It's been weeks now since a "warrant" has been issued for Young Money Entertainment roaster. Word on the street was they were traveling across the country and planning to make a stop in Detroit, MI. Hip Hop fan that I am I vowed to check them out.
It turns out when I showed up at the DTE Energy Center an hour early, I wasn't the only one holding the information. Thousands of kids and adults were already tailgating in the parking lot and blasting music (mostly the latest underground mixtapes of the lineup) through their car speakers. You can feel the excitement and electricity in the air as you enter the Festival-like venue.
It's showtime.
R&B heartthrobs Jeremih & Pleasure P respectively hit the stage and had the ladies testing their vocals chords through piercing screams. Jeremih's "Birthday Sex" and Pleasure P "Boyfriend # 2" were the crowd favorites, all the girls were singing along without missing any lyrics. The fellas on the other hand were in for a treat as well, with the very talented dancers moving to every ouhs and ahhs of the singers.
Now that the crowd has been warmed up, it's Soulja Boy's turn. He walks out, the teens are hollering and waving, cameras flashes can't outshine the heavy diamond encrusted chain on his neck. Its weight doesn't slow him down from hopping all over the stage and feed the crowd with the energy he brought with him. It seems to work because everybody is bobbing their heads to tunes like "Gucci Bandana" and waving their hands as he instructs them to do with his #1 hit "Turn My Swag On" playing. An infectious song that kept everybody on their feet. In mid-set he slowed it down a bit for the ladies with "Kiss Me Through The Phone" and the young group of teenage girls in front of me were literally doing that.
Lil Wayne's most feared accomplice Young Jeezy needed no introduction. Before his entrance a Breaking News spot is showing on the screen. The Snowman is wanted all over America and today he's in the Motor City. Detroit is his second home as he kept reminding the crowd. Motown gave him the welcome he deserved, we rose on our feet and saluted him with rap-a-longs and adlib fillers (Yeeaaaaaah!!!) His set included cuts from his classic mixtape "Trap or Die" and hits from his mainstream albums. Jeezy stepped up his stage performance by including a Live band, your average rapper usually get away with a simple DJ. He even went acapella a few times to highlight his wordplay.
Now, you know Jeezy wouldn't leave the stage before giving us that Thug Motivation (TM). Jeezy took us early back to school (I start 09/09) with a lecture on TM 101 and TM 102, he urged us to register for TM 103 when it comes out as he exited.
After a quick short intermission to prepare the stage for the man of the hour, Lil Wayne makes his way center stage, the place explodes, so do the fireworks set above. Wayne is the most wanted in America and he wasn't hiding tonight, he couldn't anyway because of the spotlight on him. This is the loudest the crowd has been all night it made me regret not buying those earplugs I saw on sale earlier. The production was not shy on the pyrotechnics, fire was blazing when the DJ cued "Fireman", a white thick cloud of smoke covered the whole stage when Wayne asked us about that "Kush". Dancers help Wayne put a visual on songs like "Lollipop" and "Mrs. Officer".
The unofficial first lady of Young Money (Nicki Minaj still holds that title), Shanell also assisted the Boss in a couple cuts. Her daring outfit and impressive vocals while performing "Prom Queen" made it her most memorable appearance.
After showing love to Birdman and to his DJ with the fitting track "Go DJ", Wayne felt obliged to show the same kind of affection to the rest of the family so he introduced us to Lil Chucky, Lil Twist, Tyga, Gudda Gudda, Jae Millz, Mack Maine and of course Nicki Minaj ("It's barbie bitch!"). Drake couldn't make the show due to a torn ACL injury.
You couldn't ask for a better way to end your Summer as some of us head back to college. You must experience this Hip Hop and R&B display of young talent. The transitions between sets were smooth and the pyrotechnics quite impressive. Entertainment is part of Young Money and we sure got our "Money's" worth (see what I did there? Never mind). Musicians always look for the crowd's feedback as they display their artistry. Everybody was responding to every single prompt, so I know at the end of their respective performances they proudly uttered the words "We killed it!".
Thanks again to Sarah for this memorable experience and the great seats.
Young Money got it right! They are still on the run, catch them if you can.
Young Mullllaaaahh Baabyyyy!
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