Being engaged or having a long-term relationship can sometimes cut into “hanging with the boys” activities. One pastime includes strip clubs. Between the day-to-day hustle of being DX staff and attempting to maintain a healthy relationship with the bride-to-be, watching voluptuous women turn various levels muscle control into a full on artform or enjoying breathtaking pole gymnastics just goes by the wayside. However, I’m with a woman who could be considered very progressive. So much so that one of her closest friends is a legal representative who also moonlights as Majestic. Probably one of the most popular dancers at the venue, she also asks me to create playlists for performances from time-to-time. Last weekend was her birthday, so she decided to have the celebration at her part-time gig. I decided to attend after knocking out footage for the pretty spectacular “California Love: Tribute To Dr. Dre” event. It was years since stepping foot in a strip club, and what happened later really became a mindblowing experience in how much the culture has influenced the commercial soundscape of Hip Hop today.

“I ain’t tricking for these treats unless it’s Halloween” has been a Big K.R.I.T. quote I’ve always stood by. Not going to lie, I’ve been a terrible tipper at strip clubs. Rather just toss ones at my lady and pretend to have “Rich Sex” since my current DX salary makes the reality of that fantasy utterly impossible. As soon as I walk into the building, the first thing playing is What A Time To Be Alivetrack “Jumpman” before being greeted by my fiance who hands me about $500 bucks in one dollar bills. I didn’t even bother asking her where that came from. She left to help her friend get dressed as she had some fairly elaborate performances, including one inspired by Coming To America. I take around twenty bucks from that stack and faired the humiliation of a failed attempt at making it rain. The owner and nearby security ended up giving me great advice on my “follow-through.” Staying in line with my conversation earlier this year with BeatKing, I later headed straight to the buffet where I gorged on hot wings and some of the best strip club macaroni and cheese I’ve ever consumed. Matter of fact, the cornbread was to die for. Taking a seat near the mainstage, the soundtrack became an exclusive rotation of Future, Jeezy, Drake, Gucci, Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, Young Thug, 2 Chainz and French Montana along with some current LA mainstays Compton AV and RJ. Simply put, anyone turned away from today’s fairly formulaic outlet of terrestrial radio wouldn’t find much enjoyment. That essentially went for me as well. But, the 2015 strip club experience begs for it.

Taking $200 bucks out of the stack, leaving me with at half the initial bundle of cash, I made my way to center stage following several drinks. As 2 Chainz’s “Watch Out” blared out of the cheap wall speakers, there wasn’t a more entertaining experience than flicking the wrist on top of a woman whose ass literally did magic tricks as she proceeded to bust it open. Well, that was until she turned around and revealed herself as someone I went to elementary school with. Very awkward indeed. Didn’t stop me as I began to understand how addictive this form of rap hedonism has become. Making another round to the buffet for another healthy mac and cheese helping, the nameless woman sat down as we caught up on life. Somewhere near the conversation, she revealed that some local rappers have paid her upwards to one thousand dollars to play their music. This is fairly in line with reports of strippers serving as the new A&R in breaking records. For this particular strip club venue, Friday nights are solely dedicated to breaking new artists and music. I was also told several local radio DJs frequently visit the establishment just to check out new music. There were several joints played that I couldn’t recognized that’ll probably find its way to mainstream consciousness. If LA is able to hold this type of economy, Atlanta or Miami’s scene must be even crazier. While many rap fans complain about the overabundance of trap, there’s clearly one place that has the utmost respect for the sub-genre. By the night’s end, the remaining funds were tossed and I made it rain correctly. This time, to Young Thug’s “Halftime.” Folks can talk about his dress wearing self all they want, but he has the ability to make asses shake like no tomorrow.