FO·MO
ˈfōmō/
noun
informal
AD LOADING...
- anxiety that an exciting or interesting event may currently be happening elsewhere, often aroused by posts seen on a social media website.
- “I realized I was a lifelong sufferer of FOMO”
Urban dictionary definition: The fear that if you miss a party or event you will miss out on something great.
My definition: DON’T MISS THE EVENT.
Luckily, I’m here to provide you with all things you’ve missed, in this popping city of Los Angeles. My name is Shirley Ju, and I live, breathe, sleep Hip Hop. Coming from the Bay, I grew up to the hyphy movement. That being said, turning up is all I know. This will be a weekly recap of the dope events that I myself felt like I couldn’t miss, and you guys wish you were at.
AD LOADING...
Thursday, February 16
So, before you judge me, I have to say, I’m pretty well aware of the type of music RiFF RAFF creates. I remember last year, he came through DX offices dressed in a swagged out peach suit, with two Peach Pantherladies on either side. I wasn’t there, but it was so memorable, I felt like I was lmao. I honestly love the dude, for all that he is. His personality, his bangers, his whole persona really.
Shout out to Ponce De’Leioun, who assisted in connecting me with Jody’s DJ, DJ Afterthought. Ponce was on the bill, but I guess last minute they made some changes. Smh, I always feel bad when artists do that. I pull up to The Regent in downtown L.A. to find this show to be 18 and up. Interesting. I feel like the show definitely could have been way more poppin’ if the minors were allowed to come.
I was dying because Afterthought had put the tickets under “JuJu.” We had some trouble finding them under “Shirley Ju” lmao. After over an hour of random openers hopping on and off stage, JODY HiGHROLLER graces the stage in his red husky bomber, equipped with a fur collar. My homeboy joked it was real husky fur. . . who knows.
AD LOADING...
It’s retailed for $11K if anyone is interested. The crowd tonight was 99% males. It was a trip lmao. He definitely has a loyal fanbase. People were screaming “Jody! Jody! Jody!” all night. He came out to “Back From The Dead” featuring Skepta, which I thought was a pretty solid starter. “How To Be A Man” and “Dolce Gabbana” are some of my favorites. I’ve never seen him live, so I was juiced.
The takeaway for the evening: RiFF RAFF loves trap music. Straight up. The show went from Hip Hop to trap to almost EDM, then back to trap lmao. The best part was that he was feeling it so hard. It was a party up in The Regent tonight. The neon lights were way too fitting.
I waited all night for this track lmao. “TiP TOE WiNG iN MY JAWWDiNZ” slaps. If you guys are fans, you’d know RiFF RAFF went on this health binge and got yoked. He got stuck taking off his husky jacket lmao his homies had to help him. Two seconds later, the jacket is on the back of his little brother on stage. Cute lmao. In between sets, he takes a moment to announces the names of his new weed strains, one self-titled JODY HiGHROLLER.
My homeboy showed up with a bottom grill. I was so proud. Later in the show, Jody and his squad out of nowhere decides to throw water all over us. I hate that shit lmao. Can we start a petition for artists to stop doing that? Please. By the way, if you want to be like RiFF RAFF, just type all caps and lowercase your i’s. You’re halfway there.
AD LOADING...
Friday, February 17
Tonight was one for the books. This was a show I will never forget. Not only were these feelings heightened during the show, but prior to the show also. I’ve never been more excited. The Dream at the lovely El Rey on his Love You To Death Tour.
Before we get into all that, shout out to James Supreme for assisting the interview with 24Hrs. I’ve been trying to grab the former Royce Rizzy ever since his show at The Roxy. I saw last minute that he was opening for The-Dream, and thought that was amazing. A rising R&B star opening for an R&B GOAT. Here for it.
I step into the room backstage to find Twenty chilling in the barber chair, getting his fade cut. That was my only opportunity to speak with him, and was so happy to hear he was willing. Some artists make it impossible for you to do your job. I like to always keep it personal. Building a relationship with these artists is something I really treasure. Shout out to Madeintyo by Twenty’s side the entire evening. I love my brother too lmao.
AD LOADING...
I was stoked, again, to see Ty Dolla $ign come out to support. “What You Like” is a certified banger. And “Blasé” will never get old. I waited for my homegirl to roll up, and decided to get some work down in the VIP balcony. I watched the El Rey fill up to the point I had to take my rain jacket off. It was a sauna.
The-Dream came out singing “Bed,” his cover of the original track by J. Holiday. It’s crazy because this was actually Kanye’s song of choice at his Yeezy Season 5 fashion show in New York. On repeat too. You know Ye planned that shit, like he plans all of his moves. And then The Dream played “Rockin’ That Shit,” and I went straight into nostalgia.
This took me right back to high school. I pulled my girl to the way front, to the right side of the stage. My secret spot. I wanted to be as close as possible, without suffocating. “Fancy, “Right Side of My Brain,” “Seat It Out,” the list goes on. The-Dream was looking smooth as ever in his Givenchy shirt. The crowd started screaming after they recognized what song he was about to bless them with.
This tour was in light of Dream’s most recent EP, home to his single “Lemon Lean.” The crowd was reciting all the lyrics. I loved the pictures of lemons that came up on the screen behind him. It definitely reminded us of Queen Bey. Don’t quote me, but The-Dream might be as lit as Beyonce. His music speaks volumes.
AD LOADING...
Covering Jay Z’s “Holy Grail” literally had me in my feelings. What a beautiful track, covered by a beautiful voice. The-Dream could probably sing any song handed to him. His voice tonight was literally spot on. Not only is he amazing live, but he’s entertaining as well. He shouted out his daughter in attendance on VIP balcony, telling her to put on earmuffs before he performed “Put It Down.” The-Dream is so lit, he probably makes love to his music.
“Purple Kisses” is another track of gold. “IV Play” had El Rey getting freaky. The-Dream disappeared mid-show for a couple minutes and comes back out in a brand new outfit. Some blazer swag. He proceeded to play “My Love,” “I Luv Ya Girl” and “Shawty Is A Ten.” I teared up. Such good times bumping The-Dream back home in the bay.
He let everyone know he’s been doing this music thing for ten years now. Respect. He ended by singing Rihanna’s “Umbrella,” which he helped write. His encore: “Walkin’ On the Moon” featuring Ye. What a perfect (happy) ending.
Saturday, February 18
The day has finally come: Soulquarius, the R&B festival of the century. Literally, this lineup was everything you ever wanted, and then some. I saw Pretty Ricky on the lineup and had a moment. This was pure nostalgia (that seems to be the theme for the weekend). Hello, OC Observatory. Last time I was here was to see Gucci Mane’s (short) set at Beach Goth. Worth it.
AD LOADING...
Before we get to the actual festivities, I have to share with you all my fail of the day, maybe of the week. So, the other night, my brother had told me the 101 South ramp was closed leaving Hollywood, so I switched my Google maps to the “avoid highways” option. No joke, the entire day I was wondering why it kept saying the trip from L.A. to OC would be two hours. I figured, there was supposed to be a storm. So that means traffic. SMH.
I pull up and my homegirl (shout out to her) was wondering the same thing. Why’d it take so long? At that moment, I realized I had forgotten to switch the route options back to normal. I legit took the back roads all the way to Santa Ana, and it took two fucking hours. When I didn’t even want to drive an hour in the first place. Hi, I’m an idiot.
That being said, I missed a lot of the earlier sets. We pull up to one of the most popping venues in SoCal around 6:30 p.m., luckily, with a clear sky. It actually started sprinkling on our way out (during R. Kelly’s set). Thank you rain gods for blessing us. There were four stages, half indoor, half outdoor. This festival was completely sold out, which was evident the moment you entered. Literally, so. many. people. I’ve never felt so grateful having a media pass, shout out to Owen. He’s the best.
After waiting for DMX for a good 15 minutes, we realized, these set times were not accurate. Artists were over 30 minutes behind. Speaking with the ambitious festival-goers who came early af when doors were supposed to open, I find out most were miserable. They had to wait two plus hours to get inside the venue, standing in the rain. That would definitely have pissed me off as well. But hey, cut them some slack. This was the first year they were doing this, so I’m sure it was a lot of trial and error.
AD LOADING...
No one knew where anything was, but we managed to push our way to the front of the main stage outdoors for Ja Rule and Ashanti. I saw them twice on their last tour- their hits will always be fire. They were a crowd favorite for sure. Ashanti comes out looking like bae, and Ja Rule’s voice screaming “Murdaaaa” is one that will never be forgotten. Lloyd popping out for “Southside” was epic. That song gave me hope in love (in high school).
I had to run back inside to catch the main attraction: Pretty Ricky. If you don’t know who they are, then we have nothing in common. Jk. But really, I grew up to these four R&B superstars (of their time). My girl goes, “Which one is he?” Stop. I died. The photo pit had us real up close and personal, as the R&B boy band humped the air. “Playhouse” was my jam, along with “On The Hotline.”
Smh. They cut off their mics after 15 minutes. The crowd (mostly the ladies) was very upset. I was too. They didn’t even play “Grind With Me.” One of the members grabbed the roses they were probably going to hand a special lady, and threw that shit high in the air into the crowd. Another member threw the microphone down on stage with anger. Another member had on a Bad And Boujee shirt. #CULTURE.
Had to catch some of Mya before we mobbed back to the main stage to see the queen, Erykah Badu. She was the favorite on the bill. Many came out just to see her. I did the same exact thing at Tyler, The Creator’s Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival, so I totally understood.
AD LOADING...
I could not get over her outfit. Like, it was a completely distorted puffy outerwear coat, that somehow sit perfectly on her body. She also had on some kind of chin jewelry. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was pure gold. I was in the photo pit, and could not help but stare at the mayhem that ensued when Monica walked through. I texted my boss that people were acting like I would if Chris Brown walked through. Complete fangirl phenomena. He responded that Monica was his first girl crush. Lmao.
We were making moves. We mobbed back inside to see Baby Bash. Productivity is a way of life. We made it in perfect time to hear his hits: “Suga Suga” and “I’m Back” featuring Akon. Bringing out Frankie J for “Obsession” was the cherry on top.
Went back during Badu’s set, to find her still on stage. I saw a lot of the homies in the VIP section. Shout out to Flip Major and SuperDuperKyle chiefin’.
Had to mob inside to see Brandy. Tonight was just full of baes. We saw her perform “Full Moon,” “Top Of The World” featuring Mase, and “Sittin Up In My Room” before we decided to dip. It was cold and muddy. Thank goodness I wore my Uggs. We heard R. Kelly on our way out, who was playing a bunch of bangers that weren’t his lmao. Did you know they had a petition to ban him from the festival? Smh.
