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.

Pic Recap: Glow in the Dark Tour Backstage

(Photo: Pharell of N.E.R.D with the man of the hour Kanyezee!)

(Photo: Chris Brown came to be with his girl...he calls it 'celebrating his birthday'. Okay.)

(Photo: DC's own Wale snags a picture of Pharell...he don't look too happy.)

:)

Recap: Glow in the Dark Tour | Kanye | Rihanna | NERD | Lupe

Like most people who attended the Glow in the Dark Tour at Nissan Pavilion (yes, VA finally gets luv from DC Fab! and mad props; this was the biggest audience he's performed for since the tour started at 21,000 fans) unless you left at 3:30 PM you probably missed most of the concert..I def didn't get there until I heard Rihanna covering a Lauryn Hill song...by the way Rihanna is simply gorgeous.  

However, I did hear that Chris Brown, Rihanna's boo popped out on stage during N.E.R.D.'s set but failed to make an appearance to do the remix of "Umbrella" (although I'm glad he didn't...sorry Chris...I don't like the remix...Cinderella is for kids)

Anyway, after walking up 1000 stairs only to have to walk back down them and across muddy grass and through people screaming and trying to sing along to Rihanna's "Unfaithful" we finally found our seats to enjoy my Rih-Rih favs like "Please Don't Stop the Music" and "Umbrella".

(Photo: Rih-Rih on stage...)

And after a 20 minute intermission, which was spent catching up with other people that I knew attended the concert (Shout out to 50!!!) and spotting BET's Stephen Hill, Raheem DeVaughn and Kevin Liles, Kanye's set started with "Good Morning", a song off of his latest album Graduation.

(Photo: Kanye...not a good pic. Sorry y'all)

Kanye's set was "creative and imaginative" (Thanks Shamera for helping me gather my thoughts...). His concert was outer-space themed complete with a spaceship named Jane. 

Dressed like Korben Dallas from The Fifth Element (with tennis shoes to match), Kanye incorporated each song into what seemed like more of a theatrical production rather than a music concert. He never stepped off stage to take a breather...once he started his set he never stepped a foot off (AMAZING!!!)...with his background dancers and singers performing in the wings (although I did wish they coulda' got a little bit more shine).

(Photo: Fans reppin' the Dynasty)

I was in constant awe of the set (mad props to the lighting director) and Kanye's energy kept me engaged although the temperature in VA was making it hard to enjoy the show (yes, I stay wearing open toe shoes...so cold!). Kanye showed off his producing skills, remixing and refining every song for the concert...brilliant.

His last song, "Touch the Sky" ended with a banger; Lupe came out and joined him, ending the show on a high note...although most smart people were already in the car trying to get out of the parking lot (I know I was...). RIDICULOUS!

Stay fab y'all :) 

Love's Lineup: Fat Joe on Friday | Kanye on Saturday

Love (1350 Okie Street) has a great lineup this weekend. And if you were trippin' and didn't get your ticket to the Kanye West concert, don't worry Marc Barnes and 'nem are giving you another opportunity to party with the King of the Chi! 

(Photo credit: Dave Hogan/Getty Images for MTV)

Fat Joe performs Friday night and Kanye hits the stage on Saturday night (after his concert in VA of course).

RSVP here to get in free before 11. 

Kanye West to Open Another Good Water Store and Cafe with Pops

So, the streets are buzzing about this. Apparently, Kanye and his father Ray (who lives in the DMV area; Lexington Park in MD to be exact) are opening up another Good Water Store and Cafe inside the District.

(Photo Credit: Mark Gail, The Washington Post)

Kanye funds the project and pops runs the show. The Good Water Store and Cafe claims to have the cleanest and purest water ever. It's 99.9% pure. The cafe is more like a modern day coffee house much like Starbucks but includes a stage used for performances and poetry sets etc.

ConcertFab: Kanye West's Glow in the Dark Tour

Presale tickets have already been on sale for a week now for the much anticipated Glow in the Dark Tour featuring Kanye West, Rihanna, N.E.R.D. and Lupe Fiasco (in select cities).

Still, get your tickets here. They range from around $22.50-100. But for real, Kanye is worth it...and I know everybody is on the Heart of the City Tour with Jay-Z and Mary but it's already sold out. So if you missed out, hit up his 'little brother', Kanyezee at Nissan Pavilion (7800 Cellar Door Drive Bristow, VA) on May 10.

I got my tickets already! Woo woo!

p.s. "I'll be your Alexis if you could be my Kanye" :)

My Weekend In Chi City!!! | Dwayne Wade | Kanye West | Trina

I traveled to Chicago, IL to celebrate my older sister's 25th Birthday. My present? (Well I am a sweet little sister) a VIP party in Lynwood, IL, hosted by none other than Dwayne Wade (D Wade's Young, Fly and Flashy Skate Party).

I got us a table in the celebrity section. Sitting next to Trina and Quentin Richardson, we sipped on our complimentary Moet. I let my sister have the Rose. With DJ Clue on the 1's and 2's, we sipped, danced and took LOADS of pictures.

I must say...I could get used to this.

My sister and I with the 'King for the Midwest' himself...Kanye

Me with Quentin Richardson. I told him to look cute and this is what he gave me...uhh...

My sister with a very intoxicated looking D-Wade

Me and Will from Making the Band 4. He was just trying to be seen. (That's right boo, strech that 5 minutes of fame!)

My sister and I with Ms. Trina

Sittin' on the couches...

Oh yea, Trina performed. I was definitely trying to be her background dancer LOL.



Me at Zentras Nightclub on Saturday night. This spot reminded me of Adams Morgan, with less black people and a DJ who spun old hits. I didn't hear J. Holiday, the new Kanye, not even a Beyonce song...boo.

After spending too much downtown and eating at Sushi Samba (definitely check this place out if you want to try new things...it combines Asia and Brazil tastes!), I 'd give this visit to Chi-town an A-!