msrivercity.com

If you want to see some ecstatic white kids wasted-er than they’ve ever been in life, the 12 Reasons to Die Tour is the perfect place. But seriously, Ghostface & Adrian Younge’s Venice Dawn put on a phenomenal performance at Terminal West – one complete with plot, costumes, choreography, and memorable music.

Personally I’m not a fan of rapping over live bands, except in this case. Most of times the combination of screaming obscenities, clanking drums, out-of-tune guitars and off beat rhythms sends me to bed with a whirling headache. However Venice Dawn has mastered fusing fine instrumentation with the heart of hip hop. Each of the members, alongside Adrian Younge, possess their own showmanship while engaging the audience with skills, variety, and visual entertainment. There have been some previous negative reviews about the chemistry between Ironman & band, however the kinks must have been smoothed out because this show was flawless. Maybe it’s because the Atlanta stop was towards the end of the tour (the final show is tomorrow in Austin).

Reading fan commentary from other cities, some people complained Ghost didn’t spit enough of his early Wu material and focused too much on the new album. I disagree. We were blessed with “4th Chamber”, “Daytona 500″, “After Laughter Comes Tears”, and a tribute to ODB (complete with a guest appearance from Osirus’ slightly short-bus son.) Probably not super necessary to mention, but Killah Priest was hype-manning for the evening, clearly working off a hefty plate of fried food from earlier in the day.

It’s 2013 and the tour is for the new album produced by Younge, so expecting Ghost rocking his old discography will leave you slightly disappointed. But honestly, this show would be worth much more than a Tony Stark’s solo set. While there’s still some development desired from Younge & his accomplices, their opera-like renditions were hugely enjoyable. Even the opening act, The Difference Machine, was on point.

Check out more photos below, including some alochol-induced selfies of me & my friends. (Instagram credits: @realdurtyd, @3clopsi, @speakeasypromo, @dillonmaurer)

Video after the jump >> Read more…

Young Scooter drops the visuals for “Street Lottery” featuring Bun B. Prod. by Nard & B.

Last night Rocko brought out the city for a live performance at Plush in Jacksonville, FL. “U.O.E.N.O.” is one of the hottest tracks out right now and Rocko didn’t disappoint Duval at the show. He also performed previous hits like “Goin Steady”, “Thumb Thru the Check”, “No Tomorrow”, and about 10 more. Rocko’s Lingo For Dummies is coming soon.

Accompanying the Don was A1/Free Band Gang’s Bloody Jay, who is also working on a mixtape due out Cinco De Mayo – 5/5 @ 5:55. Zone 6′s Tight was in Jacksonville too, working on some new songs. The after party was at Mascara’s with Frank Coleone, but I had to check out early. If you consider 3am early.

Thanks to TJ da DJ, Lil Prince, Fireman DJs, Vince, DJ Buddy Ro, Propane media, and everyone else who looked out. Preciate y’all. Photo gallery below. More over at TerrenceTyson.com.

REREAD: Rihanna Diamonds World Tour w/ A$AP Rocky in Tampa FL [Photos x Recap]

After a few cancelled shows due to illness, I was nervous Rihanna wouldn’t make it to the Tampa Times Forum – a show I’ve been waiting to see since January. And as time ticked on, with a full stadium of anxious onlookers, it was apparent she definitely wasn’t making it on time. A$AP Rocky’s show wasn’t much consolation to Rihanna’s Navy, who was squirming in their seats to see the main act. Plus the live band didn’t highlight Rocky’s music whatsoever, in fact it clashed and sounded terrible. He’s still my celebrity crush, and I’ve seen much better Rocky performances, so I’m not complaining. But others were. Especially when he exited the stage and the crowd was left waiting almost an hour before Rih Rih appeared in all her glory, way passed 10pm.

A sigh of relief mixed with tear-jerking awe could be heard as the spotlight hit the gorgeous wonder and she belted out the heartfelt lyrics to “Mother Mary.” From there she turned on the juice, pussy-patting her way through nearly every career hit. Her laryngitis, or syphilis, or whatever was ailing the superstar was cleared up and she sounded great. Diamonds World Tour is worth every penny. Including the $45 I shelled out on a Rihanna camo tank top due to a post-concert trance. The VIP seats made me feel rich. So rich, I hit the Hard Rock Casinos, which serves alcohol 24 hours. Not sure how it’s legal to drink until 7am, but it sure was fun. A$AP Rocky clocked out way before I did. But I still got my money.

Full set list & remaining US tour dates after the jump >> Read more…

The FBI is asking anyone with info to help identify suspects to come forward. Read full story & view more photos on Yahoo News.

Ha! This applies to pretty much every music festival so far this year and upcoming.

Spotted @ PNP

Friday in East Atlanta Village, Adidas Originals hosted the #UniteAllOriginals art event followed by a free Danny Brown concert. Visual artists Jeremy Fish, Michael Sieben, and Morning Breath combined their individual creations into one giant structure which was erected (no homo) before Danny Brown hit the stage. MauriceGarland.com was on Instagram duties snapping photos (below) and video recap is courtesy of SneakerTheater.com. I’m still looking for photos of the girls grabbing on Brown’s junk – if anyone has some Twitter me: @MsRivercity

FutureofFlorida.com & DJ Smallz hosted a meet & greet during 94.1′s Wild Splash this weekend in Clearwater. The concert featured 69 Boys, Juvenile, Juicy J, Meek Mill and more, while the networking booth gave some upcoming FL artists a chance to mingle with fans, take photos, and share music. Some of the attendees included Niko (Orl), RnB Sanga (Jax), Leegit (Polk Co), Famous Kid Brick & Cristol (St Pete), Cash Money’s new signee Caskey (Orl), and Tampa’s own Splitta Squad, Tom G, DJ Shure Fire & Amber of Urban Addiction.

It was also a day of White Girls Gone Wild as you can tell from the photo above. Check out more pics below:

Lil Duval & Ms Dynasty

Me & Yung Ralph

Sunday was the official Diamond Awards at Club Plush in Jacksonville FL. Hosted by Lil Duval and Ms Dynasty, the event was a big look for the city – especially since nobody got shot. All week, Bigga Rankin & The Cool Running DJs played host to various industry VIPs B.o.B., Benzino, Myko Montana, Yung Ralph, DJ Smallz, DJ Demp and more. Shout out to all the Jacksonville artists making moves, good to see everybody coming up together. All events were covered by TerrencTyson.com – check out more photo galleries below:

Lil Duval & Ms. Dynasty host the 2013 Diamond Awards @ Club Plush

The OFFICIAL 2013 Diamond Awards After-Party ft. B.O.B. @ Club Mascara’s

Benzino & Bigga Rankin host The OFFICIAL Diamond Awards 13 Kickoff @ Skyline Sports Bar

Bigga Rankin’s 2013 Diamond Awards Pre-Party @ Club Lava

The 1st Annual Lil Duval Strip A Thon @ The All New Silver Fox

Bigga Rankin’s Diamond Awards 2013 Independent Artist Mixer @ Skyline Sports Bar

Bigga Rankin’s Diamond Awards Industry Mixer @ 2nd Level Barbershop

Graffiti is art too – just illegal. But despite graf defacing public/private property and costing hundreds, or thousands, of dollars to remove, spray murals are part of the urban culture. If you can’t find tagging in your hood, you’re not living the big city life.

When done properly, and with permission, graffiti can enhance a town’s art community. Above is some work from my hometown. Spotted this on a brick wall at the end of the Jacksonville Riverwalk. It will probably be scrubbed off soon so enjoy it now.

It’s been years since I’ve followed the street art kids here, but I plan to post more. If anyone knows the creators of these pieces hit me on Twitter @MsRivercity or Facebook.com/MsRivercity.

Also check out this video of my friends “freestyling” back in ’99. This was Duval’s version of the 5 elements:

As an A list Hollywood celebrity, Vivica Fox gets the highest humble honors for even visiting The Gate (J. Paul’s) – a local favorite hood bar in Jonesboro, just south of Atlanta. The Gate is the type of place Yelp doesn’t acknowledge exists. You won’t find a Groupon either. But Vivica doesn’t mind an off-the-grid type of spot where sweatshirts & tennis shoes are common attire. The music is always good, the food is delicious, and it’s a comfortable place you can lounge or smoke a blunt on a Saturday night. As did Ms. Fox.

These photos were taken in the “VIP” (small leather bench behind a curtain). Just as I was wrapping up the shoot, I spotted the weed hit her lips and almost snapped a pic. But I didn’t want to be a jerk. She was too friendly and sometimes the media need to let famous people enjoy themselves. It was cool seeing a wealthy, accomplished woman doing regular people stuff with regular people.

What was such a stunning lady doing here? I’m told she dates, or dated, a club promoter in Atlanta so she frequents the city. She’s also a friend of DJ Ace, the man behind Gate’s popularity. He’s known for bringing the best entertainment to the Southside. I doubt he had to do much convincing with Vivica, she seemed happy to get a break from Hollywood and mingle with some real people. She’s too cool.

*edited due to The Gate owner’s complaints. LOL. that’s one of my favorite spots though*

Read more…

Sometimes you just have to say F it and pee in the hotel elevator…and lobby fountain. This was the philosophy my drunken girlfriends embraced last weekend when we went to Orlando for a concert series. Drunk 1 and Drunk 2, as we’ll refer to them, couldn’t hold their bladders when we returned to the hotel after some hard partying. I was forced to assume the role of responsible adult babysitter. Too bad I lost our room keys and locked us out in 32 degree weather.

Deciding to leave Drunk 1 at the room holding a bag of 3am McDonald’s french fries for safe keeping, Drunk 2 and I started the hike to the concierge building for new keys. Drunk 2 couldn’t hold her water and when we passed a decorative fountain she began unbuttoning her jeans, screaming like a toddler, “I can’t wait! I have to pee right here!” Luckily I caught her pre-stream and ushered her outside where she found a more appropriate public parking lot bush and unzipped.

Did I mention it was cold? Based on this logic, I thought it’d be a great idea to leave her in the bushes and haul ass to get new keys made. On the way back she was missing. Frantically I ran back to the elevator with keys in hand. When the elevator door opened I paused abruptly – what kind of asshole just pours out a bottle of water on the elevator floor and leaves it? Puzzling.

I caught another elevator and ran to the room, where thankfully Drunk 2 had found her way back. Drunk 1 was now missing. But she left the fries, thank God!

Just as I finished up the most disgusting dining experience ever, the thought occurred to me to look for Drunk 1. But she knocked on the door with the biggest sigh of relief. “I couldn’t wait, I pee’d in the elevator!!”

Next time somebody please pack diapers for these girls.

Since I’m poking fun at my girl friends’ embarrassing alcoholic urination, I might as well explain why I wasn’t intoxicated. And it’s not because of my responsibility. I would have been just as plastered as they were had I not eaten a week-old weed brownie the night before. Now I see why they’re called “brown”ies – it kept me on the toilet of Universal Studios for an hour, begging for forgiveness. Eventually the Lord granted me permission to return to the concert, but my stomach was still churning up a strong warning to avoid liquor. Yet another reason to say no to drugs.

Our terrible photos: Read more…

Sometimes I joke about selling all my possessions, buying a used RV and hitting the road hippie-style. Freedom, nature, music, traveling, and the arts fuel my soul, and lately I’ve really been appreciating Mother Earth and her blessings. When I’m not rap blogging and partaking in shenanigans, this is the kind of stuff I’m into:

Every Saturday in Jacksonville (when the Arts Market closes for the season), the Riverside Farmers Market assembles just west of downtown under Fuller Warren Bridge, at the end of the Northbank River Walk. 10am – 1pm. There’s a mix of fresh, local products from fruit & veggies, honey, flowers & herbs, baked goods, and dairy items.

For $5 I loaded up on a week’s worth of goodness. I should have splurged on the homemade Gouda cheese I sampled, but I was trying to be frugal (and avoid a night of gassiness & bloating). In the spirit of caring for the environment, on the walk home I picked up cans, bottles, and garbage littering my beautiful city. Might not make up for all my past sins, but it felt good.

More: Read more…

Last Friday the 3rd Annual J Dilla Day Duval kicked off at 1904, a new spot downtown Jacksonville on Ocean St. Dialectable Beats spun some classic J Dilla tunes in between performances by Czar Black, Mas Appeal, Stillwater, Arsun Fist, and more. All proceeds from the event were used to raise money for the J Dilla Foundation, which promotes music education in urban schools. For more info visit www.jdillafoundation.org.

More photos below. 1904 has some clean street art and is an overall chill spot. Check it out if you haven’t already.

As a long time supporter of Tity Boi, who everyone now knows as 2 Chainz, it was good to see everyone gather together at Vanquish Nightclub in ATL to his Grammy Nominations. More photos from Exclusive Access after the jump.

Read more…

G Love & His Legs

Me & My Hot Girl Deana

Friday we caught night 2 of G Love and Special Sauce’s visit to Jacksonville, FL at Freebird Live. Shouts out to Philly! (I’ve never been there, just wanted to sound cool.) For those who don’t remember G Love & Sauce, here’s a refresher:

Nobody really knows what G. Love is talking about half the time, but it was still fun singing along. Side thought, dude is ridiculously tall. My girl Deana (pictured above) compares him to Jack from Nightmare Before Christmas. I’d agree. Check out our other photos:

Last night marked a monumental moment for The xx as they celebrated their 100th performance. Jacksonville, FL was lucky enough to host the occasion at The Florida Theatre. I was there! Drunk. Thankfully I remember the beautiful show – it surpassed all my expectations. The xx killed every song they blessed us with off their new album Coexist, as well as their debut self-titled LP. The sound quality was excellent. And although it was Super Bowl Sunday, the theater seats were completely packed. Maybe because most females and gays don’t watch football? I’m just assuming. Me and my girls did some pre-gaming at Dos Gatos across the street where we caught the first 2 quarters of Baltimore’s domination, and even more important, Beyonce’s halftime reunion with Destiny’s Child. Thank you bartender Rachel for getting me completely wasted on free apple martinis and Fireball shots. This is what happens when I shoot photos tipsy: Read more…

Last month Atlast Clothing opened the doors to its flagship store in East Atlanta Village (E.A.V. as locals call it). I was out of town for the holidays so I missed the grand opening event, which I hear brought in over 400 people, and a bunch of free PBR. This weekend I finally got to check out the spot and Chris helped me doing some shopping. Atlast definitely has a flare for design superior to many street wear brands which feature boring, monotonous logos screenprinted over and over. I had a hard time selecting one shirt, so I picked out 4. And have my eye on about 5 more. In addition to their own brand, they also have selections from other local companies like Street Lurkin.

If you’re in the market for some unique gear (what Atlien isn’t?) stop by the store 493-c Flat Shoals Ave. You can also order online at AtlastClothing.com. Twitter/Instagram: @atlastclothing. I’ll be IGing some of my new gear periodically @MsRivercity.

Also stay tuned for updates on the all new East Atlanta Lounge which was purchased by Atlast and undergoing a full renovation. Check out a photo of Chris & I with Saturday morning hungovers after the jump, plus a look at Paper Frank’s exclusive in-store mural. Read more…

Last night kicked off the Cool Club Tour at Smith’s Olde Bar in Atlanta. The event was emceed by Atlanta’s favorite hosts Maurice Garland and Fort Knox. DJ Burn One provided the tunes in between performance sets by iNDEED, LOEGz, and Scotty. Scotty’s Cool Club campaign has been going strong all through 2012 and continues in 2013, if you want one of those fly shirts or to book a Scotty show email bookingscottyatl@gmail.com.

Shouts out to all the Instagramers for the photos, search hashtag #CoolClub and #CoolClubTour. The next stop is Birmingham at The Nick tonight with Scotty, RaRa, Klub Monsta, Bo Latham, KD, and The Coolismac.

More Photos: Read more…

Triple R Rocking the Stage

Myself & Willie Evans Jr. in a Funny Face Contest

Hip Hop Hell celebrated a special holiday edition at Phoenix Taproom welcoming back Robert Raimon Roy, or Rob Roy as we know him in the ‘Ville. Despite Rob’s incessant requests for us to address him by the new stage name for branding purposes, most of us forget out of habit, including his guest DJ for the night, Willie Evans Jr. (pictured above).

A tradition amongst local emcees, Hip Hop Hell is probably the longest running event in Jacksonville for rhymers to flaunt their skills for true hip hop heads. Saturday night’s showcase also included acts like Duval Spit (the shoeless wonder), Tough Junkie, Mass Appeal, and $Big Bucks$ Crew. Duval Spit is a new character to me, however Tough Junkie & Mass Appeal – collectively known as Simple Complexity – have been around for years.

While there’s some growth & development to be seen in my hometown, it’s encouraging to see outlets for indie rappers still exist – outlets where acts like Robert Raimon Roy can return after nationwide success and still be right at home. Check out more photos after the jump Read more…