Showing posts with label Benefit. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Benefit. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Busta Rhymes Live In The OC
via OC Weekly
Nytehype and Sullen Clothing presented Busta Rhymes last night at Flight in Huntington Beach for a free show to benefit the Red Cross’ relief for Haiti. Thousands of dollars were raised at the door for the free show that featured the hip-hop artist. The quick 30-minute show included Arab Money, Pass the Pass the Courvoisier, and Whoa, setting the capacity crowd on fire. Power 106’s DJ Reflex DJ’d for his set. OC’s own DJ Boogie threw down beats to warm out the crowd throughout the night.
Photos from Busta's Orange County performance here:
OC Weekly
(video courtesy of Jroclover)
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Jim Jones & Julez Santana Haitian Relief XXL Magazine Benefit Concert Recap
photo courtesy of Jon Caranaica / New York Times
via New York Times
“Forever Harlem” by Juelz Santana, Jim Jones and the singer Tobb Cobain — a remake of “Forever,” last year’s song by Drake, Kanye West, Lil Wayne and Eminem — is the rare mixtape version of “Forever” that challenges the original in audacity.
Tuesday night (February 9) at the Studio at Webster Hall, both Mr. Jones and Mr. Santana were performing, though the amiable show didn’t pick up until the music dropped out altogether, and Mr. Santana, cocky, delivered his “Forever Harlem” verse a cappella:
This is my movie, you an extra/B-roll
Your girl insist I got a very big/Ego
I’m here to take the game from these lames/Deebo
And I got chips, cheese/Doritos
There were other words rhymed too — kilos, Speedos, cee-lo, repo’d — each one delivered like a haymaker. When Mr. Santana was younger, a protégé of the flamboyant technical rapper Cam’ron, his exclamatory style came off as a sort of rap Tourette’s, barking that was awkward and difficult to control.
But in the last year, especially, he’s polished the idiosyncratic style to high gloss, in turn becoming a rapper approaching his moment of greatness. He’s still struggling to form an identity of his own — most of his hits have come with other people, either alongside Cam’ron (from whom he’s now estranged) or Mr. Jones, or with R&B singers, like the recent “Back to the Crib” with Chris Brown.
At Tuesday’s concert — a benefit for the American Red Cross, sponsored by the hip-hop magazine XXL (Styles P also performed) — he was in top form, arrogantly charismatic and effortlessly intricate. Mr. Jones, who performed before him, then split once they did their handful of collaborations, was, as ever, convivial, sauntering through hits in mushmouth fashion: “Na Na NaNa Na Na,” “Plenty Money (remix),” “Baby Girl.”
He didn’t mumble on “Forever Harlem,” though. “I’m a vampire, True Blood like Sookie,” Mr. Jones rapped, nestling a gang shout-out in the middle of his TV show name-drop. “We turn the whole situation ugly/Whoopi.”
Even though Mr. Jones has been the more successful of the two men, Mr. Santana, in his ascendance, was far more entrancing to watch. Surrounded by a cluster of hype men and hangers-on — the best one shrouded in a do rag, Haiti bandana and Gucci ski goggles combination — he was a small glimpse of what might yet be to come.
As if to prove the point, he was joined toward the end of his set by the 50 Cent protégé Lloyd Banks. Seven years ago Mr. Banks was to 50 Cent what Mr. Santana was to Cam’ron: a punch-line-happy sidekick who motivated street loyalists even as the boss went off on flights of fancy. But Mr. Banks lacked Mr. Santana’s natural charm, never appearing to be more than a glorified infantryman. He’s still affiliated with 50 Cent’s G-Unit Records but no longer signed to its distributor, Interscope — a gruff MC settling back into semi-obscurity.
Last week he released a new song with Mr. Santana, the sinister “Beamer, Benz or Bentley.” Here his verse was delivered in his characteristic raspy groan, dexterous but depressive. But when Mr. Santana dived in for his verse — “Making movies, Tom Cruisin’/If it’s action, then I’m shooting” — he sounded sharp and eager, as if he were gingerly stepping over Mr. Banks and continuing to climb.
(video courtesy of jaood10, This Is 50)
more fan shot footage below
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Mary J. Blige and Wyclef Jean At Hope Help & Relief Haiti Benefit In NYC
via ITN
Mary J. Blige, Wyclef Jean and Whoopi Goldberg were getting behind a fundraising event for Haiti (Monday, February 8) in New York.
"Hope Help & Relief Haiti" was put together by fashion designer Donna Karan and her Urban Zen Foundation.
The evening was designed as a "Night of Humanity" including a live performance by Blige, an address by Jean and an auction conducted by Goldberg.
The immediate goal of the fundraiser was to provide up to 50,000 tents for homeless families in Haiti. But Karan said the idea was not to limit the effort to just one night but to use it as a launch for a series of events, with the long term goal of helping re-build a permanent, sustainable community in Haiti.
Even as earthquake relief efforts are underway in Haiti, celebrities continue to remind us that support is still needed.
To learn more visit:
Yele
Urban Zen
FFAWN
Photos from the red carpet and event:
Getty Images
Corbis Images
Film Magic
Wire Image
Patrick McMullan
Rex Features
Globe Photos 1
Globe Photos 2
WENN Photo
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Nipsey Hussle On His Participation Of 'We Are The World' Recording Session For Haiti Releif
via XXL
XXLMag.com: What was it like working on a record like “We Are the World?”
Nipsey Hussle: It was kind of like crazy to see so many world-renowned celebrities and established artists in the same studio. I ain’t never been a part of something that big. Obviously for the cause, it was for the redevelopment of Haiti, which is a cause that I believe in and everybody that was a part of it believed in. So it was big to be involved and for them to think of me when they called the artists up, being an artist that hasn’t dropped an album yet, and really just building a buzz on a street level, I was honored and humbled by them even including me in it. And like I said to just seen so many different artists from different genres of music, like Quincy Jones, Lionel Ritchie, down to Lil Wayne, myself, Kid Cudi, Drake, Trey Songz, Wyclef, LL Cool J, Jamie Foxx, Snoop Dogg… I couldn’t quite grasp it for a minute, like, “Wow, this is huge,” but the cause it was for it just goes to show that people are just in touch with the struggle, like nobody is too big for their britches to devote some of their time to something that it is in light of a tragedy on the other side of the world.
XXLMag.com: What was the vibe like in the studio?
Nipsey Hussle: The best word I can describe it was just “epic.” You know obviously 25 years ago [when] they did the original “We Are the World,” I was a little kid for that. I’m 24 right now, so I wasn’t even born for that but Quincy Jones was producing the session so he was behind the board, listening to the tapes, telling niggas, “Nah, go back in, do it again,” so we got a chance to do a record produced by Quincy Jones, that was big… You seen artists like LL Cool J and Jamie Foxx who had a little disagreement in the past, get together on the same record and do they thing. It was just like you would never see this many artists collab on a track, just naturally, so you felt like you was being a part of history just being in there. And like I said, with me being a new artist who ain’t droped a new album yet, being in such good company I just felt honored. I just wanted to show up and do what I do.
XXLMag.com: Did you get to chop it up with any of the other artists, like Wayne, Kanye and Quincy? Or was it all business in the studio?
Nipsey Hussle: Yeah, I hollered at Quincy for a minute because you know me and (Quincy's son) QD3 is real good friends and he produced a record on my project that we gonna keep for the album. Besides from Quincy and anybody that I was a fan of they music or I was big on they work, I just reached out and touched ’em, and hollered at ’em and 90 percent of them were like, “Yeah, man, we know what you do, you killin’ them, keep doin your thing.” I hollered at Kanye, I hollered at Swizz, me and Wyclef is real cool, we did records together. I didn’t get a chance to holler at Wayne, though. I hollered at his manager and he was like, “Yeah, man, Wayne is real big on your shit” and you know me and Drake did a record before so we just chopped it for a lil’ bit. Snoop my homeboy so we was in there… A lil’ bit of everybody. The girl from the Pussycat Dolls (Nicole Scherzinger), I got to chop it with her, she was real cool.
Read the full interview here:
XXL - Nipsey Hussle, The Making of “We Are the World 2010″
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
We Are The World Brings Out Top Talent For Haiti Relief
via the Los Angeles Times
Twenty-five years after the all-star recording of "We Are the World" became a signature moment in celebrity altruism and pop-music history, a new collective of stars came together Monday at the same Hollywood recording studio to record a new version for Haiti earthquake relief.
Just as Michael Jackson, Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan descended on the A&M Studios on La Brea to sing for famine relief in Africa, Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Kanye West and Keith Urban turned up at the same soundstage (now called Henson Recording Studios) to join an all-star chorus that was 100 voices strong.
The 1985 effort, called USA for Africa, raised $63 million and became a template for famous-face fundraising. The new single will premiere Feb. 12 on NBC during the opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympics with the hope that the download single can help funnel aid into the ravaged island nation.
The anniversary project had been quietly planned for months and was scheduled for the day after the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards to maximize celebrity availability. The plan veered sharply, though, after the Jan. 12 temblor in Haiti: Instead of more relief for Africa, the organizers switched gears and turned their cause to the Caribbean.
The scene on Monday, like the original session, was a fascinating mix of star confluence.
Where else would 83-year-old Tony Bennett sing in unison with 15-year-old Justin Bieber? Emphasizing the cross-generational representation, the choir featured two Beach Boys (Brian Wilson and Al Jardine) and three Jonas Brothers (Nick, Joe and Kevin).
Some newly minted stars, such as Zac Brown, whose band won the best new artist Grammy on Sunday, seemed a bit wide-eyed to be milling in the sweltering recording room with the likes of Carlos Santana, who recorded a searing guitar solo for the single early in the six-hour session.
"It's like standing in the classic records section at the Turtles music store looking at all the covers," Brown said. "It's ridiculous and it's wonderful and for a good cause."
Other performers included Pink, Jeff Bridges, Vince Vaughn, Usher, Akon, T-Pain, Lil Wayne, Toni Braxton, Snoop Dogg and Josh Groban.
Read the full article here:
L.A. Times - An all-star 'We Are the World' remake for Haiti relief
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Wale: Backstage Interview From Hands For Haiti Benefit Show At Howard University
A Wale backstage interview at the Hands for Haiti benefit concert at Howard University Thursday, January 21.
Related:
Wale Performs Haitian Benefit At Howard University
Friday, January 22, 2010
Hope For Haiti Performances With Jay-Z, Rihanna, Bono, Beyonce, Alicia Keys & More
Wale Performs Haitian Benefit At Howard University
via MTV
On Thursday night (January 21), Washington, D.C. rapper Wale rocked the party in the name of charity and good will at last night's Hands for Haiti Benefit Concert at Howard University. 1,500 people crammed into Crampton Auditorium for the MC's extra-boisterous blend of hip-hop that, for at least one night, was delivered in the spirit of charity. Because of the desperate need for resources and aid in Haiti, 100 percent of the proceeds from the concert — a grand total of over $15,000 — will go toward the Haiti Relief Fund.
Wale's set was the centerpiece, but there was also dancing, singing, rapping, and spoken-word pieces performed by students, alumni and local D.C. artists, highlighted by the solemn, moving performance by spoken-word artist and Howard alum Messiah. With every break in the program, students danced in the aisles and waved Haitian flags in support of earthquake victims on the island.
When Wale took the stage in the headlining spot and did not disappoint. His stage presence alone brought everyone up to their feet and rushing to the front of the theater. He clearly thrives in intimate venues like this, as he hopped off the stage to perform top tracks like "Nike Boots," "90210" and "Beautiful Bliss" amidst a sea of singing, arm-waving fans. Everybody walked out happy, not only because they saw an excellent night of music and song but also because they did their bit to reach out to disaster victims in Port-au-Prince.
more fan shot footage below.
(video courtesy of Justplainjones808)
Thursday, January 21, 2010
A Tribe Called Quest Reunite For Phife Dog Diabetes Benefit Concert Recap
via XXL Magazine
In tribute to Phife Dawg and his fight against diabetes, a re-united A Tribe Called Quest and a host of other NY heavyweights from the ‘90s came out in support for the Mind.Body.Soul benefit show last night (Jan. 20) at the Knitting Factory in Brooklyn.
“This is one of those nights that make me rekindle my love for hip-hop,” said actor and event host Michael Rapaport, who’s been working on a Tribe documentary.
Talib Kweli was the first big name to hit the stage, performed his hit “Get By,” among others. Next up was Greg Nice, who arguably had the rowdiest set of the evening, jumping down into the crowd to perform “Dwyck.” A small, but vocal group of fans called out Jeru The Damaja to perform the likes of “D. Original” and “Come Clean,” followed by Dres of Black Sheep with a trio of songs, including material from a looming Black Sheep album.
An admittedly nervous Jay Electronica brought Talib Kweli back out for “Just Begun,” performing the song a second time when Mos Def popped up for his verse. Bot Exhibit A and “Exhibit C” followed, the latter of which the crowd had been clamoring for the entire night.
“If Barack Obama was here, he gotta go before KRS,” said Jay Elect before exiting the stage for The Teacha and Chief Rocka Busy Bee, who played hypeman for “South Bronx” and “Sound of da Police,” among other joints. Termanology and Mr. Cheeks also made quick cameos.
With Ghostface a no-show, Consequence closed out the show, beginning with “The Good, The Bad, The Ugly.” He then brought out cousin Q-Tip and the rest of the Tribe for to perform some of the group’s classic cuts like “Sucka Nigga,”, “Oh My God,” and “Award Tour.”
This marks the first time Phife has been on stage since undergoing a kidney transplant to help in his ongoing battle with diabetes. The Queens-bred rap vet seemed enthused after getting a chance to rock the crowd.. “We witnessed history here on this stage,” Phife said afterward. —Devin Chanda
(video courtesy of LTD Mag. & MissinfoTV)
Monday, October 26, 2009
Prince Plays Rare Concert At Paisley Park Studios
(photo courtesy of David Joles at the Star Tribune)
Prince played a surprise private concert Saturday, October 24 at Paisley Park studios in Chanhassen, MN.
Show review and set list courtesy of Jon Bream at the Star Tribune Minneapolis - St. Paul, Minnesota and idolator.
Prince showed more versatility and musicality in his first hour onstage than Michael Jackson did in his entire career. He started with a bunch of tunes from this year's "Lotusflow3r" collection and then paraded through his hits, especially from the 1980s. In fact, there wasn't one tune from the '90s and only "Feel 4 U" from the '70s.
With his horn-less band, Prince has never sounded funkier at Paisley. He was talkative and humorous, loose and spontaneous, calling out songs and arrangements as well as an occasional "so-low" for himself on guitar. To witness that kind of organic musicmaking always feels special -- especially when it's a well-drilled, first-rate band like Prince's -- even if you have to put up with the bandleader frequently telling the sound guy how to adjust the mix.
Prince saluted the Time, the Doobie Brothers and the Jackson 5 in song and verbally acknowledged his debt ("I wouldn't be who I am without...") to James Brown, the Jacksons, Chaka Khan, Rufus, Stevie Wonder, Sly Stone, Joni Mitchell and Tower of Power. His pal Larry Graham sat in on bass for a series of Sly & the Family Stone tunes, and backup singer Shelby J, a powerhouse from the southern soul/gospel school, stepped out front on a couple of selections, most notably "The Arms Of An Angel."
Read more of the show review here:
Star Tribune - Paisley Park's night to remember
Prince's Paisley Park Set list:
No More Candy 4 U
Ol Skool Company
Stand (Sly Stone cover)
Turn Me Loose
I Want You Back (Jackson 5 cover)
Dance with Me
1999
Feel 4 U
Controversy
Sexy Dancer
Le Freak (Chic cover)
Shake That Moneymaker
Controversy
Why U Wanna Treat Me So Bad
Take Me with U
Anotherholeinthehead/Rock Lobster (the B-52's)
Guitar
Raspberry Beret
Arms Of An Angel (Sarah McLachlan cover sung by Shelby J)
Forever in My Life
Mountains
Shake Your Booty (Jackson 5 cover)
begins Sly Stone medley: Everyday People
I Want To Take You Higher
You Can Make It If You Try
Long Train Runnin (Doobie Brothers cover, sung by Shelby J)
Thankuforlettinmebemyself (back to Sly Stone)
Dancin' Machine (The Jacksons cover)
Sing a Simple Song (more Sly Stone)
Play That Funky Music (Wild Cherry cover)
Encore #1
Uptown
Let's Work
Cool (The Time)
Kiss
Sometimes it Snows in April
The Bird (The Time, playfully introduced as "another ballad")
Jungle Love
Love Bizarre
Glamourous Life
Encore #2
Purple Rain
Friday, September 11, 2009
Monday, August 31, 2009
Jay-Z: Press Conference For "Answer the Call" NYC Benefit Concert
Photos:
Film Magic
Wire Image
Getty Images
WENN Photos
PR Photo
Rex Features
Star Traks Photo
Press release:
Madison Square Garden's national music network Fuse and MSG Entertainment today announced that JAY-Z will play a benefit concert at Madison Square Garden, underwritten by ABSOLUT, JAY-Z and Live Nation, on September 11 at 9pm ET that will air exclusively in HD and commercial-free, live on Fuse. All proceeds from the concert will go towards New York Police and Fire Widows' and Children's Benefit Fund, the organization that has been helping New York City families of fallen first responders for over 25 years. The exclusive relationship between MSGE and Fuse will allow JAY-Z's fans nationwide to experience "Fuse Presents JAY-Z Live from Madison Square Garden: Answer the Call," the highly anticipated live event, the same day his 11th studio album, The Blueprint 3 is released.
For this live event, 100% of the proceeds from ticket sales and concert merchandise will go directly to New York Police and Fire Widows' and Children's Benefit Fund. Since its inception, the New York Police and Fire Widows' and Children's Benefit Fund has distributed over $114 million to the families of New York City police and fire personnel who have lost their lives in the line of duty. Though the Benefit Fund was initially created to assist families of New York City Fire Fighters and Police Officers, the non-profit now includes the families of Emergency Medical Services and Port Authority Officers as well. For more information on the organization, go to www.answerthecall.org.
The on-sale date and method of purchase will be announced shortly. After the announcement, Citi card members will have access to presale tickets through Citi's Private Pass(R) program. For complete presale details visit: www.citiprivatepass.com and for more information on programming surrounding this event, go to www.fuse.tv/jay-z.
The events of September 11th challenged JAY-Z as an entertainer and a New Yorker. This benefit concert serves as not just a reminder of the lives lost but as a look towards the future and the hope that arose on September 12th. "This charity and concert encompass the true spirit of New York City," commented Shawn "JAY-Z" Carter. "We are asking everyone to 'answer the call' and support and honor the families of those that lost their lives in the line of duty. There was true camaraderie and resiliency that this city showed the world in 2001, and we continue that today by taking care of our own."
"On behalf of New York Police and Fire Widows' and Children's Benefit Fund's Board of Directors and the families of our fallen heroes, we are truly grateful for JAY-Z's choice to support our charity and 'answering the call'," said Stephen J. Dannhauser, president and CEO of the New York Police and Fire Widows' and Children's Benefit Fund.
Kicking off with the live airing of "Fuse Presents JAY-Z Live from Madison Square Garden: Answer the Call," on September 11 at 9pm ET, Fuse will feature additional JAY-Z programming in support of the Benefit Fund and The Blueprint 3's release throughout the weekend. Content will include "The JAY-Z Chronicles," tracing his career and rise to the top through music videos and facts, "Loaded: JAY-Z," featuring a half-hour of JAY-Z's greatest music videos, and encore performances of the concert.
The unique relationship between MSG Entertainment and Fuse offers music lovers distinct multi-platform access to JAY-Z and the opportunity to support, along with JAY-Z, an important New York City cause. Through television, on-line exposure at MSGE venue websites and msg.com, and cross-venue assets, JAY-Z will benefit from MSG's multi-tiered exposure to his fans, ultimately further promoting this important charity.
"MSGE and Fuse are honored to support JAY-Z's efforts to raise awareness and funds for a great cause through this unique live concert and television event," said Mike Bair, president, MSG Media. "By utilizing Madison Square Garden's historic venue, Fuse's national reach of 65 million homes as well as our on air programming and promotional efforts, we hope to help JAY-Z reach fans by giving back through music."
"Together, MSGE and Fuse are thrilled to support JAY-Z's upcoming charity performance at The Garden and provide significant exposure to his fans in efforts to make a difference in people's lives," said Jay Marciano, president, MSG Entertainment. "There is no better outcome than when an evening of great music can excite fans and help people in need at the same time. Through MSG's unique assets, thousands of fans will be able to experience JAY-Z live exclusively on Fuse, bringing JAY-Z closer to potential donors and ultimately raising awareness for a meaningful cause."
Monday, August 24, 2009
Jay-Z: NYC Benefit Concert Set For September 11
(via Hip Hop DX)
Much like he did when the first Blueprint was released, Jay-Z is releasing the third installment of the trilogy on September 11. Aware of the importance of the date, Jay-Z is set to play at Madison Square Garden in New York to raise money for New York Police and Fire Widows' and Children's Benefit Fund.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Kanye West: 2nd Annual Stay In School Concert in Chicago recap
The Kanye West Foundation (KWF), founded in 2007 by the late Dr. Donda West, was established to help combat the severe dropout problem plaguing America's communities. It is through the collaboration of community and corporate partnerships that the 2nd "Stay in School" Benefit Concert, taking place at the historic Chicago Theatre on Thursday, June 11th, was born. This is the first major event for the Kanye West Foundation since the 2007 passing of its founder Dr. Donda West, the mother of Kanye West. It is also the first concert Kanye has performed in the city of Chicago in over a year. The concert will be taped by Fuse, the national music network, and will air later this summer.
Read more about this effort HERE
Check out the photos from the event:
Red Carpet
Concert
(video courtesy of FlairTV)
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