Yesterdays Rock The Bells concert in Mansfield/Boston Massachusetts was packed with screaming fans, loud music, crazy emcees rocking the mic, and the potent smell of ganja filled air.
Although, I missed more than half of the show I arrived just in time to hear Big Boi sing, "Kryptonite" from the parking lot as my guest and I speed walked towards Will Call to pick up our tickets.Once I entered Comcast Center there were mobs of people with hip-hop influenced attire on, socializing and trying to find their way back to their seats before the next performer hit the stage. When I finally reached my assigned seat I was greeted by a few Rock The Bells goers sucking on cancer sticks, which were disgustingly unbearable to inhale, so my friend and I debated with the ushers and upgraded our seats 12 rows forward.
After a quick intermission and a clearer view of the stage Queensbridge's own Nas hit the stage performing the classic tune "The world is yours" which had true hip-hop fans going crazy. As my friend and I raised our fist in the air screaming to "My president is black" we peeped our surroundings we realized that we were the only folks jamming to that tune until "Made you look" and "Got ur self a gun" came on and then to our surprise hundreds of fans decided that they wanted to raise their guns in the air to some of Nas's most ignorant tracks.
Nas's performance was the opening act of the Distant Relatives portion of the show, which was the last segment of Rock The Bells. When Damian Marley and Nas graced the stage together singing their famous track "Road to Zion" and new music from their upcoming EP Distant Relatives it was pure magic. I had no flipping idea that Nas and Damian Marley were recording an album together focusing on Africa and its influence on modern day society and its connection to its people. From the sounds of tracks such as "Africa Must Wake Up" Distant relatives is going to be one of the sickest collaborations that has reached our ears in years.
NAS & DAMIAN "JR GONG" MARLEY DISTANT RELATIVES preview from nabil elderkin on Vimeo.
Performance in Chicago! Peep the background singers/energy dancers who were killing it on stage last night!
Other performers included The Roots, Chali 2NA, Knaan, and Common, Eyedea & Abilities, and Many More...
Rock The Bells is in NYC Tonight!!!!!
