2011 Summer Jam: The Year Of The Boss & His Body!

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I had forgotten how Summer Jam pretty much takes you through every human emotion possible all in a 12 hour hip-hop marathon, you start at excitement for event go through stress (press getting the perfect shot) touch on embarrassment (when Diddy gets on stage in an all white track-suit) a little disappointment ( no Kanye appearance) definite shock (when Waka took a shot at Jeezy) and end walking out with only one feeling extreme exhaustion.

With appearances from Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, Drake, Chris Brown, Fabolous, Diddy, Wiz Khalifa, Waka Flocka Flame, Lil Twist, Kelly Rowland, Olivia, Mobb Deep, Lloyd Banks, singer Lloyd, and quite possibly every single person ever affiliated with Dipset (including small children fingers crossed that little boy was related to Juelz)

Instead of bringing you on the emotional roller coaster I endured yesterday.  I’ll give you my top highs and lows of the event.

  1. LOWEST of the lows- No Jeezy, No Kanye, No 50, and NO HOVA. I know it may sound greedy with all the artists I saw yesterday, but you’re in NY (well Jersey but you know) and there have been so many historic moments from past Summer Jams I kept hope throughout the entire show, finally gave up during Ross’ last song.
  2. Both figurative and literal low- Waka’s pants. C’mon son! Pick either forcing the crowd to see you shirtless, which is painful enough, or your ratchet looking behind in those briefs.
  3. Chris Brown’s on stage lap dance left me scanning the crowd to see if anyone else was looking as uncomfortable as I felt. I hate to use this word, but it seemed a little forceful on Breezy’s side, taking out some pent up aggression on a fan now Chis?
  4. I don’t know if the following is a high or a low but it was definitely memorable. As expected, Dipset didn’t show up alone but I was surprised they brought ALL of Harlem with them (can you image how deserted Harlem had to be during that performance). There had to be over 100 people on that stage, and I know y’all are not a part of Dipset, I had trouble spotting out the member rapping during the songs.
  5. Waka Flocka Flame handed out the first shocking moment of the night which surprisingly was not a guest appearance. Waka really took a shot at Jeezy, looking around the press box everyone not only did a double take but had to start asking if they heard him correctly. “N*ggas talking about the real is back. If it ain’t Brick Squad, it ain’t real.” –Waka
  6. My NY moment of the night came when Mobb Deep jumped on the stage during Llyod Banks’ set and performed  “Shook Ones Pt. II.” Who remembers 10 years ago at Summer Jam when Jay-Z showed a childhood picture of Prodigy of Mobb Deep, dressed for dance class in a leotard?
  7. Worst, most disappointing, and most embarrassing guest appearance all rolled into one man, congrats Diddy you earned it. For some reason Rick Ross brought out Diddy during his set for “Hustle Hard (remix).” I just don’t understand, not only is Diddy on his auto-tune singing lately, but he looked like he was trying to relive the 90’s in the track suit when it would have been sense for him to be on that stage.
  8. Best song performance of the night goes to Ricky Rozzay, Weezy, Drake, and DJ Khaled for “I’m On One.” The crowd, the performers, basically all of New Meadowlands was hyped up and going hard on this joint, I don’t think one person who attended Summer Jam would disagree with me on this.
  9. Rick Ross won Summer Jam. I was surprised that Rick Ross was coming on last, not because I didn’t think he should be headlining but I thought Weezy had the better spot because come 10pm that crowd is done, they have been drinking, fighting, going HAM since 2pm and are ready to go home. With that being said, Ross rocked that nearly impossible crowd to the last song. I salute you Ricky Rozzay and anyone who wants to argue about you being on top show them your bank account you big bearded, big belly success.
  10. Fashion Fail of the day: Ryan Leslie wearing empty gun holsters? Yeah he did.

– Over heard by anonymous during Mister Cee’s set, “Ummm… Did Mr. Cee really just play ‘I was getting some he*d’?” #tears

To rap it up this year’s Summer Jam was definitely something to talk about, but I think the most eye opening conclusion I walked away with was the evident shift in hip-hop power displayed this year. From the days ruled by Jay-Z, 50 Cent and Kanye West, to the younger, Southern, and more united front of rappers that conquered this year’s Summer Jam. (Wouldn’t have happened if any of you showed up like I asked Jay, 50, Ye!)

Special shout out to photographer genius Ernest Estime for the dope pictures click here for more of his Summer Jam pictures.

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