The first annual Vibe MusicFest kicked off at Atlanta’s Georgia Dome yesterday to a crowd of approximately 2,000. The three-day music event was hosted by Doug E. Fresh and comedian, Tommy Davidson, who managed to keep the crowd entertained in between acts that included Bay Area songstress Keyshia Cole, Atlanta crooners 112, Lyfe and Amerie, who gave a less than stellar performance to a fairly silent crowd.
Although the promotional recording outside the venue proclaimed “Key-on West” as among the talent to see, the Grammy-winning artist, Kanye West earned nothing but respect when he took the stage to close the show. With their dynasty hand symbols raised high in the air, the crowd rocked along with West as he performed some of his more notable hits, with John Legend (who delivered a spirited rendition of his latest single, “So High” in what was among the best performances of the night) on piano.
But the highlight of the West’s show was undoubtedly when he brought out rap vet, Common, who animatedly performed his gritty street hit, “The Corner,” “Go!” and “They Say” off of his critically-acclaimed release Be. Freestyling, he urged Hip Hop artists to return to making “good music”—making a subtle reference to the Ying Yang Twins raunchy “Whisper Song” by whispering part of his rhyme— causing the crowd to erupt in to energetic cheers.
Other performers included Bad Boy’s hyper-active version of B2K, B5 who lip-synced their ill-advised pre-teen remake of Troop’s classic “All I Do.”
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The Vibe MusicFest continues today with numerous panels throughout the afternoon that will include Rev. Al Sharpton and Chuck D. There will be another concert tonight featuring Ludacris, T.I., Lauryn Hill, Faith, Big Boi and a Bob Marley Tribute.
