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(03/28/16 1:42am)
The Queen is back! Nearly four years later, since her last album Unapologetic, Rihanna has graced us yet again with an amazing album. Prior to releasing the new album ANTI, she announced the ANTI World Tour with Travi$ Scott in North America and Big Sean in Europe.
I got the wonderful opportunity of seeing her live when she performed in Cincinnati. Opening for the concert was Travi$ Scott with songs from his album Rodeo, like "3500." He also performed his features on tracks like "Upper Echelon," "Mamacita," and "Whole Lotta Lovin'." He saved the best for last with "Antidote," during which he jumped into the crowd and turned up with the fans, leaving the crowd revved up for Rihanna.
After a brief intermission during which the stage was set up, it was time for RiRi to stun the crowd. As soon as the lights went off, a giant background composed of mirrors caught everyone's attention. People began screaming as it lowered near the floor of the main stage. Little did we know that directly across from this distraction on the opposite end of the venue was a smaller raised platform with a mic in the spotlight. In a stylish outfit with a white hooded cloak draped over it, Rihanna made her way up the stairs of the platform and proceeded to open her show with "Stay." As her beautiful voice echoed through the arena, everyone began to join her by singing along. Meanwhile, I began to cry because I was finally in the presence of the artist I've looked up to my entire life.
As she was finishing her opening song, the music began to transition into "Woo," a song off her new album. As this played, she danced while a lifted bridge made its way toward her. She performed a couple songs from ANTI on the clear glass bridge as it slowly carried her above the crowd and onto the main stage. She removed her hooded cloak revealing a unique costume underneath with waist-high boots that were connected by a belt, and she greeted the audience. The best part was that she didn't jump straight into her new album, but instead began with several throwbacks for the day one fans. The crowd got hype from her hits "B*tch Better Have My Money," "Rude Boy," and "Umbrella."
"He want that cake, cake, cake, cake, cake, cake, cake."
After dancing to "Pour It Up" and a slower remixed version of "Birthday Cake," she did some other new ANTI songs: "Desperado," "Consideration," "Love on the Brain," "Same Ol' Mistakes." Of course, she did not leave out the song everyone was waiting for: "Work." As she performed it with her hypnotizing moves in a shimmering black bodysuit, we were secretly crossing our fingers, hoping the Drake would randomly appear out of nowhere like he did in Miami.
Besides the numerous successful songs of her own, she also made sure to include some of her best features: "Run this Town," "Love the Way You Lie," "Take Care," "Live Your Life," "All of the Lights." One of the concert's highlights was when one fan in the front row shouted to her that he could take the mic and sing for her. Rihanna's response was what made this moment memorable: "Listen to him trynna take my job and sh*t...Anyone else trynna steal my job from me?" Her effortless sense of humor and personality made me fall in love. Now THAT is an artist I'd love to be best friends with! She proceeded to sing "FourFiveSeconds," during which she shared the mic with the fan so he could sing along with her. Rih was shocked to discover he had an amazing voice too.
There was also a "party time" segment of the concert, featuring "We Found Love," "Where Have You Been," and "Diamonds." At this point, the stage set had transformed completely from what it was at the beginning of the show. There was a constant flow of foam falling from the ceiling in the back, along with giant, bubble-like decorations full of colorful lights on the stage. Eventually, it was time for the show to come to an end. Rihanna was almost in tears as she said, "I hate this part. I hate goodbyes. So I'm just gonna say it now and then do a few more songs. Is that cool?" So she resumed and ended with a heartfelt performance of her song "Kiss it Better." This happened to be one of my favorites off the new album so of course I was in tears.
"That Rihanna reign just won't let up."
After four breath-taking outfit changes and what seemed like hours of happiness & endless cheering, the concert was over. Fashion Killa, Caribbean Queen, Robyn Fenty. Rih will always be on top!
Rihanna Navy for life.
(03/06/16 6:32pm)
Weezy. Mr. Carter. Young Tunechi. Lil Wayne. Founder of Young Money Records, he has had several accomplishments as a Grammy award-winning artist including the fact that he is a respected rapper, entrepreneur, and not to mention skateboarding enthusiast. Today, people tend to only note his achievements of the past. Though this may not be a high point of his career, consider the artists that have signed to his record label: Nicki Minaj and Drake, two of his well-known protégés, have dominated in the world of hip-hop and rap. People worry for him now that he is not in the spotlight. Concerns have also been brought up with the possibility of him retiring after the release of his long-due Tha Carter V, but hopefully this is just a resting point for him. On the other hand, Collegrove, the collab album of 2 Chainz and Lil Wayne, is out now! As a way of personally thanking his supportive fans, Wayne went on the Dedication Tour to perform in the smaller cities he rarely visits.
On Thursday, March 3rd, Weezy gave IU a night to remember in Assembly Hall. To start things off, brothers Swae Lee (right) and Slim Jimmy (left) of Rae Sremmurd opened the show. They heated the stage with hits from their album Sremmlife including "Come Get Her," "No Type," and "Throw Sum Mo."
"Now where my real Lil Wayne fans at?"
Warming up with back-to-back hits, the crowd got hype as Lil Wayne played everyone's favorites including "6 Foot 7 Foot," "Rich as F*ck," and "Believe Me." He did throwbacks from old mixtapes and had a variety in song choice for his setlist. This was one setlist that no one could be disappointed with, because he pretty much covered it all.
"Who the best rapper alive?"
Wayne probably asked this question over 10 times throughout the concert, repeatedly claiming he "forgot" if he asked yet. It just served as a reminder of how much we all appreciate him. He had a fun way of engaging conversation with the crowd, entertaining everyone in between songs. During tracks like "Love Me," "Lollipop," and "Got Money," everyone went wild. However, Tunechi also slowed it down at times, including to his hit song "How to Love." The entire audience was singing along with him.
"Ain't no song without the 'F-E-A-T. Lil Wayne' after it!"
Weezy proved himself when he showed the crowd that as a solo or featured artist, he kills it. A majority of his verses on these tracks would almost make you forget that it wasn't his song: "HYFR," "Truffle Butter," "Pop That," "The Motto," "Only," "She Will," "Loyal," "I'm Going In," "I'm On One."
"I. Ain't. Shit. Without. You."
Wayne preached this throughout the concert and got the crowd to say it along with him. As he looked around the venue, he couldn't help but show his contagiously charming smile, with the lights shimmering his grills. It gave everyone a genuine feeling knowing that he really was doing this for the fans. This one final time, he showed the true purpose of the Dedication Tour, and then proceeded to surprise the crowd with "A Milli" and "No Worries." During the whole show, everyone was in Wayne's World.
In other words: People have, do, and always will love a timeless artist like Weezy.
(02/11/16 5:11pm)
“Now everybody love Kanye, I’m almost Raymond.” - “Last Call”, College Dropout
Kanye West is THE Greatest of All Time. If you didn’t know, now you know. Here are 5 reasons why:
1. No one has ever made cockiness look so good.
“Some say he arrogant. Can y’all blame him?”
There’s nothing wrong with bragging about being awesome...if Kanye does it. This man has the ability to gain the attention of millions of people effortlessly. Some may get a good laugh out of it, but a large aspect of what makes him such a prominent figure is his entertaining personality.
2. There’s no such thing as boring when it comes to Ye.
“Hurry up with my damn croissants!”
Kanye is constantly switching it up. Each album is completely different from the last, which is why the hype is real for what he has in store for us next.
Speaking of unpredictable and spontaneous, remember when…
3. A fashion icon who knows how to dress AND impress.
“Look at this peacoat, tell me he’s broke!”
Of course Ye can’t be famous for just his music. Pictured above with Kanye and Rocky is a new face, Ian Connor (left). Ian is Kanye’s head creative consultant. Along with A$AP ROCKY (aka the Fashion Killa), Kanye’s one of the only artists to consistently make a fashion statement in the music industry. Who doesn’t want a pair of Yeezy Boosts! He recently announced his next season will be focused only on kid’s clothing. YEEZY SEASON INFINITY.
4. Sampling Mastermind.
“Uh huh, honey.”
One of most contributing factors to the genius in Kanye is his history of sampling in music. From The College Dropout to Watch the Throne to Yeezus, he has been able to recreate samples in brilliant and innovate ways with his creativity, or Kanyetivity.
5. The definition of $UCCE$$
“Do it better than anybody you ever seen do it.”
As if conquering the world isn’t enough, Mr. West is never satisfied. Music and fashion, an artist fluent in multiple arts. Who knows what challenge he’ll take on next? Any man who can recover from the biggest twitter feud in history is a man who deserves respect. They say “hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard” but when you put the two together you get Kanye West. YEEZY TAUGHT US WELL.