While astronomers and physicist will disagree, Memorial Day is seen as the beginning of the summer season the world over. Since about the time I was 18, my favorite part of the summer has been concerts (You got me, I am a DAMN lie. My favorite part of the summer is sun dresses BAR NONE, but you'll all probably hear too much about me and women in this space already.) It's no big secret that promoters are targeting those in that prized 18-49 demographic that have the time and disposable income to attend concerts sponsored by "BIG LIQUOR COMPANY" or "MOVIE COMAPNY AFFILIATED TO RECORD COMPANY" with co-sponsors "ARTIST RELATED GENRE MAGAZINE" and "BIG SUMMER MOVIE" and "THIS YEAR'S 'HOT' CLOTHING LINE" or "LOCAL AFFILIATE OF LARGE MEDIA (RADIO) CONGLOMERATE). Aside from seeing artist that I want to see live, this is always a great place to see artist on the come up. I'll never forget seeing an underwhelming Jay-Z open for The Fugees at the Penn Relays or "Hey That's That Girl I Tried to Mack on From My English Class" open for The Roots. Samplers are in abundance (not that the internet has not made these all but moot) and then there are the women. This has been hit and miss. On the one hand, you have someone with whom you KNOW you have at least ONE thing in common. On the other, you run into many obstacles such as: 1) Utter lack of women. Hip hop shows are swordfights. You often get 2 or 3 worthwhile pursuits and you don't even want to bother them because it's at best difficult to NOT come off as a scavenger since they have been hit on BY EVERY GUY THERE ALL NIGHT LONG. 2)Couples. Casual told you all in 1993 "It aint my fault that your girl got caught . . .” I agree that it's disrespectful for some dude's girl to be checking out The Champ when ol' boy busted his back paying for concert tickets, but hey, that's a 2 way street. I might have checked your bunny out (if she's proper you should be glad that people are looking. Disrespect does not occur until one starts talking in my humble opinion) but if she's continually staring or talking about she knows me from somewhere (when she DAMN sure DOESN'T), what do you want me to do?? On the flip side, there are few more heart breaking things than seeing a gorgeous pretty brown round at the bathroom/bar/concession area, grabbing your nuts and standing tall, then having her tell you that she's there with someone. 3)Haters. Yes the term "hatin'" or "hater" has become the most overused and misused term of the millennium, but they do exist. EVERY woman has a hatin ass girlfriend. I'm not going to go too far into this right now because I've been crafting a GEM that I'm going to drop on you all in a few weeks, but rest assured, there are haters out there waiting to throw salt in the game. Enough of that though, let’s get to this summer's concerts as will be attended by The Champ:Common -NYC May 24 SOBs- The artist formerly known as Sense is back. With the ghost of Baduism having been exorcised, this great MC is getting back on track wit a new album and summer tour. I will be attending night 2 of a 2 night album release extravaganza. I was fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of what is to come when he opened for Jill Scott at Radio City Music Hall in March during her tour supporting her album (sponsored by Alize). This promises to be an A+ event. The Fatman is getting his sandalwood and nag champa ready!!!!Eric Roberson/Billy Miles -NYC June 9 SOBs- Now that Raheem has an album on course for major label release, I will adorn Eric Roberson with the title of Nicest R&B Cat That You Don't Know About But Need to Get Familiar With Before He Blows! Eric is known in industry circles for songs that he's written for 112, Jill Scott and Carl Thomas and is doing a hell of a job creating his own buzz. No release date yet for a solo project, but be on the look out. He's been making the rounds from city to city holding R&B showcases. Brian McKnight/Gerald LeVert/New Edition/Raheem Devaughn -NYC June 10 Madison Square Garden- I told yall to get up on Raheem, now look what yall done made him do?? This ought to be a VERY GOOD look for him leading up to his June 21 album release. Everyone else on this our has put out albums in the last 7 or so months that have gone wood or less but all have very solid reputations for their live show (hence being at MSG with tickets selling FAST). Live performances have been the bread and butter for New Edition (I hope the rest of you got as much enjoyment out of their Behind The Music as I did) through out the years and The Fatman will be growing his beard out to get some of that Gerald LeVert runoff. It's been no secret that The Fatman sees himself as second only to Gerald LeVert when it comes to Big and Tall Sex Symbol Status, but please take note, The Fatman is taking singing lessons. Be afraid LeVert, be VERY afraid. Chaka Khan -HARLEM June 12 Apollo Theater- That's right, I'll be walking to this one. In my own back yard one for the GREATEST voices that has ever blessed music will perform. I saw her last in Rochester a few years ago and she can STILL blow (although breaks between songs will be needed)!!! If I don't take my god-mother to this, I will be on the prowl for a retiree with a STRONG 401(k) and or severance package! John Legend and Lyfe Jennings -June 18 Central Park Summer Stage- This is a wildcard. The Fatman told you a long time ago about John Legend, long before Ordinary People got play on the radio like a Jay Z song. It's not that I don't want to see him (or 5 time Apollo champ Lyfe Jennings), because I do it's just that on that same day at the low, low price of free .99 . . . Brand Nubian, Little Brother, Rhymefest and Lela James -June 18 Brooklyn- It is because I so enjoy Brand Nubian and LB that I am considering passing up what will be the most popular summer stage concert of the summer. This will be quite the sword fight but I have ALWAYS supported Brand Nu and LB (if you think that I am heavy handed about Raheem, you would have thought that I was an outright prick about LB when their shit dropped.) so seeing them for free at the same time no less will be quite the day! I can pass on JL with good conscious because I am sure that I will be seeing him at least one other time this summer and this will be a DAMN good show (although there ill not be ONE sundress in attendance.) If you don't own atleast 3 Brand Nubian Records (solo efforts included) and The Listening, don't talk to me when you see me or I'm gonna get on some high school ish and start smacking cats for breathing. Cassandra Wilson -NYC June 24 Central Park Summer Stage- One of the greatest Jazz vocalist of our time. If you don't know, GET FAMILIAR.
The Roots, De La Soul and MF DOOM -June 28 Central Park Summer Stage- Ahhh, when this was announced, it was like heaven. 3 of my favorites together one summer night in a venue with GREAT acoustics. This will be the epitome of all of the swordfights that I will attend this summer but that will be okay. The Fatman can be about the music on this night. The Roots have NEVER disappointed in my many years of seeing them live nor has De La. MF Doom is the wildcard here as I have not seen him perform since he went by the moniker Zeb Love X and performed in the group KMD. His shit bangs well though, so I can't see him being wack on stage. If you do not have LEGITIMATE copies of The Tipping Point, The Grind Date and MM Food, you should be drawn and quartered.
Digable Planets -NYC July 7 Irving Plaza- Yes you read that right. This concert is being billed as the return of Digable Planets. Before folks said that the guys should quit rapping and the girl should go solo about The Fugees, it was Ladybug Mecca that folks wished would drop the dead weight. This show is at one of my favorite venues in the city and has "and friends" billed. Could "and friends" be some unsigned-god-I-Got-Skills-Son-My-Shit-Is-Next-To-Blow cats?? maybe, could it be some known cats?? Maybe. Whatever the case may be, I will be there to report the details. Various -Rochester July 16-17 Rochester City Music Festival-The reason that I could possible go to a sword fight and not Summer Stage. John Legend, Common and many others will be at what has been in my experience a great 2 day event. This is for the most part a can't miss (after 3pm on each day). Jagged Edge may be 4 of the most non-descript negroes on the planet (112 being the other 4 . . . quick, name all 4 members of either group . . . didn't think so) but they can sing. I take issue with some of their subject matter (not that I am going to get on the soap box and preach about the virtues of marriage but "we ain't gettin' no younger we might as well do this . . ."?) but THERE'S GONNA BE SUNDRESSES THERE!!! Musiq -NYC B.B. Kings July 30- Old Dead Eye is back. I guess The Carter Administration is seeing fit to release an album from the artist formerly known as SoulChild, that or he's trying to get his weight back up. I really wasn't feeling this cat in the beginning but he grew on me. Saw him perform in the Superdome at the Essence Music Festival (if you're a heterosexual male, you owe it to yourself to go TRUST ME!) and he won me over. 3 solid albums from son, I am not mad. Except at the utter lack of promotion that was given to his last album. At least 3 songs that could have gotten MAJOR radio play and taken this cat to the next level that went unreleased. Whatever the case is, The Fatman may have to find him a bunny to snuggle with that night as ODE croons. That's about it so far, I am sure that there are a few more things that have not been released to public knowledge yet (HARLEM WEEK, South Street Seaport, free concerts in city parks - Just as a quick aside, is it REALLY any wonder why I love New York??) as well as some shows out of state that will become mid summer missions (Philly, John Legend July 23rd, I may be there, DC I am sure will host some PIFF, and SUN DRESSES). There are also a few things about which I am still on the fence. For one, June 25th NYC Beacon Theater Kem, Rahsaan Patterson and Fantasia. I fux with Kem and Rahsaan HARD, but I am having a difficult time conceiving the notion of paying to see the woman that brought us 'Baby Mama'. I mean, I love these other cats and this would be a hell of a date, but she may be in line RIGHT after the Ying Yang twins of People That I Will Hang At High Noon On The Steps Of The Supreme Court When I Run The Country. (Just for good measure, anyone that had anything to do with Oh Drama! or most things on BET are not far behind). It's an internal struggle. So, if you like what I like (good performers, not too big venues, SUN DRESSES) get with The Champ. Got some recommendations, get at me, I'm all ears. Extra Tickets?? I'm with that too! Lets get these drinks and LGOTH!!!**Let's Get On These Honies
