An R&B show for the ages. From the moment I got word that New Edition’s New Way Tour was swinging our way, I was over the moon. The idea that New Edition, Boyz II Men and Toni Braxton would all be hitting the same stage on the same night had me laying out potential looks on the bed months ago! When I tell you The Black Promoters Collective put their ankle, foot, elbow and shoulder in this show for us! The folks who packed out Enterprise Center Friday night know exactly what I mean. The clothes, the spectacle – and the voices were top tier from start to finish. Who else is still bopping to that new track “We Outside?” That show was epic, y’all. From this point forward (or until they fall off), Boyz II Men are officially renamed Boyz II Snatched Men. All of their bodies were tea. Yes, Wanya too! Because I am a Christian, I don’t want to say that anybody sold their soul to the devil. That being said, nearly all of New Edition have looked too good for too long to not have some sort of sorcery involved. Uncle Bobbaye was giving the girls vocals for filth with his solo portion and Johnny Gill was Johnny Gill-ing all night long. I felt so proud of the toddler Delores Shante who heard “Cool It Now” and knew she was partaking in something special. I had no idea how right I would be. More than 40 years later, that song still snaps – even after voices dropped. And I can’t recap the show without mentioning my girl Toni! Girl, how did you slay in the STL after having a full-on health crisis the week before?! Real talk, I’ve seen Mrs. Birdman countless times and she has never given me a bad showing. Now I can’t say the same about her wigs when she’s acting on Lifetime Television For Women, but that has nothing to do with this. The 90s R&B trifecta that took over Enterprise and had everybody’s aunties, uncles and big cousins back outside (and too worn out to clean up Saturday morning) was pure perfection.
Opening Day did that! I heard folks were dry hating on me for recycling my 314 Day outfit for the St. Louis Cardinals Opening Day 2026 festivities…and did! In all fairness to me, how many times do you get to wear a jersey and some mom jeans if you don’t go to the games like that? It was still cute the second time. But not as cute as festivities in Ballpark Village last Thursday. When I tell you that Opening Day is one of those events that lets me know our city is capable of coming together as one Cardinals Nation under a groove! And the icing on the cake was that we won the game! Take that Tampa Bay!
Big ups to the Battlehawks. Now y’all heard me talk big stuff about how I was gonna be perched up in the Dome ka-kawing to the heavens. I said this never having attended a St. Louis Battlehawks game before Saturday. My little ka-kaw might as well have been a whisper compared to how lit the folks were in the name of the Battlehawks! I was not ready! Listen, Todd and Brad from the accounts receivable team might look regular in their quarter-zips and khakis during the week. But they are up in the Dome doing the absolute most for St. Louis Battlehawks home games! I got there early to peep the scene and the Dome was already packed with folks pre-gaming for their fandom moments. My seat neighbor was straight practicing his ka-kaw. When he did it the first time, I instinctively said “bless you.” He turned to me and said, “Is this your first Battlehawks game?” It was that obvious. The folks were decked out in face AND body paint, customized gear from head to toe. It took everything inside of me to not ask this gentleman where he found his half-blue-half-white shake and go wig. And don’t even get me started on the BattleHulk, the man dressed up as Hulk Hogan in full Battlehawks regalia, including a glued on handlebar mustache and a Battlehawks bandana covering his head. And where did y’all get those Battlehawks supersized chains with the massive medallions? I feel like it would set my favorite blue wrap dress all he way off! But back to the game. I had an absolute ball. And then Nelly and the St. Lunatics took ten minutes and made it feel like a whole headlining set for the Kia Halftime Show. And what shocked me the most was how the little kids up in there knew all the words and were straight up vibing to Nelly and the ‘Tics’ music. Their grandparents were in high school when those songs came out. Did that make y’all feel as old as it made me feel? Saturday was my first game, but it most certainly won’t be the last – especially since the Battlehawks brought home the win.
An STL connected Verzuz. I normally leave the national news for social media – unless it has a St. Louis connection. Well last week’s Verzuz Battle where Tyrese took on Tank absolutely did. Tank’s wife is from St. Louis. And y’all know Tyrese’s whole family is from the STL and he did his second home town a solid when he brought my boy Chingy on stage. The sound system tried to not let him be great, but he did his thing! But can we talk for a second about how dirty Tank did Tyrese with that bridge harmony breakdown that roasted him over an open fire for wearing that turtleneck? It was a cute watch and it reminded me of how hilarious and charming Tank is in real life. It reminded me of the time he was at the late great Loft and drove a fellow celebrity – who was far less famous – for acting funny when interacting with fans. He even told Drexel he was gonna need some extra security to keep the groupies away. Tank ate him up while engaging with said groupies. “Don’t nobody want your ole B-list [expletive],” Tank said while hugging and cheesing it up with them. Those weren’t his exact works, but I tried to make it as safe for Partyline as possible.
Stayed tuned for more St. Louis American Reader’s Choice. The nominations have closed, but we’re just getting started! Trust and believe that I will update you on the top nods once things have been tallied!