain Over Me - complete with a surprise Sweet Child O' Mine intro - I Feel Good, Suave and The Anthem. It was hit after hit after hit. Honestly, I'd forgotten just how many songs this man has had a hand in over the years.
Whether you'd been a fan since day one or simply grew up with these songs blasting out at school discos, family holidays or nights out, every track unlocked another memory.
The middle of the set somehow kept raising the bar. Move Shake Drop, Culo and I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho) had Hyde Park absolutely bouncing before We Are One (Ole Ola) and On The Floor turned the Great Oak Stage into what genuinely felt like the world's biggest FIFA afterparty.
Then came one of my favourite runs of the night. I Like It, DJ Got Us Fallin' In Love and Feel This Moment back-to-back? Whoever put that section of the setlist together deserves a pay rise (my apple watch said I'd had the best dance workout of the year, I see why)
Just when you thought we'd reached peak nostalgia, Pitbull dropped Gasolina before welcoming Lil Jon back to the stage for Damn I Love Miami. Seeing those two together again was one of those moments where you couldn't help but grin. It didn't feel like a concert anymore; it felt like one massive celebration.
And then came arguably the biggest singalong of the night.
Timber.
The second those opening notes started, Hyde Park absolutely erupted. Out comes Kesha, performing this track with Pitbull for the first time in 15 years. Every single person knew every word and every dance move. It was one of those moments where you almost stop singing just to take in the sight of tens of thousands of people all doing exactly the same thing. It's a core memory for sure.
As if things couldn't get any more random in the best possible way, Pitbull even threw in a cover of Wonderwall. Did I expect to hear Oasis at a Pitbull show? Absolutely not. Did tens of thousands of people sing every word back? Without question.
Closing with Give Me Everything was the only way this show could end. Confetti filled the London sky, flames erupted one final time and every ounce of energy left in Hyde Park was poured into those final few minutes.
I've always said Pitbull concerts aren't really concerts - they're parties. They're two hours of nostalgia, dancing like nobody's watching and remembering just how many hits Mr. Worldwide has given us over the last two decades.
Whether you came for the Guinness World Record attempt, Kesha, Lil Jon, the nostalgia, or simply to spend a day dressed as Pitbull, nobody left Hyde Park disappointed.
BST Hyde Park has hosted some legendary artists over the years, but this show felt completely unique. It was ridiculous, chaotic, brilliantly nostalgic and one of the most joy-filled crowds I've ever been part of.
And honestly..
Isn't that exactly what a Pitbull show is supposed to be?
Professional and as a fan - this was the greatest night of my entire life, DALE.