12/28/2012 - When first entering the concert hall I couldn’t help but notice Kanye's notorious 7 screen experience overtaking the stage we've been hearing about since Cruel Summer's premiere in Cannes. The stage was enormous shrinking Kanye's stage presences; I had never seen such a set-up before. I knew instantaneously that Mr. West was going to blow the crowd’s mind with his performance that night. I sat in my seat and within minutes the lights dimmed and the show commenced. The screens illuminated and all lined up perfectly projecting numerous landscapes with a lot of focus on winter, I assume because of Kanye's highly anticipated upcoming album, "Cruel Winter."
Kanye West performing Runaway
Surreal gentle waves of a lake surrounded by snowcapped mountains with flocks of birds and dashes of ice bergs so vivid and to scale you actually felt like he was dancing on ice bergs. The bass in all the tracks vibrated like an earthquake throughout Revel's Ovation Room, beginning with the vocals of a revamped version of the 80’s hit, “Cold As Ice” by The Foreigners. Kanye entered the stage jumping up from behind his slanted stage floor which also had graphics displayed. The tension felt throughout the audience was a sheer mix of anxiousness and excitement. Once visible, a wave of camera phones sprouted to capture memories of DJ Khaled’s voice echoing as he introduced “KANYE WEST,” and "Cold as Ice" faded into the single, “Cold (Theraflu). “
Kanye West performing Cold
He continued with his performance with mega hits like “I Don’t Like,” "Touch the Sky," "Gold Digger," "Birthday Song," “Power,” “Jesus Walks,” and many others. A lot of artists perform the same old songs over and over again, with Kanye you get a perfect mixture between new and old and basically whatever he feels like doing for that event. Each song relaying a different panorama views such as glaciers, and island, and the clouds. The most incredible moment was The Louie Vuitton Don’s rendition of “Heartless.” The stage was illuminated as forest of giant evergreens swaying in an intense snow blizzard. The scene came to life as paper snowflakes were blown around the audience from the ceiling. Kanye livened up the concert by sporadically returning to the stage in various adorned masks. One being made from white feathers resembling the phoenix in his film "Runaway" and the other being completely crystallized in diamonds.
After the performance came to conclusion of course the crowd wanted an encore. So Konman stormed the stage ending a far beyond phenomenal with the epic "College Dropout" single "All Falls Down." Overall, the concert was one to never be forgotten. Definitely worth the combined four-hour road trip down to Atlantic City and back to New York. After the concert I heard quite a few attendees jabbering about no surprise guests, this was one of three solo performances in the USA, next time read the event information before you purchase tickets. In the following performances in Atlantic City Kanye announced he is having a child with girlfriend Kim Khardashian. 10 out of 10. This just leaves me with one question to ask, “AHHHHHH, YEEZY YEEZY HOW YOU DO IT HUH?!”
10/27/2012 - Major Lazer is a collective of modern day rockstars. The Jillionaire, Walshy Fire, and Diplo will go down in history next to David Lee Roth, Ozzy Osbourne, Jimi Hendrix, and Kurt Cobaine for what they have done with their music. 1OAK was jam packed with all different kinds of ghouls and goblins this past Halloween weekend. Not to mention a mob outside the door big enough to fill the place three times over and enough liquor to flood the place like Sandy did to New York subways. Plain and simple; if you weren't at Terminal 5 or 1OAK (at least one of them) in New York City this past Friday you are a complete and utter fool and missed out on two of the best events this weekend, maybe even this year. The entire Major Lazer crew including the productions newest dancers did their thing on em until early Sunday morning. Dropping bombs like Paul Tibbets; playing some of the hottest tracks from right now, back then, and probably next year as well.
I could identify tracks like Clique by Kanye West featuring Big Sean and Jay Z, Stay Schemin by Rick Ross featuring Drake and French Montana, Break Ya Neck by Busta Rhymes, Birthday Cake by Rihanna, Did It On Em by Nicki Minaj, and Pon De Floor by yours truly, Major Lazer, but Diplo's phenomenally intricate mixing style made it pretty difficult to tell which was what. One big mixed up "M-M-MAJALAZA!" soundtrack. The bass was thumping (glad I had some ear plugs or I probably still wouldn't be able to hear) and every got extra rowdy for Halloween. The most eclectic set of all times (of course, its Major Lazer). Now a days, everyone is a music journalist, they all have their secret blogs to get the newest coolest material to bump while they do what they do. The performance had a little of everything; rap, raggae, moombahton, dub step, house, and some crazy crazy stuff I can't even put a genre on. With Major Lazer, you get everything. Taking the EDM culture far beyond anyone else's abilities and just being different. I knew there were going to be AT LEAST a few amazing songs I would never be able to find so I whipped on my iPhone and snagged a ten minute clip of their performance. Truly a one of a kind performance, no pun intended. Take a look at the clip and an even closer look to 2:02. Walshy Fire is MC'ing it up. I tried to do some investigating to figure out what the banger was but came up stumped. In my opinion, the track sounds kinda like Original Don, so I have a feeling it's something coming from the Major Lazer camp. We will have to wait and see…that ish cranks though!
On July 6th and July 7th Atlantic City is going to be granted the presence of the greatest rapper in the game. Kanye West will be taking over the Ovation Hall at Revel Resorts. Saying this is going to be the best show ever is like me telling you the Sun is hot. It's blatantly obvious. Kanye West just ended his Europe "Watch The Throne" tour with Jay-Z less then a week ago and with barely any downtime, he is right back at it. Not only one date, but two. Just goes to show you that Kanye West really does care about his fan and wants as many as he can possibly get to see this show. This is Yeezy's first US solo appearance since Coachella 2011 and his first solo show in Atlantic City EVER. Select seats are still available and I would grab those in a split second if I was you.
06/09/2012 - One of the best features summer has to offer is how long it stays bright out and how much more you enjoy yourself at a day party. Like clockwork, Benny Benassi & Friends made their way to Governors Island for what looks like an up and coming NYC summer tradition. I arrived on the island in the mists of Bingo Players dropping their legendary "Rattle" and of course, like any other concert goer… made a beeline to center stage! With a slight overcast throughout the day it prevented the venue from overheating along with a magnificent sunset and beautiful illuminated view of Manhattan's skyline. Bingo Players did their thing warming up the decks for colleague Hardwell like true champions with a plethora of their own bangers.
Hardwell took to the stage at what most people would consider the epitome of a sundown set. With the entire establishment already in party mode from Bingo Players amazing performance, Hardwell kicked it into gear and raised the roof. The entire tent was bathing in sunlight rocking to an unorthodox versatile set Hardwell is known for. Keeping ragers on their toes the entire time and featuring my man, Yeezy, in a fresh new bootleg.
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Finally, the overlord of EDM; Benny Benassi took to his throne. With the crowd roaring out of control before he even powers up his CDJs… Benny throws his hands up in the air to pump up the party and gets right to work. Bass… and lots of it. I've seen Benny Benassi three times this year and not once has his set been even slightly similar to what he gave the crowd last Saturday. Switching it up with all different sorts of mixes and edits flowing Laidback Luke edits into Skrillex edits along with unreleased material and loads of great selections… with Benny displaying his signature happy as can be smile the entire time. The man clearly loves what he does and thats a huge reason why he is so successful. It's not work if you love doing it. These great artists really did bring the soiree to Governors Island and started my summer off amazing with this beach party. And to top it off… they were serving an ill choice of beer; Magic Hat. 10 out of 10.
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Feel So Close (Benny Benassi Remix) by Calvin Harris
