Tag: Music

  • Benny the Butcher’s Money & Power Tour: A Grimy Hip-Hop Takeover Hits the Road Fall 2025

    Benny the Butcher’s Money & Power Tour: A Grimy Hip-Hop Takeover Hits the Road Fall 2025

    Get ready for an explosive night of raw lyricism and unrelenting energy! Buffalo’s own Benny the Butcher is set to storm stages across the East Coast and beyond with his Money & Power Tour, kicking off this week. Don’t miss your chance to witness Benny the Butcher live as he commands the stage with unmatched hustle and heart.

    Presented by BSF, it’s hitting mid-sized venues perfect for that sweaty, up-close vibe. Joining Benny are BSF’s OT The Real and Griselda producer Daringer. 

    Fresh off his Def Jam album Everybody Can’t Go and the May 2025 surprise EP Excelsior Benny’s delivering a live sermon on street wisdom and unyielding hustle.

    Tickets on sale now—grab yours before they’re gone!

  • OBK REACTS: Taylor Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl is A Glittering, Giddy Victory Lap Through Love and Limelight

    OBK REACTS: Taylor Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl is A Glittering, Giddy Victory Lap Through Love and Limelight

    In the whirlwind aftermath of her introspective album The Tortured Poets Department Taylor Swift returns with The Life of a Showgirl—her twelfth studio album and a dazzling pivot back to unapologetic pop euphoria. Released on October 3, 2025, this 12-track collection feels like a love letter to domestic bliss, wrapped in the sequins and spotlights of Swift’s enduring fascination with fame’s double-edged sword. Co-produced with longtime collaborators Max Martin and Shellback, the record swaps brooding poetry for infectious melodies and playful storytelling, channeling retro soft rock, ‘80s disco-pop flourishes, and even hints of trap and reggae into a harmonious haze of acoustic guitars, atmospheric synths, and multitracked vocals that soar into ad-libbed crescendos.

    Gwen Stefani is not the only White Nubian Queen who can pop out with the ska drums mid-career.

    The Life of a Showgirl: It’s Swift at her most relaxed and radiant, basking in the glow of her real-life romance with Travis Kelce while slyly shading exes, industry gatekeepers, and cultural critics along the way. The result? A record that’s equal parts whimsical escape and whip-smart commentary—lighthearted enough to soundtrack a spontaneous road trip, yet layered with the kind of incisive wit that reminds us why Swift remains pop’s sharpest scribe.

    At its core, The Life of a Showgirl is a celebration of settling into joy after chaos, with themes of loyalty, redemption, and the quiet thrill of a peaceful domestic partnership threading through straightforward love songs and reflective vignettes on past heartaches. Opener ‘The Fate of Ophelia’ sets a Shakespearean tone.

    What elevates The Life of a Showgirl from solid pop fare to something truly addictive is its standout tracks, each a gem that showcases Swift’s chameleon-like versatility. ‘Actually Romantic,’ the album’s seventh cut at a punchy 2:43, is a gleeful diss track masquerading as a flirtation, with Swift flipping the script on obsession (read: a cheeky nod to Charli XCX’s ‘Sympathy Is a Knife’) into something empowering and flirty. The track’s brevity is its strength, distilling pettiness into pure pop propulsion.

    Then there’s ‘Wi$h Li$t’ (stylized with that cheeky dollar sign), a 3:27 anthem of grounded ambition that trades champagne wishes for cozy realities. Over banjo-tinged riffs and a reggae-laced melody, Swift lists her true desires—a quiet home, loyal love—dismissing material excess. It’s the album’s emotional anchor, blending vulnerability with vintage Swift storytelling.

    Pardon the reach—pause; ‘Wood’ is the record’s boldest double entendre, using redwood imagery to knock on wood for good fortune while slyly celebrating her lover’s “It’s a dick on the phone.” With grunge-touched guitars and a playful trap beat drop, it’s raunchy yet romantic, Swift’s breathy delivery turning innuendo into anthemic glee.

    Swift positions herself among the ridiculed figures of pop history, interpolating industry beefs into a defiant groove of handclaps and horn stabs in ‘CANCELLED!’ It’s empowering without bitterness, the kind of track that could rally a stadium crowd, blending social commentary with dance-floor energy. 

    Skip to ‘Honey’ for the album’s thesis.

    If The Life of a Showgirl occasionally prioritizes polish over profundity—leaving some yearning for the raw edges of her folk eras—it’s hard to deny its contagious joy. The title track, a duet with Sabrina Carpenter, ties it all together as a resilient showgirl facing exploitation with wry wisdom and a spoken outro from Swift’s final Eras show. In a year that’s seen Swift dominate headlines, this album isn’t her most revolutionary, but it’s one of her most purely pleasurable—a glittering reminder that even icons need nights off to just fall in love. Rating: 8.6/10. Stream it, spin the orange glitter vinyl, and let the show go on.

  • Instruments jump out speakers from track one on Doja Cat fifth studio album ‘Vie’ [7/10]

    Instruments jump out speakers from track one on Doja Cat fifth studio album ‘Vie’ [7/10]

    Since we are talking about rap girlies and liner notes produced in part by Jack Antonoff when does producer find the time to create sitting on the Bleachers.

    “Dealing out the cards, baby, watch me play my hand.” Lyrics hitting on relationships like a game? Smart. The production is crisp, got that pop-rap vibe.

    Few hard beat drops with those trap elements mixed with her signature playfulness Doja Cat has blessed the atmosphere with another project and by design it’s nothing like her previous work. 

    One might appreciate the song “Paint the Town Red” and be willing to wait at her station if her music were shuffled to support her financially, alongside others who navigate multiple ventures, as that reflects how the music industry is promoted today.

    The genre Doja Cat wants to be in, hopefully not bluegrass, has not had a culture pull like the genre her last album has (Queen so special she might be only artist to release a rap album on DSP n it also not go in Hip-Hop). Coming-of-the-age record ‘Take Me Dancing (feat. SZA)’ the only record with a featured artist is Pop forcing. Who in Pop sings with as much funk as either artist on this record in the past few years. Shit, who another black pop artist because “they don’t just let one of do it” and even Khalid gay ass RNB. 

    Not as sharp as ‘Kiss Me More’ but that crossover energy is fresh. Their voices blend so well on ‘Take Me Dancing’ over the funk-pop beat. Doja’s taking risks, and it pays off. 

    Their voices blend perfectly, soulful pop perfection. Doja and SZA chemistry? Iconic. Big Time Poster. 10/10, no cap!

    Nothing says I am an old bitch like ‘Couples Therapy’. The song features a Black woman rapping over 808 beats, with a loop that may or may not be sampled.

    Gorgeous, if Steve Harvey surveyed 100 people, would it be a crime to disagree that three of the top five answers do not match the genre described? If someone knows those answers are incorrect in a subject they studied but still tried to present them as accurate, what might they attempt to misrepresent in a subject where the other person lacks knowledge?

    Everything sound like vibe music. Where are the excursions. 

    Yes ‘Stranger’ – I mean no – I don’t like dick and wow this is specific and we are early into the album. Doja’s humor shines. The whole thang cohesive but playful, not boxed in ‘Acts Of Service’ and ‘Make It Up’ depart from the retro a bit for more modern rap flair. 

    After the rap-heavy ‘Scarlet,’ this feels like her reclaiming that glossy pop magic from ‘Hot Pink’ and ‘Planet Her,’ but with a nostalgic twist inspired by Prince, Janet Jackson, and those mega-cheesy sax solos found in the middle of movies while display gave a scenic view of the landscape. 

    Everyone’s sold—miss the high-energy weirdness of old Doja—but this feels like her finding equilibrium as a rapper making pop.

    Halfway through, and Vie is cohesive but never boring—zappy synths, slapping bass, and sporadic bluesy chords keep it grooving: ‘Lipstain’ is a slow-burning, seductive hip-hop/R&B track designed to make hearts race and bodies sway. It’s the kind of song that feels like a private conversation between the artist and the listener, with a beat that’s equal parts sensual and commanding. The vibe is Destiny’s Child’s ‘Cater to You’ meets The Weeknd’s moody charisma, with a modern hip-hop edge. The lyrics are flirty, confident, and playful—celebrating desire, connection, and that magnetic pull of attraction. The title “Lipstain” evokes intimacy, leaving a mark, and lingering presence, like lipstick on a collar or a memory you can’t shake.

    The track is built for a live performance moment where the artist locks eyes with the crowd, slows the tempo, and creates a shared experience. Toward the end, she orchestrates a unified crowd gesture—hands raised in sync—for a photo-op that’s as much about capturing the moment as it is about flexing for the ‘Gram.

    It’s pop-heavy, ’80s-inspired, with love and life vibes. Themes of romance, desire, and unapologetic. If it ain’t dance and if it ain’t a sub-genre in pop that dominates the genre infrastructure we will take it at the Hip-Hop picnik.

  • Target Electronics to Bring Back Midnight Releases with Exclusive Taylor Swift Physical Album at Midnight. Find out how to get your copy inside Monroe County – NY

    Target Electronics to Bring Back Midnight Releases with Exclusive Taylor Swift Physical Album at Midnight. Find out how to get your copy inside Monroe County – NY

    Taylor Swift’s 12th album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” drops on Friday, Oct. 3, around the world.

    Still have a CD player? How about a first listen of Taylor Swift new album with a physical copy of the project. 

    According to a press release from Target Corporate, select stores will open their doors at midnight on October 3 to give Swifties the chance to be some of the first to hold the physical copies of the album. And in Monroe County, the Henrietta Target is that store!

    Officials said fans will have the chance to shop four exclusive products: a pressing of “The Life of a Showgirl” on a limited edition vinyl, as well as three exclusive CDs with posters included.

    Now for the logistics: Physical or digital tickets will be distributed in the electronics section of the the Target stores Thursday starting at 10 p.m. Officials said that will reserve guests’ product for purchase. Once a guest has their ticket, they can continue shopping in the store and return to the designated queuing location at 11:45 p.m. to make their purchase at midnight.

    Due to high demand, there will be a purchase limit of four per item, per guest.

    Henrietta Target is located at 2325 Marketplace Dr, Rochester, NY 14623

    via. News 8 wroc

  • Rob49’s “Let Me Fly” Tour: Soaring from the South to the Stars

    Rob49’s “Let Me Fly” Tour: Soaring from the South to the Stars

    Rob49’s Let Me Fly Tour kicks off October 28, 2025, at Revolution Live in Fort Lauderdale, igniting a 17-city sprint behind his latest project. The New Orleans rapper’s gritty anthems fuel stops in Orlando (Oct 30), Atlanta (Oct 31), D.C. (Nov 4), New York (Nov 5), Toronto (Nov 7), Chicago, Denver, L.A., and more. It wraps November 25 in Houston’s White Oak Music Hall. Tickets are moving fast—secure yours now for $40 this week only. 

    This isn’t just a show; it’s liftoff for his first solo-headlining run, the Let Me Fly Tour, a 17-city odyssey ripped from the pages of breakthrough album of the same name. Featuring heavy-hitters like Sexyy Red, Cardi B, and Lil Wayne, the project pulses with Crescent City swagger—tales of grinding for gold, dodging the grindstone, and claiming the skies.

  • Hamilton Takes Rochester by Storm: A Revolutionary Fall Awaits West Herr Auditorium Theatre

    Hamilton Takes Rochester by Storm: A Revolutionary Fall Awaits West Herr Auditorium Theatre

    In the crisp embrace of a Finger Lakes autumn, where the leaves whisper secrets of rebellion and the Genesee River hums with untamed energy, Rochester is about to become the stage for history’s boldest remix. Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton: An American Musical—the Tony, Grammy, and Pulitzer Prize-winning juggernaut that fused hip-hop fire with Founding Fathers’ fury—returns triumphantly to the West Herr Auditorium Theatre from November 18 to 30, 2025. This isn’t just a tour stop; it’s a homecoming for a show that redefined Broadway, now electrifying the heart of upstate New York with its pulse-pounding score and razor-sharp storytelling.

    Miranda’s genius—equal parts Notorious B.I.G. swagger and Sondheim precision—transforms the Revolutionary War into a rhythm that gets under your skin, challenging you to rap along to the Constitution while questioning who gets to write the narrative of a nation.

    As the Angelica Company (the tour’s powerhouse ensemble) takes the stage, expect sold-out nights where local history buffs mingle with first-time theatergoers, all rising to their feet for that iconic “The Room Where It Happens.” Shows evening curtains at 7:00 p.m. and matinees at 1 p.m. on select days—prime for a weekend escape or a midweek revolution.

    Snag yours now via Ticketmaster or the official RBTL site, starting at around $78 (though premium seats command a Founding Father’s fortune). Whether you’re a “Helpless” romantic or a “Non-Stop” history hound, this is your shot. Don’t throw away your ticket—Rochester’s revolution starts November 18. Who lives, who dies, who tells your story? In the Flower City, it’ll be you.

  • Chaka Khan to Light Up Rochester’s Kodak Center with Performance

    Chaka Khan to Light Up Rochester’s Kodak Center with Performance

    UPDATE: Tomorrow Chaka Chan Show Cancelled with Postponed-Date To Be Announced Near Future.

    Gearing up for a night of funk, soul, and timeless hits the legendary Chaka Khan takes the stage at the Kodak Center on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at 8:00 PM. Known as the “Queen of Funk,” the 10-time Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter promises an electrifying evening filled with her signature powerhouse vocals and vibrant energy, marking a highlight of her 2025 tour.

    Chaka Khan, born Yvette Marie Stevens in Chicago, has been a trailblazer in music for over five decades. From her early days fronting the funk band Rufus with hits like “Tell Me Something Good” to her solo career-defining anthems such as “I’m Every Woman” and “Ain’t Nobody,” Khan’s influence on R&B, funk, and soul is undeniable. Her distinctive voice and dynamic stage presence have inspired generations of artists and continue to captivate audiences worldwide.

    The Kodak Center concert is a special homecoming for local guitarist Jon Dretto, who has been touring with Khan as her lead guitarist. Selected from thousands of submissions, the Webster native’s inclusion adds a layer of local pride to the event. Dretto’s chord riffs will complement Khan’s performance, making this a must-see show for Rochester music fans.

    Fans can expect a setlist packed with classics, likely including “Through the Fire,” “I Feel for You,” and “Sweet Thing,” as she is celebrating 50 years of music & will be taking a pause from “The Queens: 4 Legends, 1 Stage Tour,” giving fans a full dose of Khan’s unparalleled artistry.

    Tickets for October 1 are available through Ticketmaster, with prices varying based on seating.

    In for a treat as Chaka Khan brings funk-soul legacy to the Kodak Center whether you’re a lifelong fan or new to her music, this concert promises to be a celebration of an icon whose voice and spirit continue to shine brightly. Don’t miss the chance to experience the Queen of Funk live in the Flower City!

  • Dust Off Your Boots: MGK’s Lost Americana Tour Hits New York on June 13

    Dust Off Your Boots: MGK’s Lost Americana Tour Hits New York on June 13

    In a world that’s increasingly digital and detached Machine Gun Kelly is cranking up the volume on nostalgia with his newly announced “Lost Americana Tour” — a raucous road trip through the heartland’s forgotten anthems blending rock ‘n’ roll grit with pop-punk fire. 

    And he’s not riding solo. Expect fireworks from special guests Wiz Khalifa, the 2025-2026 global trek promises to resurrect the spirit of dive bars, open highways, and star-spangled rebellion, and one of its crown jewels is the high-octane stop at Darien Lake Amphitheater in Darien Center, New York, on Saturday, June 13, 2026.  

    Picture this: the summer sun dipping low over the amphitheater’s sprawling lawn, the air thick with the scent of fresh-cut grass and anticipation, as MGK storms the stage to reclaim America’s lost soul. Colson Baker—aka MGK—has always been a chameleon, flipping from rap phenom to chart-topping rocker without missing a beat. But Lost Americana feels like a homecoming. Drawing from his roots in Cleveland’s rust-belt underbelly, the tour dives deep into themes of faded glory and resilient dreams

    Darien Lake isn’t just any venue—it’s a 20,000-capacity beast nestled in the rolling hills near Buffalo, where the echoes of past legends like Aerosmith and Pearl Jam still linger. On June 13, it’ll transform into MGK’s personal jukebox of Americana. With the tour kicking off earlier legs across North America before jetting to Europe, Australia, and beyond, this New York date stands out as a pivotal East Coast anchor, bridging the heartland hustle with coastal cool. 

    If you’re craving a night that feels like cracking open a cold one with your ghosts of summers past, snag your artist presale tickets now via Ticketmaster— before they’re dust in the wind.

  • OBK REACTS: EGO DEATH AT A BACHELORETTE PARTY

    OBK REACTS: EGO DEATH AT A BACHELORETTE PARTY

    Get the tambourines. 

    Hate to tell you if you are miserable no one will ever know. 

    “Okay voices” — OBK on Glum

    Let’s be honest, going into IAM wondering which is going to be the next R&B banger 🫵🏼 wish you knew about earlier. BUT why the autotune. 

    Haley Williams plays with multiple genres, Ego Death At A Bachelorette Party was no- different. 

    Even when she does not want to appear too poppy it’s the catchiness in the lyrics that you can spin your grandma around and she will ignore the explicit sign while continuing her two-step while you wait patiently for the song to end.

    Now if you wonder if she keeps the same outside energy on her solo records refer to any line on the album title track. Ask a black person to explain the line if you are uncertain language. 

    5 playlist adds from Me 2 🫵🏻

    1. Ice In My OJ
    2. Brotherly Hate
    3. Ego Death At A Bachelorette Party 
    4. Negative Self Talk
    5. Love Me Different 
  • Get Ready, Buffalo: T-Pain’s TP20 Tour Hits Outer Harbor Live on October 10!

    Get Ready, Buffalo: T-Pain’s TP20 Tour Hits Outer Harbor Live on October 10!

    Get Ready, Buffalo: T-Pain’s TP20 Tour Hits Outer Harbor Live on October 10!

    Buffalo’s music scene is about to get a massive dose of nostalgia and high-energy vibes as Grammy-winning artist T-Pain rolls into town for a can’t-miss performance at Outer Harbor Live at Terminal B. Mark your calendars for Friday, October 10, 2025—this stop on his TP20 Tour: Celebrating 20 Years of T-Pain promises to be an epic night of hits, auto-tune magic, and unbreakable party spirit. 

    For those who grew up blasting tracks like “Buy U a Drank (Shawty Snappin’)” or “Bartender,” T-Pain needs no introduction. The Florida-born rapper, singer, and producer revolutionized the game in the mid-2000s with his innovative use of auto-tune, turning it from a studio tool into a cultural phenomenon. Over two decades, he’s racked up collaborations with everyone from Kanye West and Lil Wayne to Taylor Swift and Flo Rida, earning two Grammys along the way for smashes like “Blame It” with Jamie Foxx and “Good Life” with Kanye. But T-Pain’s story isn’t just about the charts—it’s about resilience. After facing backlash for his signature sound, he stripped it away on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert in 2014, proving his raw vocal talent and sparking a career renaissance. Now, at 40, he’s hotter than ever, with viral TikToks, a Twitch streaming empire, and fresh music that bridges generations.

    The TP20 Tour is T-Pain’s way of saying thank you to fans who’ve stuck with him through the highs and lows. Announced earlier this year with a heartfelt video message, the tour highlights his evolution from club anthems to introspective bangers, complete with surprise guests and deep cuts.  Expect a setlist packed with classics like “I’m Sprung,” “Chopped ‘N’ Skrewed,” and “Can’t Believe It,” alongside newer gems from his 2023 album On Top of the Covers, where he reimagines hits by artists like Sam Cooke and Journey. And if his recent shows are any indication, T-Pain’s live energy is infectious—he’s known for crowd-surfing, impromptu freestyles, and turning venues into massive sing-alongs.

    Joining T-Pain on stage in Buffalo are rising stars EarthGang and Armani White, adding layers of hip-hop flair and fresh sounds to the lineup.  EarthGang, the Atlanta duo signed to J. Cole’s Dreamville, brings their eclectic mix of soulful rhymes and psychedelic beats, while Armani White’s viral hit “Billie Eilish” promises to get the crowd hyped early.

    The venue couldn’t be more perfect for a fall night out. Outer Harbor Live at Terminal B, nestled along the shores of Lake Erie at 901 Fuhrmann Boulevard, is Buffalo’s go-to spot for outdoor concerts with stunning waterfront views.  Part of the Seneca Casinos Outer Harbor Live Concert Series, this amphitheater-style setup holds thousands and has hosted big names like Wallows this summer. 

    Gates open around 6:30 PM, with the show kicking off at 8 PM—plenty of time to grab drinks, snag merch, and soak in the sunset vibes.  Pro tip: Dress in layers for that crisp October air off the lake.

    Tickets are on sale now, starting at about $55, and they’re moving fast— Whether you’re a longtime fan reliving the glory days or a newcomer discovering his catalog, this concert is set to be a highlight of Buffalo’s 2025 music calendar.

    T-Pain’s ready to turn up; are you?