Category: Hip-Hop
-
Concert Review: Big Sean hits Orlando for tour in support of ‘Dark Sky Paradise’
Big Sean released his third studio album Dark Sky Paradise in late February, and now he has embarked on a spring tour to support the LP.
The Detroit rapper made his way to Orlando Sunday night, for a show at Venue 578 (formerly Firestone Live). Making a grand entrance, Big Sean started the night off with a performance of “Paradise,” standing atop of his rectangular LED screen which housed his DJ, DJ Mo Beatz, and two-piece band, in the back, and played visual on throughout the show in the front.
Big Sean, who will be hitting amphitheaters this summer with J. Cole, treated the small downtown venue as if he was performing in a stadium arena. The “Blessings” rapper was full of charisma and had a stage presence that could not go unnoticed. While his array of lights, fog machines and special effects helped illuminate the stage, at times it could be hard to see the rapper. During Big Sean’s first three songs it was difficult to see the artist, as the overuse of the fog machine blurred visibility.
Big Sean performed cuts from his latest album, including “All Your Fault,” “IDFWU,” and “Win Some, Lose Some.” The show also helped highlight how many big name records Sean has been featured on, performing his verses from “Mercy,” “Clique,” “I Don’t Like” and Wiz Khalifa’s “Gang Bang.” After the whole venue started chanting encore, Big Sean came back out to perform “Too Fake” for the real OG fans.
-
Concert review: Usher at Amway Center
Usher performing at “URX Tour,” in Orlando, Florida on Friday, Dec. 12. (OBK STAFF)
By OBK STAFF
Usher Raymond in concert may be the closest thing my generation and younger gets to seeing an all around performance similar to that of the late great Michael Jackson, and on Friday night the R&B star brought his “UR Experience Tour” to Amway Center in Orlando, Florida.
No, the “UR Experience Tour” is hardly any rendition of what the seasoned artist will display on his eighth studio album “UR,” which has been delayed and still has no release date. Instead the show was to display how the 36-year-old singer has contributed greatness to multiple genres throughout his 20-plus years in the music industry.
After a blend of “My Way” over Drake’s “0 to 100” — which gave his younger fans a chance to still vibe whether or not they knew the lyrics because they were familiar to the beat — Usher broke out into his first “freestyle” dance session of the show. He would eventually be joined by eight dancers, who he did not mind sharing the spotlight with.
It’s has become extremely rare these days for artist to showcase the art of dance in their performance and let their backing group get solo; so when Usher invited the audience into his past and focused on a part of culture that was deep in his roots it was hard not to be appreciative. It also helped raise the question of would him and his team be able to serve Chris Brown and his crew in a dance battle.
He would even reference the choreography from his “You Make Me Wanna” music video and provide a hidden treasure to those truly paying attention
Mr. U-s-h-e-r didn’t try to reinvent the wheel. The 90 minute set touched multiple areas of the veteran artist song catalog, giving fans all the hits they wanted to hear but in a way he needed them to be heard.
Pop singles like “OMG” and “Without You” were flooded with stage antics, fireworks, flashing lights and a ton of pyrotechnics to help show why Usher has been able to crossover to multiple genres and gain international success. These tracks served as an opportunity for everyone to vibe together.
Meanwhile songs like “Confessions Part 1” and “Let it Burn,” which were song acoustically gave fans the opportunity to sing along. Maybe it’s just me, but it’s amazing that both those songs, and a song like “Climax,” which talks about the complications of a relationship, provided the perfect opportunity for all few guys in in attendance a reason to be hugged up with their ladies.
Without warning, Usher’s long time friend and producer Jermaine Dupri joined him on stage and performed an extensive set of older work from the artist that his day one fans, or “OG fans,” what JD called them, would enjoy. Many of the songs dated back to as far as Usher’s debut album “My Way” and sophomore follow-up “8701.” Jermaine Dupri was 100 percent accurate when he said that “we could do this all night,” because their brief mini set did not even scratch the surface of records they did together.
-
Kendrick Lamar performs at UCF’s annual “420 Concert Series”
Kendrick Lamar stated to CFE Arena that he would be back, when he performed at the venue last year, and Sunday night he lived up to his promise. After taking a break in 2013, UCF brought back their annual “420 Concert Series,” with Mr. Lamar. He was supported by a vast of supporting acts, with the most recognizable act being his Top Dawg Entertainment label mate Jay Rock.
Mr. Lamar stayed true to his “Control” verse — where he stated that “I ain’t rockin’ no more designer sh*t” — as he hit the stage sporting a white tee, blue jeans, Detroit Tigers fitted, and a pair of white, blue and gold Nikes (possibly Lebron 9’s). He does not have many show dates on his schedule, so it’s uncertain what Mr. Lamar has been up. Based off of his scruffy look, possibly (hopefully) working on a new album. The Compton, Calif. rapper performed songs dating back to his first project “O.verly D.edicated,” up to singles past his “good kid, m.A.A.d city.”
Aside from his short set, Mr. Jay Rock would join Mr. Lamar on stage during his performance to play their song “Money Trees” together. During his solo set, he performed his 2011 hit “Hood Gone Love It,’ as well as his verse from Ab-Soul’s “Black Lil Bastard.”
Orlando-based rapper Caskey also made a brief visit to the stage. While he did not perform, he and his DJ Slim did manage to take over the microphone and hype up the crowd prior to TDE taking the stage.
-
Tech N9ne brings ‘Independent Grind Tour’ to Plaza Live (review)
A rapper that spits rapid-fast aggressive lyrics, paints his face, draws a hardcore cult fanbase, and is named after a semi-automatic handgun, just doesn’t sound like the guy you want to walk up to and attempt to start a conversation with.
Kansas City rapper Tech N9ne brought his “Independent Grind Tour” to Orlando Thursday night, performing at the Plaza Live — his first time ever at the venue.
“We like this place, so don’t do anything stupid. We’re trying to come back here next year,” said the show’s hype man to the crowd, before exhibiting his utterly disgust for another Orlando venue which Mr. Tech N9ne has performed at in the past.
In attempt to get a feel for his audience, Mr. Tech N9ne disguised himself under a red Jabbawockeez mask and wandered throughout the Plaza venue; grabbing a few drinks at the bar and even catching the entire set for opening act Psych Ward Druggies.
By the time it was his turn to take the stage, Mr. Tech N9ne had did a complete outfit change. Dressed head-to-toe in a black mechanic outfit with white face paint, the independent rapper out of Kansas City Mo. displayed his showmanship in his 90-minute set.
Quite interesting, fan were more into actually experiencing the moment instead of recording it on their smartphone. For most of the show — despite when Mr. Tech N9ne encouraged female audience members to climb on top someone shoulders and display their breast — if one was to look out into the audience all they would see is “strange” people with their face painted, dancing, raging and moshing, not being distracted by technology and the outside world.
Mr. Tech N9ne was accompanied by Strange Music labelmate Krizz Kaliko, dressed in similar attire minus the face paint. The two put on what appeared to be a choreographed hip-hop show; non-stop motion, timely stage exits and arrivals between songs, and synchronized dancing.
While his pop locking skills; Motown like moves; and machine gun type flowing were entertaining, he was at his strongest during his more intimate sessions of the set. He let the crowd in on his sensitive side as he introduced popular single “Fragile,” which features Kendrick Lamar, ¡MAYDAY! & Kendall Morgan. While none of the artist were their to assist in the performance, Mr. Kaliko would help provide backing vocals — much like he did the entire night.
Rapper Freddie Gibbs, out of Gary, Ind., acted as the main opening act and had no problem demonstrating to everyone why he is called Gangsta Gibbs. Throughout his set, he would get everyone of the audience to scream “f*** the police” every chance he got. Mr. Gibbs took a more simplistic approach, gaining the attention of the crowd with less attention to the production aspect, but more on his bars and Acapella flows.
Funk Volume’s Jarren Benton also served as a support act for the “Independent Grind Tour.” He was backed by “the worst DJ ever,” who kept his identity hidden behind a full-face mask; and a crazy-haired drummer. He wasted no time on the turn up, quickly heading to the guard rails to get close and personal with the crowd. Mr. Benton is a very charismatic artist. He commands the stage, while giving fans the opportunity to perform on a big stage, even if it’s only as his hype man.
-
CONCERT REVIEW: G-Eazy treats intimate Plaza Live performance like an arena stage
It appears as if their is some characteristic in Bay Area rappers that leave men wanting them to have sex with their girlfriends.
Whether or not G-Eazy followed up with the young man after his show, and took him up on the opportunity to fornicate his girlfriend; when you’re a rising artist these things happen.
G-Eazy aka Young Gerald, 24, of Oakland Calif., lit up the Plaza Live Theater, Wednesday night, with one of the more extravagant productions the venue has seen in a while. It’s feels as if he thought he was performing on the granddaddy stage of them all. Neon sign spelling out his name hanged high, steps down below, drummer to his left, keyboardist to his right, and lighting trusses helping illuminate the stage — creating an energy the crowd could vibe off of and not leaving him having to depend on their reactions.
Luckily for him, the crowd’s energy level was either equal to his if not higher throughout the course of the night, so if that was the case he would have still been okay. While the audience could chant the lyrics to songs from his two most popular projects, “The Endless Summer” and “Must Be Nice,” down to a tee, they did not hesitate to show just as much enthusiasm to unreleased songs from his upcoming project “These Things Happen.”
His set is broken up into three clear pieces: rage with the fellas, prove my style can flirt with the mainstream sound, and sympathize with the ladies. He showed his more intimate side on popular singles “Runaround Sue” — sampled from Dion’s 1961 pop song of the same name — and “Kings,” a Jai Paul sample, which first comes off as cover to Drake’s “Dreams Money Can Buy.”
During his set, G-Eazy took the time to invite his opening acts on stage with him to perform. Rockie Fresh, a Chicago rapper who is signed to Atlantic Records through Rick Ross’s Maybach Music Group imprint, rejoined G-Eazy on stage, alongside up-and-coming Canadian artist Tory Lanez, to perform an exclusive remix of his track “Been On.”
After hearing the crowd chant for it all night, it was only right G-Eazy closed out the show with an encore performance of “Loaded”; following the black and white “These Things Happen” balloon takeover during “Almost Famous.”
Based off his demeanor and cool sleek 50’s school boy swag — slicked greaser hairstyle; black leather jacket with hoodie underneath, black jeans and Nikes, hater blocker sunglasses and gold chain — Young Gerald came off all the boyfriend all parents feared their daughter would bring home for Thanksgiving.
He didn’t get here by mistake; blending different elements from artist he toured with in the past (Lil Wayne, Drake, T.I. and Snoop Dogg, just to name a few), fans get more than just a guy walking back and forth across the stage — they get an experience. He use the lights, production and stage setup to help cultivate each song transitions.
Thanks to the internet, it’s becoming much less uncommon for a signed artist to be opening for someone doing music independently. G-Eazy is willing to spend whatever it cost to help him succeed and grow as an artist, so who knows for how much longer fans will be able to get an arena style performance in a smaller venue, with a small venue ticket price.
-
Juicy J brings his ‘Never Sober Tour’ to Firestone Live
When Juicy J is in town, you can expect to witness a side of your best friend that you may have never thought existed.
Juicy J performs at the ‘Never Sober Tour’ at the Firestone Live in Orlando, Fla. on Feb. 21, 2014. (Ty Wright / Valencia Voice) If one was to drive past Firestone Live, Saturday night around 6:30 p.m. and took a long look at the crowd waiting outside the venue, it would have been hard to guess that all those kids were waiting to see an artist responsible for creating 90’s rap group Three 6 Mafia — as the “X’s” on their hand proved they were not even born when he started his career in the business.
Twerking, bottle popping and clouds of kush smoke are always on the schedule for a Juicy J concert, and the Orlando stop of the “Never Sober Tour” was no different.
Restless fans of all ages, races, social statues and backgrounds got extra lit as the trippy rapper — out of Memphis, Tenn. — took the stage at Firestone Live (three hours and fifteen-minutes from when the first act took the stage). For those who managed to make it all the way to see the trippy king, and not get kicked out due to fighting or fainting, they were in for a treat.
While Juicy J ran through a majority of his anthems, including “Bandz a Make Her Dance,” “Bounce It” and “Scholarship” — which got all the ladies dancing on the stripper pole off to the side of the stage — he did manage to slow it down and add a personal aspect into the show.
During his acapella version of “A Zip And A Double Cup” the crowd was at it’s all-time high, rapping the lyrics in perfect harmony.
Project Pat opens for Juicy J’s ‘Never Sober Tour’ at the Firestone Live in Orlando, Fla. on Feb. 21, 2014. (Ty Wright / Valencia Voice) Before getting into some of my personal favorites Three 6 Mafia songs: “Slob On My Knob,” “Stay High,” and “Poppin My Collar,” Juicy J made it known that “In order to f*** with me, you have to know where I come from.”
On top of the many local acts, Project Pat and Travi$ Scott acted as supporting acts. Project Pat got the main card going, with possibly the longest set of the night. While it was uncertain if many of the people in the front row even knew who he was, it did not stop them from dancing — especially the two girls who hopped the gate separating the stage from the floor to dance along side him.
Scott, who is signed to both T.I.’s Grand Hustle label and Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music label, was nothing but a giant fireball full of energy. Watching Scott, aka La
Flame, perform is a full-time job in itself. If one was to blink — for even a millisecond — they could have missed the
Travi$ Scott opens for Juicy J’s ‘Never Sober Tour’ at the Firestone Live in Orlando, Fla. on Feb. 21, 2014. (Ty Wright / Valencia Voice) opportunity to see one of his entertaining, yet borderline, dangerous stunts. As Scott crowd surfaced, you could see his team holding their breath as it appeared he was close to being dropped and smacking his head on the Firestone Live floor.
Whether he was performing more popular songs “Upper Echelon” and “Uptown” or singles like “Bad Mood,” it was evident that much of the crowd was there to see him as much as they were they were there to see Juicy J.
Random thoughts: Did Juicy J toss his shoes into the crowd after his set because the venue told him he had to finish after 45-minutes, but still had more songs he wanted to perform but couldn’t so he felt bad for the crowd? Or was he just tired of those shoes and was waiting to give them away? Why were there so many “opening acts” when the artist already has two other artist on tour with him?
OBK CHANNEL 