Essence Music Festival | Friday Night Concert

My time in the Nawlins was too short...and who told me to go to Bourbon on the 4th of July? A.Hot.Mess...I guess I'm too "yankee" for that experience and for some reason, I'd rather be that! :) 

Anyway, instead of doing the stereotypical fireworks on the 4th we snagged tickets to the Essence Music Festival thanks to my friend Emile. With a line-up that we've already seen this summer: J. Holiday, Rihanna, Chris Brown and Kanye we still decided it'd be better than standing outside in the muggy Nawlins weather so we went!

(Photo: J. backstage at Essence)

Missing J. Holiday on purpose, we walked in when Rihanna was on stage, which was perfect timing because we kinda' missed her set when she came to the DMV earlier this summer. She pretty much did a shorter version of her set. Still, what was up with the wack background dancers?

(Photo: Rih Rih in a cute dress that she wore throughout her performance. With little energy, Rih Rih didn't wow anybody)

People really didn't get on their feet until her boyfriend Chris Brown hit the stage. Every teenage girl was screaming through most of his performance and although it was a family show, pelvic thrusts to songs like "Take You Down" made me wanna cover the 10 year old girl's eyes who was sitting in front of me. Her mama ain't mind tho. Besides dancing too long and wearing these gawd awful electric blue pants, Chris was much better than his (hush hush) girlfriend who lacked a lot of energy during her performance. 

Was I the only one pumped with Bow Wow came out to perform "Shorty Like Mine"? 

(Photo: Bow Wow back stage at Essence)

I knew Kanye would ignite the stage but I wondered if he'd be able to pull it off without his elaborate set. I luvvv Kanye because (of course) he didn't disappoint. With the same energy as he had in Virginia, different lighting techniques and more of his hit singles, Kanye had me on my feet. Of course he had to perform his remix to "A Milli" and big upped Lil Wayne, which sent the Super Dome into a frenzy. I swear, Lil Wayne is like the mayor of the NO.

The concert didn't end until 1 AM. They should have started the concert earlier...even the biggest fan was getting a little sleepy in that cold Super Dome. Although I haven't been to an Essence Music Festival since Susan Taylor's tenure (I think Luther Vandross was headlining so it was a minute ago), this concert didn't disappoint...I kinda' miss Susan tho. 

Okay y'all...I'm back on vacation! :) 

p.s. Has anyone seen that new Jazmine Sullivan video? Hotness.

WPGC Birthday Bash at the 9:30 Club

Our other favorite radio station, WPGC is having their 20th Birthday Bash this evening at the 9:30 Club! Haven't gotten tickets yet? Well...too bad for ya' because you can't buy them.

Set to perform are J. Holiday, Trey Songz, Soulja Boy (yaaaaaaaaaah!), Lloyd, Wale, Rocko, Webbie and some other C list acts.

The show starts at 6:30 PM, maybe if you get down there early you can sneak or beg your way in! :)

Swanky!

Let's take a poll...how many people were unimpressed by the after-events sponsored by the CBC? You; you; and you too? Yea...the swanky-swanks otherwise known as "The Talented Tenth" otherwise known as bougie black people just don't know how to throw a good party. And honestly, did we expect them to?

Still, here's Mya at Love on Thursday, singing falsetto of course.

Shout out to Rep.Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick (she's in teal), chairwoman of the CBC. I met her at a reception sponsored by Ford Motor Co. and the Smithsonian. What an amazing speaker!

Other shout outs:

> Floyd! Congrats to a bangin' party at Xanadu on Friday! I can't believe you got hood negroes in button downs but that's wassup. Everyone needs to be upgraded.

> sexy Marc Barnes! I saw him at Republic Gardens yesterday lookin' fabulous. I actually had a good time at RG. It reminded me of a grown-up Hammerjax. From lawyers to hood dudes, they attract a very diverse crowd AND THEY HAVE AC!!!!!!

Random Rant: (Why did this guy [after I told him I don't give out my number] tell me that he has a Bentley outside and that I'd be missing out. NEGRO please...and even if you did, if you net girls off of a vehicle that is diminishing in value everyday then you def don't want me. Upgrade yourself, you loser!)

On to better things:

J. Holiday is coming in town on Tues. October 2 for his album release party at Lotus (1420 K St. NW). His album is called 'Back of the Lac' and comes out on Tuesday. [He's pictured here w/ John Legend's ex-model chick, Jessica White. She looks fab.]

Here's what J said about the concept of his album's namesake, "I wrote this song myself so it was personal to me. When I’m in a state of getting frustrated or mad, it’s just something that I like to do; take a ride in my ‘lac. Everybody has there own little thing."

When asked what kind of Cadillac he drives, he answered, "[A] 1990 El Dorado Coupe, white on white." Must be nice.

Thanks Kim!

Okay honey...more to come later.