J.I.D performs at the Fox Theater in Oakland on Jan. 29, 2023. Gavin Legaspi/STAFF.

OAKLAND — It was nothing but “luv” for the Bay from Atlanta rapper J.I.D and St. Louis’ Smino at their co-headlining Luv Is 4Ever North American Tour stop at the Fox Theater on Sunday. The Zoink Gang hip-hop crew (another member is Guapdad 4000) represented with an energetic show that kept the crowd swag-surfing at the second of two sold-out shows.

Both rappers used the opportunity to showcase their fantastic recent albums; Smino’s Luv 4 Rent and J.I.D’s The Forever Story. The Atlantean went first on this night, taking the stage in front of two heart-shaped video screens flashing images of him through the years. Spitting lyrics in rapid-fire succession, he launched into “NEVER” from 2017’s The Never Story.

J.I.D masterfully worked the stage, connecting with the crowd, which would shout back his lyrics to him on command. With members of his crew swarming just off the sides of the stage, he continued with cuts from his past three LPs and two EPs, including hits like “Off da Zoinkys,” “Crack Sandwich” and “Bruddanem.”

He then turned to some downtempo tracks, starting with “Sistanem,” during which he paced the stage somberly.

J.I.D performs at the Fox Theater in Oakland on Jan. 29, 2023.

“Make some noise one time. We just gotta get through this rollercoaster ride real quick, and I feel we’ll be straight,” J.I.D said after appearing to be in a trance.

He continued on with “Kody Blu 31,” rowdy fans singing along to the “Swing on, swing on” chorus with much gusto. The rapper’s voice sounded great, clear and melodic.

After the melancholic side trip, J.I.D hyped the crowd back up, stripping off his shirt and just his shiny medallion chain around his neck. He picked the pace up with his Lil Wayne collab, “Just In Time,” rapping the lyrics while tapping his watch. Attendees knew this one well. A pair of J Cole Dreamville collaborations followed, launched off by “Off Deez” and “Down Bad,” where the rapid-fire delivery kept pace with the show’s growing momentum.

Popular 21 Savage collaboration “Surround Sound” followed. The powerful set ended on a high note with J.I.D’s energetic collab with J Cole, Kenny Mason and Sheck Wes, “Stick.” He brought out a hype man toward the end of the song, though he clearly didn’t need one. He was on stage for a solid 60 minutes, though some remarked they wanted more.

J.I.D performs at the Fox Theater in Oakland on Jan. 29, 2023.

The acoustics and audio at the Fox impressively handled the bass-heavy music for both headliners.

Smino, whose name is Christopher Smith Jr., followed with an equally compelling hour-long set. After a short introduction by a backup singer, he bounced onto the stage in a white basketball jersey and green pants, his hair divided in two Pippi-Longstocking-like plaits.

Smino quickly launched into “Klink.” He then started dancing as the beat of “Rice & Gravy” kicked in. His rap-singing was engaging, his voice warm and clear, and he relentlessly went on track by track.

Smino was backed by a band that included a keyboardist, drummer and guitarist. He continued in his dancing groove with “Summer Salt,” with the backup vocalist providing a feminine feel to the song. The crowd shouted its approval as the beat from “Ole Ass Kendrick” kicked in.

Fans waived their hands and sang along to “90 Proof.”

“Remember, if don’t nobody else love you, Smino loves ya,” he said afterward. Other notable performances from the set included “Blu Billy,” “Louphoria,” “Pro Freak” and the popular “No L’s.”

Atlanta rapper SwaVay opened the show with immense energy, even though, as he explained, his crew’s bus got broken into the day before and all their clothes and personal stuff stolen. He went on to perform with a member of his crew.

Follow Mel Bowman at Twitter.com/melmichel and Instagram.com/coco_michel_coco. Follow photographer Gavin Legaspi at Instagram.com/batang.gabino.