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| Tradventuring with Justine! |
So when my friend asked me to go the Power 106 Cali Christmas concert with her...I nearly peed my pants with excitement! This was the line up: Ice Cube, Chris Brown, Pitbull, Rick Ross, Waka Flocka, Far East Movement, New Boyz, and YG. Special guests were Too Short, and E-40. If none of these names sound familiar to you then you can stop reading and continue your google search for travel deals.
But if you do know these guys, then you know as a hip hop fan how excited I was to go! I was really looking forward to seeing Ice Cube in particular...as he was a founding member of NWA (see cheerleading bit above). My friend Justine and I got to our seats just as YG was taking the stage. And the layer of smoke was so thick in the air, you could see it floating in the lights. People next to us were lighting up blunts and pipes like they were in they grandmama's living room! Anyway, YG is mostly known for their hit "Toot it and Boot it." Yes. It means just what it sounds like it means. They only sang 2 songs...one no one new..then the Toot it number.
I should point out, this is the second year in a row I've been to Cali Christmas. And I love the way this show is produced. The newer, lesser known artists come out first. Do a couple of their numbers, including whatever hit they have out, then in a explosion of sound, they are done. Literally, every artist is transitioned off the stage with an explosion sound effect. Or gun fire...which always makes me laugh. Nothing says rap like the sound of an AK47 assault rifle. So YG wrapped up, and minutes later New Boyz hit the stage. They sing the Jerk song. Nothing too memorable here. Same with Waka Flocka. But I was really surprised with the performance of Far East Movement.
This group came out wearing techno-robot heads. Right away you knew this wasn't a typical rap set. This group is heavily based in the new techno-dance music that's very popular right now. They kicked it off with their song "Girls on the dance floor.". Awesome number and really pumped up the crowd. They are mostly known for "Like a G6". And actually, this is my least favorite of their songs. Plus there was this random girl on stage. We couldn't figure out if she was supposed to be singing...or just there for eye candy. Either way she seemed uninterested to be there and was completely unnecessary. But they really kicked it up a notch with their song "Go Ape". Wow. Just listen to it. You will love it's dancy beats and the cursing.
Next up, Too Short and E-40. Old school rap at it's finest. Then, Pitbull. It's one thing to hear his music on the radio. You think, eh, this is fun, dancy music. But what's so different about him than any other dance hip hop artist? Answer: His live performance. He is an incredible live performer. So much energy, and songs that get the crowd on their feet. And he was the only performer to have a live band back him up. He moved through his hits-and there are many-so quickly that it left me wanting more. His stage presence is undeniable. Pitbull comes out in an Armani-type suit, with a sexy Latin swagger that makes you sit up and take notice. And whether you think he's attractive or not, you will once you see him live. By far one of the best performances of the night.
And Chris Brown. I was curious to see how the crowd would react, given his past drama with Rihanna. But they loved him! Cheering just as loud for him as the other artist. So I guess he's forgiven, and we dance on. Speaking of dance, he was incredible! I had no idea Chris Brown was such a gifted dancer! He put on a full show with backup dancers, themes, and my favorite...the sexy chair dance. He pulled a girl up from the audience, and did things to her in a chair that would make a stripper blush. His singing was a little warbly though. He said he was sick, and maybe that's why. But I could have just watched him dance to his back-up vocal tracks and been just as happy.
Then the man of the hour came out. Chills went down my spine as it began with Cube's signature, "Yay Yay!" To which the crowd responded, "Yay Yay!". Awesome. Cube built up his own entrance from offstage, while the theme song from "Shaft" played. When he made his appearance, it was like all my childhood gangsta dreams had come true! There he was. Hardcore as I remembered. Ice Mutha Fuckin Cube! Sure he was a little older, and thicker, but damn. He could rap! His deep, rugged, vocals sounded exactly the same as they did 20 years ago. He played tracks from his new album "I am the West." And during his entire set...he made us say "West Side" over and over again. Just in case we didn't know what he was representin. But then he brought the house down. "It was a good day" . This song is on my ipod and I love as much now as I did when it first came out. And to hear Ice Cube perform it live, was a moment I'll never forget. His set was tight. He sounded amazing. He lived up to his legend.
To recap: Found a new band I love in FEM (have already bought their album on iTunes). Pitbull makes me love live Latin dance music. And a legend lives on in Ice Cube. The Cali Christmas producers kept this show moving by only having artist play their hits, quick set changes in between, and an awesome DJ who kept the crowd entertained during changes. The only drawback to the entire event was, at times the audio was so loud in the Gibson, that it distorted the music. There's loud kids, then there's deafening. Eh, or maybe I'm just getting old.
I will definitely go again next year. Meantime I have to find some other way to get high.
Happy Tradventuring!
Heather
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