Ice Cold at Sovereign. Friday night, I made my way to Midtown to kick it with the brilliant brothers of black and gold. Somebody from U. City is reading this thinking I’m still talking about them. I love y’all, and I had an absolute time last week, but I’m talking about the men of Alpha Phi Alpha. They celebrated their founder’s day with the cutest set at Sovereign. If the Alphas don’t do anything else, trust they’re going to monopolize the dance floor for one of their epic strolls. And prepare to get trampled if you’re trying to bust a move when they start a train! Friday night was no different. Y’all, I’m willing to bet my Law Roach–inspired bust down frontal wig that somebody in the cost-efficiency seats heard a “One-nine-one-nine-one-nine-one-nine… ohhhh six” during that tender moment between Dorothy and The Lion for that particular performance of “The Wiz” happening down the street at The Fox. The Alphas did that! Was it me, or was there an influx of Sigma Gamma Rhos on deck to kick it with them? Did y’all have a new line or something? Because those “eee-yippps” hit me at the door. I wasn’t the least bit mad about it – y’all know I’m here for every bit of some Divine 9 love!
Groovin’ at The Four Seasons. Since I’m already talking about the Black Greeks, I might as well tell y’all the Nupes were deep in the building for Tongue and Groove Holiday Soiree at The Four Seasons. Now before somebody hits me with, “This is a family newspaper,” let me say that while the name gives “Fifty Shades of Grey,” the actual was a wholesome affair. Well, except for the “Freaks of the Industry” stroll… but aside from the song, the moves were classy and classic Kappa. Don’t get me wrong, I let the “Shimmy Nupe” generation live their best lives. But, I’m partial to the _________ (insert new slang for “grown and sexy” Nupe crew). Yes, Larry Blue, I’m talking about you. Shout out to Keith Harris and Fred Finley for taking your girl back to peak First Friday vibes. And the looks ran the gamut from “freakumwear” to “formalwear.” Who was the young woman with the cropped leather puffy jacket and bedazzled panties on? I’m not judging. Just asking. And Micha Brown, Miss Ma’am… did you have to snatch our souls like that with that pink gown? I guess you’re on gala autopilot. And I don’t blame you one bit! Ms. Brown was giving us body goals and elegance at the same time as she represented for the lovely ladies of pink and green – that’s Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated for those who’ve been under a rock the past 117 years.
A Café Soul reunion for the record books. I’m pretty sure y’all got sick of me and my reminders about Café Soul: The Reunion, which went down Saturday night at The House of Soul. Anybody who was in the building can co-sign my “I told you so.” Feel free to chime in anytime BJ The DJ, CJ Conrod, J. Ross, Shawn Taylor, Tee Baby, and TQ. Those are just a few of the folks who had the House of Soul standing room only as we shared a night to remember. The band lineup was a little different, but Café Soul veterans Alvin Quinn and Darius Savage came through and kept the groove intact! And DJ Kimmy Nu had the room poppin’ with a mix of old school and new school club bangers. Don’t get me wrong, I threw it back, but was I the only one who felt super old when Sexyy Red came on? The first time I kicked it at Café Soul, she was in some St. Louis area first-grade classroom. I almost couldn’t twerk my way through the thought of that. But to remix the classic line from the late great Dr. Maya Angelou, “And still I popped.” In a full-circle moment, Café Soul: The Reunion featured a set from Dakota Pagan. He gave props to Café Soul for giving him his first platform when he first arrived in St. Louis. He also shouted out Nichol Stevenson, who was celebrating her birthday too. Didn’t she look amazing! She has me ready for a big chop – or at least a nasty little 27-piece quick weave.
Running It Down with Rene. Did y’all catch the first episode of “The Rundown with Rene Knott” podcast last week? I did. And I’m thrilled to see Rene take a leap of faith with the launch – and even more thrilled with the I Got Dan Law Firm for sponsoring Knott’s next chapter. When I tell you he popped back out on us with a bang thanks to his first guest, former St. Louis Mayor Tishaura O. Jones. And she flipped the switch on us with that look! She went from St. John knit suits with kitten heels and news anchor hair to a camo jacket with “melanin poppin’” on the back and red-and-black Nikes with sister locks. I was hooked from the look, but then she and Rene had a great and authentic conversation. Their chat made me excited to see both of them step into their respective new eras!