I know it's been a while since I've shared any of my experiences. Life happens! School, work and everything has kept me from documenting my time here like I've wanted to. But I'll try to do a little better. I'll start by sharing the AMAZING night I had last night...
When I received a promotional email last month letting me that Common--one of my FAVORITE rappers--was coming HOME to do a benefit concert, I knew there was no way I wasn't going. I've heard that Common is very active in his hometown of Chicago, hence why he was doing a benefit concert for his foundation the Common Ground Foundation. I checked to see WHERE the concert would be (unfortunately, I have to base a lot of my decisions on what part of Chicago an event takes place in). River North? House of Blues? I'm in!
The original flyer said that there would be "special guests" but didn't say who....
You know me. I figured that these special guests could be anybody! We're in the Chi? Kanye West has to be there. R. Kelly. Donnell Jones. Every rapper or R&B singer hailing from Chicago was sure to be in the building. After all, it's for charity, right?
Okay, so none of the aforementioned were present last night, but it didn't even matter. The emcees for the night were comedian Damon Williams and Tony Sculfield, a local DJ. The two were HILARIOUS. They were making jokes about the audience ("The concert ain't have NO dresscode. They got Mexicans in here dressed like they going to a quincienera with them big poofy prom dresses." "Shout out to the girls in here wearing weaves AND hats. Don't ya'll know? A weave IS a hat. Ya'll scalp gon' get musty.") They kept the crowd entertained between sets with their comedy and by testing the audience's knowledge of classic hip-hop tracks.
The show opened with a very talented violinist. I forgot his name, but he referred to himself as the "Soul Violinist." He had skills. He performed his interpretations of R&B, pop, and hip-hop hits such as "Diamonds" by Rhianna and "Un-thinkable (I'm Ready)" by Alicia Keys.
Next to the stage was a Chicago rapper by the name of...umm....well, he didn't really make an impression on me. I think his name was King Louie? Not too many people in the crowd seemed to be feeling him and his hype man. Oh, except for the rowdy/ drunk group of girls from the West side who were dropping and popping next to me.
Ludacris (Luda!) was the first well-known artist to hit the stage. His set included 4 or 5 of his well-known hits (including "Move B..." twice. Yes, he opened the set with that song and closed the set with it). Keep in mind I was standing in the standing room only section. I was toward the front of the stage. And did I mention the West side chicks next to me? When that song came on, I was sure I was going to get trampled. I'm writing this from my apartment and not the hospital, so everything worked out fine. Luda's set was fun but nothing special. One item I'd like to note is that he mentioned he was currently filming Fast and Furious 7 in Atlanta and he dropped everything he was doing to come out Chicago to be a part of this concert. That was great to hear. I appreciate that, Luda! Oh, and his mom was in the audience. How cute.
Okay, on to the good part. So Common was the final act. He came on stage jumping and kicking and bouncing and screaming...FULL OF ENERGY. He was drenched in sweat by the 2nd song. I think I only saw him take one gulp of water the whole night. The man was hyped. He was in his hometown. The crowd loved him and he felt the love. I won't give the blow by blow, but just suffice it to say that the man put on an excellent show. He incorporated 2 freestyles in his set, and in each freestyle, he made sure to mention certain Chicago streets, neighborhoods, highways, etc. I felt really good because I actually understood all of the references. I guess I'm getting acclimated. It's worth noting that he reminded us that we were here to support his foundation, the Common Ground Foundation. He spoke about the shocking murder rate in Chicago and how the youth of the city need our help more than ever. He encouraged us to let our light shine because we were all put here on this earth for a reason. The brother is a real dude, and he made me feel like I could conquer the world. Oh and side note, he had 3 wardrobe changes. The last T-shirt he wore read "Black on Black Love." Loved it.
I appreciate Common and all that he does to give back to his community. It reminds me that as a college-educated black woman with a certain amount of time and resources, it is my DUTY and obligation to give back in some way. And I plan on doing that. Chicago is a city rich with history and culture. I can now check one more item off of my Chicago bucket list...
See Common perform in his hometown? Check!
When I received a promotional email last month letting me that Common--one of my FAVORITE rappers--was coming HOME to do a benefit concert, I knew there was no way I wasn't going. I've heard that Common is very active in his hometown of Chicago, hence why he was doing a benefit concert for his foundation the Common Ground Foundation. I checked to see WHERE the concert would be (unfortunately, I have to base a lot of my decisions on what part of Chicago an event takes place in). River North? House of Blues? I'm in!
The original flyer said that there would be "special guests" but didn't say who....
You know me. I figured that these special guests could be anybody! We're in the Chi? Kanye West has to be there. R. Kelly. Donnell Jones. Every rapper or R&B singer hailing from Chicago was sure to be in the building. After all, it's for charity, right?
Okay, so none of the aforementioned were present last night, but it didn't even matter. The emcees for the night were comedian Damon Williams and Tony Sculfield, a local DJ. The two were HILARIOUS. They were making jokes about the audience ("The concert ain't have NO dresscode. They got Mexicans in here dressed like they going to a quincienera with them big poofy prom dresses." "Shout out to the girls in here wearing weaves AND hats. Don't ya'll know? A weave IS a hat. Ya'll scalp gon' get musty.") They kept the crowd entertained between sets with their comedy and by testing the audience's knowledge of classic hip-hop tracks.
The show opened with a very talented violinist. I forgot his name, but he referred to himself as the "Soul Violinist." He had skills. He performed his interpretations of R&B, pop, and hip-hop hits such as "Diamonds" by Rhianna and "Un-thinkable (I'm Ready)" by Alicia Keys.
Next to the stage was a Chicago rapper by the name of...umm....well, he didn't really make an impression on me. I think his name was King Louie? Not too many people in the crowd seemed to be feeling him and his hype man. Oh, except for the rowdy/ drunk group of girls from the West side who were dropping and popping next to me.
Ludacris (Luda!) was the first well-known artist to hit the stage. His set included 4 or 5 of his well-known hits (including "Move B..." twice. Yes, he opened the set with that song and closed the set with it). Keep in mind I was standing in the standing room only section. I was toward the front of the stage. And did I mention the West side chicks next to me? When that song came on, I was sure I was going to get trampled. I'm writing this from my apartment and not the hospital, so everything worked out fine. Luda's set was fun but nothing special. One item I'd like to note is that he mentioned he was currently filming Fast and Furious 7 in Atlanta and he dropped everything he was doing to come out Chicago to be a part of this concert. That was great to hear. I appreciate that, Luda! Oh, and his mom was in the audience. How cute.
Okay, on to the good part. So Common was the final act. He came on stage jumping and kicking and bouncing and screaming...FULL OF ENERGY. He was drenched in sweat by the 2nd song. I think I only saw him take one gulp of water the whole night. The man was hyped. He was in his hometown. The crowd loved him and he felt the love. I won't give the blow by blow, but just suffice it to say that the man put on an excellent show. He incorporated 2 freestyles in his set, and in each freestyle, he made sure to mention certain Chicago streets, neighborhoods, highways, etc. I felt really good because I actually understood all of the references. I guess I'm getting acclimated. It's worth noting that he reminded us that we were here to support his foundation, the Common Ground Foundation. He spoke about the shocking murder rate in Chicago and how the youth of the city need our help more than ever. He encouraged us to let our light shine because we were all put here on this earth for a reason. The brother is a real dude, and he made me feel like I could conquer the world. Oh and side note, he had 3 wardrobe changes. The last T-shirt he wore read "Black on Black Love." Loved it.
I appreciate Common and all that he does to give back to his community. It reminds me that as a college-educated black woman with a certain amount of time and resources, it is my DUTY and obligation to give back in some way. And I plan on doing that. Chicago is a city rich with history and culture. I can now check one more item off of my Chicago bucket list...
See Common perform in his hometown? Check!
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