Month: February 2011

Ms. Badu’s DAMN Birthday JAM – House of Blues Sunset Strip

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First of all, I LOVE Erykah Badu!!!!  I have all her albums and truly believe her music is spiritual and for the conscious soul…  Not many people will agree with me, but I think any music virtuoso will share the same sentiment.  So of course when I got a last-minute invite approx. 2hrs before her Feb. 24th show I was SUPER SICED!  This particular situation was extra special, as a dear friend and mentor hit me up w/ VIP access to attend (so I humbly obliged).

We arrived fairly early and was able to secure prime positioning on the balcony level stage right, without any visual obstruction.  Food of choice catfish nuggets + quesadillas, libation = Makers Mark.  Ms. Badu hit the stage approx. 2hrs later than expected, but DJ Eque kept me partying to infamous 90’s East/West bangers.  The show started in the vain of a jam session with various artists taking the stage, one by one.   There was quite a soulful line-up, such as N’Dambi and Mayor Hawthorne.   Biz Markie and even Dave Chappelle made a surprise appearance.  Chappelle hit the stage and even went in on the keys, Moonlighting the Sonata…

Apparently, Erykah Badu turned 40 this year and I’m literally shocked!  She looked good, of course eccentric but definitely HOT!!!:

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Her performance consisted of a full band, in addition to Ms. Badu on a Roland drum machine…  The set was HOT, but took a little warming up before she really turned it out.  The last time I saw Erykah Badu perform was 2001 at the Soul Beach Music Festival inside the Miami Orange Bowl and I definitely prefer the intimate non-pregnant set best.  She hit my favorite love mantra “I Want You,” the infectious chanting and simplicity of words embodied in the Worldwide Underground album. *whewwwwww*

The night was one to remember, I was in good company and ran into a few familiar folks…  Aside from the chicken bone in my quesadilla and partying a little too hard w/ a gay dude (who knocked my drink over the railing onto some poor soul below), it couldn’t have been any better.  Ecstactic I was able to share the moment w/ Ms. Badu to celebrate her 40th Birthday.

I also want to shout-out a few folks that I had the pleasure of seeing:  Gary Owen (@garyowencomedy) & Laz Alonso (DC native @lazalonso – Avatar & Miracle at St. Ana) were both mesmerized by Ms. Badu’s ass-piring performance.  The homie Eddie Goines (@EddieGoines) the leading man for N’Dambi’s new music video, was with the director Matthew Cherry (@MatthewACherry – whom’s hustle I truly admire).  B’more K (Karron Johnson), always fun chopping it up & talking sh*t.  Ms. Wanzer, I miss you girl!  Paul (@PDiesl), it’s funny how twitter creates alliances.

The Dogg House presented by Adidas, HVW8 and Snoop (Feb. 16, 2011)

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I had the pleasure of attending the Snoop Exhibit at the HVW8 Art Gallery, 661 N. Spaulding off Melrose in Los Angeles and I must say I truly enjoyed myself.  Initially, I was taken aback by artists taking swigs of Colt 45 in paper bags but soon came to realize that it went all too well with the theme of the event (the paper bags were actually insulated to maintain the coldness of the malt liquor).  To bring the event full circle, there was FREE fried chicken catered by Dante’s Fried Chicken truck which washed down well with the Colt 45.  Making my way to the bar, the beautiful hostess’ greeted me with a choice of carton water, classic Colt 45 or the new Colt 45 BLAST in Strawberry Lemonade, Blueberry Pomegranate and Raspberry Lemonade (which hits shelves April 4, 2011).  I festively decided on BLAST Strawberry Lemonade which really got me feeling NICE!

As the place began to pack out and I realized there was not ONE familiar face, I sparked conversation with newlyweds who were just sooo sweet & cute.  The DJ was jamming and Dam Funk hit the mic, giving a full out performance of Pasadena grown “west coast – FUNK.”  This was an authentic LA experience, and I couldn’t help but dance.  Computer Jay started out the party BUT Dam Funk definitely ended it, a truly talented musician he went from DJing, singing, electronic vocoding and even the keyboard guitar.  Snoop eventually hit the mic and seemed a little modest in terms of performing.  But the audience was not having it!

I met a few cool folks Anthony (DC native & music producer), Claudia & her husband, KG, Tyrin Ford of Ethno Brands and of course THANKS to the homey Slav K.

For info on the gallery go to:  http://hvw8.com/2011/02/16/adidas-hvw8-and-snoop-present-the-dogg-house/