Mr. Sykes Goes To 50 Mics
So this past Thursday I was invited to the 50 Mics competition @ spotlight live in time square. I'm very shy (even though most people can't tell) so when I got there, initially I didn't speak to anyone. I took a few pictures of people that where around before the show, and the venue itself. I spoke to my connect there Kareem Davis of Sandbox TV, had a drink and took in the atmosphere. And I realized how strange it was for me being at a show and not having to perform myself. I mean you hear people warming up in bathroom, and in green room. You see them pacing back and forth, nervously talking to their managers and friends; and for the time I'm on the other side of that.
The show started a little @ around 9:50pm when I was supposed to start at 8:30pm. But it was very well but together and excellently organized, so shout out to the production time at 50mic.
But this is the first time I felt like a real journalist.... I mean I was out there cover a story with my camera, filming this artist as the pour sweat, hard work and raw talent right in front of me. I don't think I could have been anymore excited it I was writing it for rolling stone.
But I digress, the artist where hot (some of them) and the judges where very competant.
And were fair.
Right Side up: Female Rap/R&B group (in the style of Floetry) from Baltimore MD, the track was nice but to performance was over hyped and unpolished.....but the girls have talent.
Sharp: Rap group from Long Island....All have to say is I really didn't remember them.
Melissa Duncan: Was definitely the diva of the night. Dressed in a very chic black flowing evening gown. The track the she sung almost threw me off because I wasn't expecting it to be so hard. She gave a performance that could give Pattie Labell a run for her money.
Ade Marie: Gave one of the most hype performances I've every seen. The stage wasn't big enough for her and her dancers (literarily) so they performed right on the floor, which gave it a subtle intimacy. The choreography was excellent, it was sharp and strong, with this edge to it. Even though the judges tried to clown her on a vocal performance (Hey you try singing loud and dancing like that!) she came back with an amazing a cappella rendition of "I'm Going Down" by Mary J.
Please Check Out: http://www.50mics.com
The show started a little @ around 9:50pm when I was supposed to start at 8:30pm. But it was very well but together and excellently organized, so shout out to the production time at 50mic.
But this is the first time I felt like a real journalist.... I mean I was out there cover a story with my camera, filming this artist as the pour sweat, hard work and raw talent right in front of me. I don't think I could have been anymore excited it I was writing it for rolling stone.But I digress, the artist where hot (some of them) and the judges where very competant.
And were fair.
Right Side up: Female Rap/R&B group (in the style of Floetry) from Baltimore MD, the track was nice but to performance was over hyped and unpolished.....but the girls have talent.
A Rapper from Baton Rouge Louisiana who's name I didn't catch...I wish I did because his performance was great.
Niki-Bond: performance would have been fantastic but before it rhymed he gave the crowd some weak speech about how file sharing killed Hip-Hop. I'll tell what killed Hip-Hop Niki and it wasn't file sharing.
Sharp: Rap group from Long Island....All have to say is I really didn't remember them.
Ade Marie: Gave one of the most hype performances I've every seen. The stage wasn't big enough for her and her dancers (literarily) so they performed right on the floor, which gave it a subtle intimacy. The choreography was excellent, it was sharp and strong, with this edge to it. Even though the judges tried to clown her on a vocal performance (Hey you try singing loud and dancing like that!) she came back with an amazing a cappella rendition of "I'm Going Down" by Mary J.
Receptor: in an effort to express how 50 Mics isn't just Hip-Hop, they had a metal band play. And to my surprise the crowed was feeling it or at lest acted like they did. I enjoyed them greatly to spite the fact they had sound difficulties. In addition, the lead singer had a lot of energy, and some pretty good pipes.
Philly Spade: Had a dynamic performance at one point he jumped into the audience and started rhyming. He had a swagger kind of like Kanye West when he performs.
Yung Squad: Was crazy, I don’t think if it was Jay-Z on stage the crowd could have been more hype. There energy was remarkable, and they embody what a true Hip-Hop performance of that nature is supposed to be….
Please Check Out: http://www.50mics.com
