No more bands for Boyz II Men. I’ve prepped myself to catch mega side-eyes and a few hexes for talkin’ greasy about Boyz II (Old) Men, but I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t keep it real. And real talk…if I had known then what I know now about the show, I would have pushed play on my MotownPhilly cassette (yes I still have it. What?), climbed in the oven and sang along as my skin cooked off. It was the exact same experience. My question to the fellas is: “If you’ve sold 800 bazillion records, how in the world are you gonna let a local act show you up, down the street and around the corner. Does performing your own music like it’s a Karaoke show make you an official has-been? Inquiring minds want to know. This ladies and gentlemen (or “lettice and gennymens” as a soulful announcer once said over the intercom at an event that shall remain nameless) was my final Live Off the Levee experience. The Fabulous Motown Revue was exactly that – Fabulous. It’s about 80 of them. You know you are a megaband when you have a girl group and a male quartet in the same crew. I’m just sayin. After the Motown Revue sweated their way off the stage, they started getting ready for the main act. When they were settin’ up the stage I was thinkin’ to myself “They are bringin’ out an awful lot of roses, but what about the drum set…you know, the equipment.” It would never come. On a nekkid (that’s hood talk for naked) stage, Boyz II (Old) Men took the stage in full Four Tops (wearin’ three piece suits that are makin’ me sweat just thinkin’ about) swagger as the track machine kicked in. Wanyayeie still sounded the same, Nathan sounded cool, but Shawn…not so much. As much as I appreciate the Celebrate St. Louis folks tryin’ again to give us something for the people, unlike Anthony Hamilton, War and Joss Stone the final soul headliner set was pretty re-gu-lar!
Slim at the Loft. Speaking of tracks, 112 (well only 1, the 12 stayed at home) was reppin’ in the STL by way of their lead singer Slim courtesy of 100.3 The Beat at the Loft on Tuesday night. He sang along to a bunch of the group’s trademark songs. I hadn’t seen him in a while, but he should change his name from “Slim” to “Regular” because he has put on about 50 pounds – meaning that he’s now about a buck forty (140 lbs). I walked past him twice without knowing it was him. I love the group, but I’ve never been a real fan of his voice (are you surprised? I didn’t think so.). All of my favorite songs from them are the ones that he doesn’t lead, like “This is Your Day” – one of the best R& B songs ever. To me it sounds like somebody is standing on his neck when he sings. But Regular sounded somewhat like the records and the ladies loved him from what I could tell. He also took the time to give the folks an update on he and the group. Regular says that he is now a record label CEO and even though they’ve been off the scene for a minute, they are coming back to snatch the R&B male group game back from Ugly Ricky and ‘nem for the 2K9. We shall see.
Black to the Basics in the building. That’s right lettice and gennimens I am kickin’ it with the enlightened folks this weekend – also known as the Spoken Word/Jazz/Soul heads. I was handed a flyer for SouLacE this Saturday at the J. Buck’s downtown (doors open at 9 p.m., show starts at 10 p.m.) and was looking for the first Metro bus back to Africa when I saw that Taalam Acey and Knowledge were going to be spittin’ wisdom at the same time in the same place. Some of you have probably heard of Knowledge from making his rounds at the open mics and spoken word events around town. He is the absolute, unadulterated and unfiltered truth! Taalam is out of Baltimore and I saw his piece entitled “There’s A Market for N” and it had me ready to spam some folks with it he was so deep about the truth behind the gangsta rap industry. Google him. Better yet, see him live in the flesh right here in the Lou. Even if you are not ready to shave off your relaxed hair and start wearin’ dashiki’s like I was (for a while anyways). It will change your life and your mind. Teresa Jenee, Wordsmith, Blue, Lightning and others will be in the building throwin’ down as well. Thank you Helen Marie and ‘nem for givin’ our nightlife some substance.
Funny, funny, funny. I’m all laughed out after rolling through Lights on Broadway’s Starlight Room, the largest comedy room on both sides of the water. I don’t know how Jesse Taylor does it. Boyfriend packs the house every Sunday and a lot of other comics just roll through to laugh, jone, support and work the room. I started on Friday when the Prince’s Comedy Tour rolled through there, starring who – yep, Jesse. Then I rolled through the House of Comedy for George Wilburn. Hilarious! Then, Sunday, I was right back at the Starlight Room for the Jesse’s weekly gig. OFF THE CHAIN. Oh, and let me give props to my girl Chrystal, who won the amateur competition segment with her crazy, cool, chocolate self. Speaking of cool and crazy sexy, Comic Maurice G is doing a show hot show at the Starlight Room with fellow STL funnyman G-Thang, who has a role in the up coming comedy Disaster Movie. Also on the ticket is Comedian DeRay (Reno 911 and Barber Shop) and that fool Shawty Shawty. It’s called the Comedy Campaign and goes down at 9 p.m., Saturday, August 16 at 8350 Broadway. Hit’em at (314) 780-9414. A shout to all the other comedians who kept me rolling over the weekend: Lil Rock (he does the House of Comedy on Mondays), Darius Bradford (he’s at the Starlight Room on Tuesdays), Frank Lyles (at the CWE B&B on Sundays), Cuttin’ T (You might see him anywhere. Really.) and my girl Ms. Arkansas.
A tapping good times. Props to Mo Spoon for throwing a tight appreciation Eye Candy Party Tuesday at the Sky Box. It was off the chain and brought out some of the ladies I hadn’t seen in a while. A shout to the original, ’06 spokesmodel Sheena J. Girlfriend’s still looking good. And shouts to all of the Eye Candy Models that rolled through: Tiffanee, both Michelles, both Kims, both Ashleys, Whitney, Brittany Sky who was celebrating her b-day, and my girl Shanell, who looked stunning. I still say she should’ve won the spokesmodel competition. But y’all ain’t heard that from me. Speaking of comp, Mo Spoon blew the free 112, Musiq thing out the box. And as long as we talking about eye candy, Kevin Cunningham and Knockouts have all of their finalists for the Knockouts Ring Girl Contest. The finalists are: Leah, Jasmine K, Lakaisha, Tamika, Crystal, Nadia, Lona, Chrysma and Jasmine B. And these sisters are some real knockouts. But the real knockout is the prize the last one standing gets: $1,000 cash prize, Ms. Bacardi Gold Crown, Ring Girl spot on HBO or Showtime at Devon Alexander the Greats’ next championship fight and a walk-on part in Cedric The Entertainer’s next movie. The winner will be crowned at 8 p.m., Tuesday, August 12 at Knockouts Bar and Grill. To check out a photo of all the girls and make you’re pic, go to www.stlamerican.com. More eye candy: Big Tah has his Summer in the City swimsuit competition Friday, August 8 at The Loft. I’m guessing the male eye candy will be at Larry Hughes Family Foundation’s Casino Night at 7 p.m., Saturday, August 9 at the Hilton Ballpark Hotel. Talking about a hype party with a purpose, it’s always off the chain. It’s a fundraiser y’all – the money goes to charity, so it’s $50 bucks. Support the foundation. Close To Famous and Home Grown ENT is doing a kick off party called Players Only – The NBA Edition w/Larry Hughes and NBA Celebrity Friends. Groupies suit up! On Saturday, Topher has his big baller b-day jam at Lumen.