4TheLove Fest was a huge success. However, it carried a different meaning for numerous people.
For Iman, it meant end of summer, and (selfish for me to add) no more Woody in NYC. For Fuzzy G, and Co. it meant another chance to show the world, and whoever else would listen, their great, unique sound. They got an extra 50 minutes to live on stage, where Fuz, D.A.M. the DJ, and Chooky, would all live 24/7, if possible. For my friends, it meant an extra trip to NYC and a gnarly dope time partying with everyone else who had made the journey, (mad love you guys). For my mom, it meant yet another time to tell me, she’s so proud of me, regardless of if I actually deserved it or not. For the guys at Don Hills, Don included, it meant some added customers, and added tips. But for me, the 1st ever 4TheLove-Music Fest meant the world. I had an idea, I worked my ass off in every way possible to turn that idea into something concrete. I did it. And it was spectacular.
As Iman previously wrote, the first three acts, (including comedian Meghan Hanley) were awesome. Fuzzy G’s set was one of the best I have ever seen/heard them bust out.
Where Iman left off, I’ll pick up. After Fuzzy’s great set, Pants Velour came to the stage. Consisting of, a gorgeous, beautifully voiced singer, a hype rapper, drummer, bassist, guitar player, and keyboardist, Pants Velour came to play, as they always do. I saw them at a showcase in Alphabet City early in the summer and was not too impressed, however with assurance from my friend/their manager Ross, they were ready for a second chance. And one I’m glad I took, b/c they picked up right where Fuzzy G left off, high energy, involved with the crowd, and followed with a rockin set.
Emcee, Josh Raff, is ever so comfortable on stage and plays well off singer, Niki Darling, who has some attitude about her, its sexxy but scary and you can sense it from off stage. Something you wouldn’t want to be in any sort of conflict against, lucky she’s on our side.
Now midway through this set is when problems started to arise for me. One of my rappers set to perform after PV, ID Vicious, shows up a bit early, which I was happy about, but was not able to get into Don Hills, which I obviously was not happy about.
“I’m only 20, dog.” My face dropped. That had never crossed my mind.
“I’ll fix it,” I told him with complete confidence.
I worked it out with the management; he would wait outside, come in, spit some hot fire, then dipset. He agreed.
But after about an hour of waiting outside, a little rain, he got impatient and went home, and I don’t blame him for a second. My bad ID, I owe you one bro.
Ok, so next we have, E.Q. a talented rapper from Long Island City, good lyricist, I really like the beats he chooses to flow over. He started in the game producing and audio engineering, but decided to take to his own music for a try, everything clicked. Since then he has worked with the likes of Joe Budden and Joell Ortiz, among others.
But I was wrong again, Why G and the XYZ’s had arrived a while ago, each of their 7 members coming from a different part of the city. Guess what? Their drummer was 19 and couldn’t get in either. GREAT!!! FUCCKK!! They were pissed off, mainly at me, again I don’t blame them. However, last weekend they played in a backyard in BK, this weekend I had gotten them a nice Saturday night slot at Don Hills.
After much a hassle, I got same deal for them to wait outside, hit the stage, play like no tomorrow, and scram, which i obviously felt bad about. But shit happens. You gotta go with the flow, adapt, Darwin.
I had Why G and the XYZ’s switch and go before E.Q., which he wasn’t happy about but shit happens. You gotta go with the flow, adapt, Darwin.
Many pissed off people later, Why G and the letters were on stage. Even through all the adversity we had been dealing with all night regarding these guys, some harsh words, some fists thrown at phone booths, some loud screams, these same guys were in a new world. All the negatively was gone, all the bad vibes, all the anger, gone.
Why G grabbed his mic, and lead his band through a great, solid set. My boy, Primo, shredding his guitar, with his Hendrix-esque hair/all around feel, did a more than great job. Rocked through the whole set, and pulled out some face melting solos.
The under aged drummer is a decent drummer, but when he get on the mic, he’s not afraid to bust a freestyle, just for kicks. Including, all the bs that went along with having this band play, I couldn’t have been happier with their performance, and ho
pe to hear/work with them again.
pe to hear/work with them again.
Last but certainly not least, E.Q. and pal Felipe, took the stage. Cycling through his set, with non-stop high energy, ( as you can see in pic) despite the late time, and solid delivery on every song. He single handily hammered the last inch of nail down, which would end a miraculous night of music, and an overall wonderful event, ( if I do say so myself).
Danny Camacho, ventured onstage for a 10 minute set of stand-up afterwards, to my regret, there were not as many people left at Don Hills at that time, a bit after 3am. He was actually very funny, could have been the shots of patron that were bought for me, but I’m pretty sure it was his routine.
To Beau Stanton, it meant a chance to show off his superb art skills, and hopefully to sell some to add to his Burning Man Festival pot. To Danny Camacho, it meant a new crowd to show off his routine to. To the drummer from XYZs it meant a chance to play at a kickass show, despite his young age, and a lesson of how the business works. To me this show was only one small baby step, the next will be 4TheLove Fest-Wilmington coming soon.. feat Shinobi Ninjas, Fuzzy G, plus more.