with electric love: Concerts

Oct 3, 2009

Freestyle Jam Concert

I was born in '81. I grew up listening to synthesized 80's pop music and dancing with my hair in the srcunchie tied to the side. I have to admit, I love the 80's and the music plays a big part on why. This era was fun, upbeat, and alive to say the least. And I believe only those who really experienced this era would understand. To this day, you can catch me at the gym working out to 80's music for a good sweat session. Every so often the famous artist of the 80's get together to do a national tour. Since I haven't seen them live when I was kid, I felt lucky I had my chance. I couldn't turn this concert down.

Event: Freestyle Jam Concert
Date: May 15, 2009
Location: Planet Hollywood, Las Vegas
Status: General Admission
Price: $40
Location in Crowd: moved from 20th row to 10th row from the stage
Companion: Jae, EJ, Marjorie, Sheryl, Sherry, & Emilio

I went with good company who were of course fellow fans. Considering these artists had their initial music breakthrough over 20 years ago, the concert was a GREAT turn out. The demographics consisted mostly of females who were in their late 20s or older. Once the music started and the lights went on, the teen bopper in me came out.!! I was off my seat, dancing and singing to all the lyrics. It was nostalgic. The crowd moved their bodies and voices to Stevie B, Debbie Deb, Expose, and other artists. I have to say they sounded exactly like how they did 20 years ago!! I was ecstatic to know that I added another "check" to my music bucket list.

"... Party your body I can make you feel like.
Party your body dancing to the morning light..."
"...When I dream about you, that’s when everything’s all right,
You're in my arms here next to me, forever...." - Stevie B

"...I, I'd like to feel the passion to the point of no returnnnn..." - Expose

"...Jumping music, slick deejays, fog machines and laser rays..." - Debbie Deb

"...Let the music play. he won't get away..." - Shannon

We were able to meet and greet with the artists, get our albums signed, and even got to kick it with Stevie and his band post show. Totally awesome to the max!!

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Oct 1, 2009

Jurassic 5 Concert

J5, the classic LA group born in the early 90's stemming from two groups called, Unity Committee and the Rebels of Rhythm. They rocked hip hop throughout the past decade and a half delivering to us 4 albums of raw beat and rhyme from recognizable and excellent DJs and rappers - Chali 2na, Soup, Cut Chemist, DJ Nu-Mark, Akil , and Mark 7even. Unfortunately, today the group is no longer together, but their music still remains in the the heads and hearts of hip hop. They just dropped their last album, "The Feedback", in July of that and I was lucky to catch their show only a few months before they broke up. Over the years, their style has minutely changed but their quality was always under control.

Event: Jurassic 5 Concert
Date: November 25, 2006
Location: Pipeline Cafe, Honolulu, HI
Status: General Admission
Price: $35
Location in Crowd: 3rd-5th row from the stage
Companion: Tricia, Laur, & Matt

Before the doors were open, the line of music hungry fans was wrapped around the building. Over hundreds of fans showed up. They played most of their hits and added some fresh freestylin' sets in both the emceeing and djing elements. The crowd was far from silent as everyone, myself included, rapped their rhymes and bobbed their heads.

"...my quality control, captivates your party patrol
Your mind, body, and soul..."

You have to take a listen to this clip. DJ Nu-Mark did a set with these toys and it was fkn amazing!! Since I didn't have room for video on my camera, I copped this from p1naypr1ncess. (thanks girl).

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Sep 19, 2009

John Legend Concert

Event: John Legend Concert
Date: September 18, 2009
Location: Red Rock Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, NV
Status: General Admission
Price: $84 (and worth every cent!)
Location in Crowd: 3rd row from the stage; Poolside
Companion: Laur & Jae

John Legend. Vocally talented and a Hottie... what more can I say?! This Grammy winner sweetheart sang my heart away at his intimate poolside concert. Only a few feet away with my mouth open and drooling, I was in love. He performed all of my (and probably every one's) favorites! He also did a few covers of Michael Jackson's hits and it was genuinely touching!

Performing "Stay With You" melted my soul...

"...Oh I'll stay with you through the ups and the downs
Oh I'll stay with you when no one else is around
And when the dark clouds arrive
I will stay by your side
I know we'll be alright
I will stay with you..."

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Sep 7, 2009

Ooklah The Moc & Groundation Concert

"I'm always high, even though I don't smoke anymore. I've reached nirvana."
- Chong

This is exactly how I feel every time I listen to island reggae music. Although I never smoked anything in my entire lifetime, listening to this distinct genre of music gives me that kind of high. There is something about reggae music that relaxes me or helps me find some sort of tranquility. Maybe its the unique way of how the various instruments sound in that off beat nature. Maybe its the vocals of a high pitch raspy tone that eases my soul, or makes me wanna get up and skank. I was always surrounded by island roots and reggae music. This art of musical expression has influenced so many existing and new musical genres and artists.

Event: Ooklah The Moc & Groundation Concert
Date: November 2006
Location: Pipeline Cafe, Hawaii
Status: VIP
Price: Free (bday gift from a friend)
Location in Crowd: VIP Balcony
Companion: Nevitte & Alika

Hawaii's very own Ooklah Da Moc was the opening act. I love them.

Groundation performed right after. The crowd "went all nuts." This awesome roots reggae band from NorCal has been bringing it since 1998. They played their latest "Upon The Bridge." And because it was open bar in the VIP section, I got drunk in the middle of Groundation's set. Never again did I drink at a concert. Lesson learned. Haha.

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Aug 15, 2009

MURS - "The Science" & MURS Concert

MURS, one the members of groups: 3 Melancholy Gypsys, Living Legends, and Felt. He released his long awaited album in 2008 called, "MURS for President." Pretty good album. Many producers were on it, including 9th Wonder of course! My favorite track, "The Science." Beats are jazzy. Rap is smooth. Lyrics are political. It's a story that addresses issues like drugs, the government, and the people and how it was turned around to form hip hop. The video was released April of this year and like a president, he's dressed nothing less than a black suit and advocating for the people.

Advertisement for this show were only through word of mouth or on Zia Record's Myspace. I couldn't turn down this free Murs show.... even if I would be by myself! So I didn't. Got there quite early. Stood in the front. And watched a fkn great show. MURS' name stands for "Making Underground Raw Shit" and through all the years he truly tries to live by that name! He is raw! And although he signed with Warner Bros., he still gives out that underground feel in his music.

Event: MURS In-Store Performance
Date: Friday, October 3, 2008
Location: Zia Records, Las Vegas
Status: General admission
Price: Free
Location in Crowd: 2nd row from stage
Companion: None

[My camera didn't have enough memory to catch a really good video so I copped this video from mixtapebros. Thanks.]

Meet & greet, album signing, and chatting with Murs! Told him I was from Hawaii and he couldn't resist throwing up a shaka!! Yeaaahhh!

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Aug 12, 2009

Mini Rock The Bells 2009

Rock The Bells. I call this annual concert the "Woodstock of Hip Hop." Tens and Thousands of Hip Hip fans gather to witness multiple artists, groups, and djs in one big ass 12 hour concert. The lineup is always crazy! The fans are even crazier!

I've been to 2 Rock The Bells Concerts consecutively for the past 2 years. '09 was supposed to be my 3rd. At first, I wasn't really interested in going because I've already seen the main headliners (Nas, Damien Marley, The Roots, Common); some more than once. But when I read that Reflection Eternal, Slum Village, Sage Francis, and Mystic Journeymen would be a part of the lineup... I wanted to go soooo bad! Also, when I realized that Nas AND Damien Marley would be doing a collab... I had to go! I just had to! BUT, for some odd reason this year, RTB in LA and SF landed on the same fkn weekend. Usually, they would a week apart. I couldn't go on that particular weekend due to having people in town to visit, whom I don't get to see too often. So there went my chances of watching RTB this year! I was bummed. Seriously, I hated all my other fam and friends for being there. Makes me sick to know that I am hip hop's number one fan and I couldn't even go. I had dreams about it before and after that weekend about RTB. No joke.

Luckily, after RTB SF was done and over with, I heard that there would be a mini RTB right here in Vegas! I never decided to go only 'cause after the weekend, I was hella tired and been on a tight ass budget. Also, the lineup wasn't as much as the real RTB. BUT because Reflection Eternal, Slum Village, Pete Rock, Slaughterhouse, and Supernatural were gonna be performing, I didn't want to regret it. So 30 mintues before doors opened at House of Blues, I decided to go, (even if I were to go by myself). Yes, that's hardcore, right?! But it was sign, I couldn't miss it!

Event: Mini Rock The Bells 2009
Date: August 11, 2009
Location: House Of Blues, Las Vegas
Status: general admission
Location in Crowd: 2nd row from the stage
Companion: Jenah
Price: $31

The concert started off with Supernatural doing his usual thang... Freestylin'. To me, he's the King of MC Freestyle. His impersonations of artist are on point and his creativeness blows you away with his wide mind boggling dictionary. I also got to meet, shake his hand, and thank him afterwards. Slaughterhouse (Joe Budden, Crooked I, Joell Ortiz, and Royce the 5'9") performance followed. The first time I saw them at the Paid Dues Concert, I wasn't really feeling it, but this time, I actually really enjoyed it! They're tracks and performance were a little hard and strong for my taste but easy to like!! Not to mention I got to meet and kick it with them at the bar later and they are really nice folks!

Watching Tech Nine's show was also my second time. In fact, most of the crowd there were Tech Nine fans and you wouldn't believe how many people were trying to push to the front. The choreographed dancing, matching clothes, and catchy hooks made their stage show hyped!! I am not a fan of their music but I do appreciate what they have to offer.

And the reason was why I needed to be at this concert...drum roll please...Reflection Eternal!! My fave mc, Talib, and his partner, Hi-Tek, killed it!! There was a announcement a month back that they are to be reunited and a track was release, "Back Again." I am fkn happy period. For all you newbies who don't know who they are, please take a moment and know your history.

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Aug 4, 2009

Hieroglyphics, Souls of Mischief, & Blue Scholars Concert

This is the second year I saw Hieroglyphics, Souls of Mischief, and Blue Scholars on a tour together. And like last year, it was here in Vegas... in the hot August summer. If ya'll don't know who Hieroglyphics and Souls of Mischief are please take a moment to google them because I swear they are must know classic groups in the hip hop culture. These Oakland cats started back in the early 1990s and still influence heads today. Blue Scholars, a fairly new one emcee and one DJ duo from the Northwest, started a little over 10 years later. As you can see, these two groups, new school and old school, can come together to bridge the gap.

Event: Hieroglyphics, Souls of Mischief, & Blue Scholars Tour
Date: August 2007, August 2008
Location: Beauty Bar, Downtown Las Vegas
Status: general admission
Location in Crowd: 1st/2nd row from the stage; then backstage/VIP area
Companion: 2007- the BF and Homies Art, & Joe. 2008-Jenah
Price: $10

Blue Scholars opened up for Hiero and ripped it. Performed songs from all three albums. Power to the people!

Then, Heiro and Souls of Mischief took the stage. Of course they performed 93 'til Infinity, Never More, Classic, You Never Know, Fantasy Island, etc.. LOVED LOVED LOVED IT! Only wished Goapele was on tour with them so they could perform "Make Your Move" or "Soweto."

The 2007 show, my vegas homies who are from Seattle, introduced the BF and I to Blue Scholars. We learned that they're cool, down to earth cats. The 2008 show, some of the Hiero folks and Blue Scholars invited us to kick it backstage/the VIP area, where it wasn't hot or sweaty, and with way more room than the pit. They're all cool cats. After chillin' and talking to Sabzi and Geo, Sabzi offered to sign my cds. Yes, I brought all of them to the concert. Groupie? Hell no! Fan? Hell fkn YEA!

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Jul 20, 2009

Kanye West Concert

Just when his second album, "Late Registration" reached the shelves, there was an announcement that he was going to have a concert in Hawaii. I was stoked. I knew I wanted to see him live, especially because at that time he never came to Hawaii to perform ... EVER! He was one my favorite artist at the time. And his "College Dropout" is still my favorite album to this day. Luckily, "Late Registration" was still just as good. So I couldn't turn down a once in a lifetime experience. OMG, it sure was quite an experience!

Event: Kanye West Concert
Date: April 9, 2006
Location: Honolulu, Hawaii
Status: general admission
Location in Crowd: 10th row from the stage
Companion: UH college buddies

I still remember... his violinist, a women dressed in all white, opened up for his show and she blew my mind more than Hurricane Katrina could. Being that I love live instruments woven into beats, she was icing to the cake throughout the entire show. Kanye made the crowd go wild!! His songs "Get 'Em High", "Spaceship", "All Falls Down", "Jesus Walks", "Touch The Sky", and "Golddigger" brought the muthafkn house down!! He also did a lil segment of mixes singing songs by James brown, Jackson 5, Michael Jackson, Slum Village, and more. It was fkn great! Hands shaped into diamonds filled the air, people off their seats and dancing, and the lyrics weren't unspoken!

It was one of the best concerts I've seen in Hawaii! Oh how I miss the old Kanye West!

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Jul 18, 2009

Pepper Concert

Hard Rock Hotel Pool (also known as the infamous "Rehab" on Sundays here in Vegas) hosted their 2nd Annual Pepper Concert. Thanks to Spy On Vegas, I got myself a free ticket to the concert! Yeeeeaaaahh!

Event: Pepper
Location: Las Vegas, NV - Hard Rock Hotel Poolside
Status: General admission turned VIP Cabana
Price: Free
Location in Crowd: Less then 15 ft. from band at eye level
Companion: JohnRoss & Pete

I'm a HUGE fan of Pepper! They are my favorite Reggae Rock band. For one reason, they're from originally Kailua-Kona, Hawaii! For the main reason ... they independently play good fkn music!

I was so excited to see them. Knowing they probably won't perform until 9pm that night, I made sure I was poolside no later than 7pm sharp. There were so many people! As the time ticked, I walked my way towards the front of the pit. Mind you I was suffering from stink, sticky-bodied, drunk people! It's a good thing my friend's a security guard and bumped us to the closest VIP cabana to the stage! And thank gawd I wasn't in the pit because once Pepper came on stage, it was chaotic. The mosh pit was beyond CRAZY! The show was GREAT not to mention all Pepper members were wearing nothing but their surf shorts and their instrument. Sweaty bodies on stage... hot? Oooowee,YES, esp. Kaleo!

They performed one of my favorite tracks of theirs ... "Crazy Love" from their 2006 "No Shame" album ... it was SO FKN AWESOME!!!

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Apr 25, 2009

Paid Dues Concert 2009

Murs in association with Guerilla Union entertained hungry heads with a great fkn concert! Paid Dues is strictly an Independent Hip-Hop Festival showing off artists who was NEVER on the radio nor was never signed to a major record label but gained the respect and appreciation from fans worldwide! It is true... there is GOOD music!

Event: Paid Dues 2009
Date: March 28, 2009
Location: San Bernardino, CA
Status: VIP
Location in Crowd: 3rd row from the stage
Host: 2Mex
Companion: the BF

We were so excited to see all of LIVING LEGENDS on stage. Their performance was EUPHORIC! It got me SO HIGH not because I was surrounded by numerous fans smokin' their blunts, but because it really turned their music into LIFE! Nothing compares to other fans singing lyrics and bobbing their hands to the beat. And this goes for all concerts! After the concert, buying shirts, getting autographs, and pictures with the artists, we didn't realized we were standing for a little more than 8 hours with no food or water! True fans, yes! Good Concert, HELL YEA!!