I guess you can consider this a part one of two on Schoolz Out.
Thing is, it's not even about Schoolz Out.
I'm an observer by nature and often times if I plan to review a show or speak anything on it, I pay close attention to the crowd and the reaction.
People let you know the most about a show, the performances could be flawless but if a crowd is not reacting the show is a failure.
Last night, Schoolz Out was bananas (No Donkey Kong), you wouldn't think that the event was announced a week ago, wall to wall was packed with people.
One thing I wish people would learn is show etiquette, so I guess these are my five rules to events.
1)
You are not too cool to dance: At EVERY show you have the girls that are too pretty to dance in fear they'll sweat out their Remi Velvet and MAC made faces and the guys with the "I'm too fly for this sh*t" attitude. If you're going to be like that why go? People like that bother me for the simple fact many are disguised as haters not all of them but a lot of them. They'll spend the night in the corner whispering about the show, saying the music was wack, complaining about seating, talking about people as they walk past and then speak when they're in their face. They really bring down the show and in the end they try to figure out if they can get an autograph.
2)
Who you know doesn't matter: I saw this so much at the Mike Posner/Big Sean show I helped with in February and again last night. The thing I want people to realize is no matter how much you like them or are a fan of them or if you checked them out while you were at Target, they're local artists who know a lot of people. So while you may have shared a box of crayons in kindergarten with them, the next person shared their sandwich. Everyone can't get a backstage hookup and many people don't even deserve the hellos they're getting (those would be the people who only come around when it benefitted them). Truth of the matter is, CLOSE friends, family, the people they do business with or they plan on smashing/partying with at the end of the night are the ones that are going to be taken care of. It's nothing personal, strictly business.
3)
Smoker's etiquette: While Michigan has a ban on smoking in clubs and bars and such last night a few people sparked up. Though I hate smelling like someone's pipe, if you are allowed to smoke in a venue by all means be respectful. This means do not blow smoke rings in the face of the person next to you and try not to burn me with the tip of your blunt as you hack up half your lung because you can't handle the purp you're toking on. Physically respect the people you're smoking around if you're not going to mention to them that you're sparking up.
4)
There's a time and place: It's true you never know which moment is going to be YOUR moment, but sometimes just enjoy yourself. I'm used to going to events and coming back with mixtapes or fliers or hearing of someone new, usually I'm pretty ok with that. I do think there is a time and place for all that though; you can judge an event and know how you should approach it. Schoolz Out was just that, the perfect way to end the school year, just to relax, chill and enjoy the music. It really wasn't the place to hand out your mixtape and give a quick bio of yourself. Nine times out of ten, the person you're speaking to, isn't listening and is just trying to enjoy the show. Learn to recognize body language, sometimes conducting business at events is inevitable even when you're off the clock, word to
Six. Don't try to hog a lot of time, get the necessary contact information and follow up the next day. Sweet simple and less stressful.
5)
Respect the floor space: At events like this where capacity is hit, your personal space belongs to the person to the left, right, front and back of you. In short, you have none. Understand that I, just like you, don't want to be stuck in a square barely breathing in fear my breasts are going to push the gentleman in front of me over. I'm just like you, here to see artists I like and just have a good time, nobody wants to pick a fight with you and giving every person trying to walk past (whether they are trying to do their job or not) a hard time is not ok and makes you look like a tool. So, stand quiet, chug one if you're of age and try to enjoy yourself and if the bumping gets TOO much for you, just slip out to the back of the crowd, it's that easy.
Video Blog on the actual show coming soon :-)
Happy Saturday
-Alex Washington
the Finally Famous camp by way of Jwan. Currently Jwan has been working on his upcoming mixtape 'Me & My Band' and from what I've been told that's getting ready to drop sometime soon. What's interesting (to me) about this track is that it's a R&B track, and I can honestly say I wasn't expecting it to be. Did I know he could sing? yes. Was I expecting an entire song of him singing? no. I am anxious to see what the mixtape is going to be like. Many artists can't pull off varying between singing and rapping, do you think Jwan can?
If you didn't know that, then I bet you REALLY didn't know that two of Detroit's own (and favorites) Big Sean and DJ Mo Beatz are both in the running for this, I guess, honor. The winner gets to share the stage with the likes of Chrisette Michele, Keri Hilson and The Dream on the Sept. 8, BET special. Now here's the tough part, picking your favorite between the two. Shadyville's DJ Mo Beatz spins for FM 98 WJLB, has DJ'ed around the world and just so happens to be Big Sean's DJ. Now Big Sean is signed to Kanye's G.O.O.D. Music Label and Island Def Jam and he just released the official video for his buzz single "Getcha Some." I guess if you're really determined you can use two different computers and multiple e-mails to vote. They are the only two representing Detroit and in my personal opinion they BOTH deserve the opportunity.
