Author: 2Blunt

Rolling Loud Miami 2023, held amid a year of struggling chart positions for Hip-hop, proved to be a triumphant testament to the genre’s enduring dominance and widespread appeal.

With an electrifying lineup featuring iconic artists like TRIPPY RED, DON T’OLIVER, NLE CHOPPA, THE CITY GIRLS, KODAK BLACK, LIL TJAY, A$AP ROCKY, TRAVIS SCOTT, LIL UZI VERT, and more, the festival treated fans to an unforgettable experience.
Despite a decrease in attendance compared to previous years, the show’s headliners, including PLAYBOI CARTI, TRAVIS SCOTT, and A$AP ROCKY, delivered stellar performances with boundless energy and captivating stage presence. This article dives into the highlights of Rolling Loud Miami 2023 and the celebration of Hip-hop culture it offered.

In 2023, Hip-hop faced its lowest charting year in nearly a decade, raising concerns about the genre’s future. However, Rolling Loud Miami 2023 proved that Hip-hop’s influence and popularity remain unwavering. The festival served as a vibrant showcase of the genre’s resilience, featuring top-tier artists who brought their A-game to the stage and reaffirmed Hip-hop’s position at the forefront of music culture.

The star-studded lineup of Rolling Loud Miami 2023 left no room for disappointment. Fans were treated to mind-blowing sets from a diverse range of artists, each bringing their unique style and charisma to the stage.

From the explosive energy of Travis Scott to the Booty Trap party Lil Uzi Vert brought to the stage, the performances were nothing short of spectacular. The festival was a testament to the versatility and artistry within the Hip-hop genre, showcasing its ability to captivate audiences with diverse tastes.

Established in 2015, Rolling Loud has grown to become one of the world’s largest and most celebrated music festivals, and its unwavering dedication to Hip-hop sets it apart. With every passing year, the festival continues to attract music enthusiasts from around the globe, drawn to the allure of witnessing their favorite artists perform live on one stage.

While previous editions of Rolling Loud Miami boasted an estimated 210,000 attendees in 2019, the 2023 event saw a notable decrease in numbers, with around 80,000 people in attendance. Despite this decline, the passion and enthusiasm of the fans who did attend remained unwavering. The atmosphere allowed for a personal and immersive experience, forging a lasting connection between the artists and their devoted fans.

To immortalize the magic of Rolling Loud Miami 2023, the festival organizers once again provided a fantastic video recording of each performance on YouTube. This gesture allowed those unable to attend the festival in person to relish the experience virtually and witness the incredible talent on display.

Several talented photographers were present at the festival, capturing the electrifying moments on stage and the contagious energy of the crowd. Their stunning photos showcased the essence of Rolling Loud Miami 2023 and added an artistic dimension to the festival’s narrative.

Rolling Loud Miami 2023 was a triumphant celebration of Hip-hop, reaffirming its unwavering dominance in the music world. Despite a challenging year for the genre, the festival’s star-studded lineup, electrifying performances, and dedicated fans created an unforgettable experience. Rolling Loud continues to be a beacon of Hip-hop culture, uniting artists and fans alike in an annual extravaganza that celebrates the genre’s enduring legacy. As the performances and memories from this year’s event continue to circulate virally, the influence of Rolling Loud Miami 2023 will undoubtedly resonate for years to come.

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  Photos by: @selfmadedanny @jordankelseyknight @creizycrei @eyesofd2 @tonyrichhhh  @antgonz0 @illwill17 📸 📷

This summer has been filled with a myriad of cultural attractions, and one particularly exciting highlight was the release of a movie that offered a truly unique viewer experience.

Marvel has been captivating superhero fans for generations, and this year, they treated us to a sequel that felt refreshingly novel. “SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE” presented a new direction for the Marvel brand.

While this is the second film in the “SPIDER-VERSE” series, featuring Miles Morales as Spider-Man, it felt remarkably distinct from other Marvel movies. Two key components set it apart: the animation format chosen and the fact that Miles is a black superhero. Both elements are relatively new for the Marvel team, bringing a fresh tone to the screen. The movie’s marketing recognized the opportunity to connect with the urban and hip-hop market.

Enter Metro Boomin..

Miles’ character was complemented by a soundtrack that perfectly embodied the spirit of this new SPIDER-VERSE. The highly regarded and relatively young music producer, Metro Boomin, was tasked with creating a sound for Miles and the new version of Spider-Man. Though it might not seem like a big deal, it truly is. The entire movie and its packaging exude hip-hop vibes.

The film and its soundtrack served as a platform that seamlessly blurred demographic lines. Miles, a black Hispanic teen from New York, brought a captivating energy to the screen. Metro Boomin curated an eclectic group of artists, blending Hip-hop, Afrobeats, reggaeton, and pop into a brilliant album. Listening to the soundtrack, you get a sense of traversing different worlds, as it’s hard to pinpoint a single genre. The album feels fresh and timeless, appealing to audiences of all ages.

It makes you contemplate the direction of American culture as a whole. Hip-hop has undeniably dominated the charts for the past couple of decades, but witnessing its influence in the world of film is truly exhilarating. We’ve had the POWER dynasty that 50 Cent created through STARS, marking a new turning point for Hip-hop and entertainment. However, a young Black superhero’s impact feels even more profound. While the Black Panther films hinted at Marvel’s awareness of their audience’s diversity, these Spider-Man movies further emphasize how dominant Hip-hop has become.

The soundtrack mainly features Hip-hop artists in their mid-20s. In contrast to Miles, who is 14, the music bridges the gap to connect with an older audience, making the movie even more appealing and offering a fresh experience, unlike anything previously released.

It truly feels like a new era is being ushered in—one that is more free, relaxed, and expressive. “SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE” was an exhilarating thrill that’s definitely worth experiencing. Kudos to Metro Boomin for providing a timeless album that all ages and demographics can enjoy. If you haven’t yet, we highly suggest you tune in and immerse yourself in the SPIDEY-VERSE and all its cultural richness!

Photos provided by @shotby_daniel 📸 📷

Drake had the entire city buzzing this week as his “It Was All Blur” tour made its mark in Boston. Tickets were expensive, but people from all over the region flocked to witness the 6 God’s performance.

The set design was simple yet visually stunning, leaving a lasting impression. With the BackOutsideBoyz by his side, Drake had everyone hyped and clearly at the peak of his career.
Of course, what’s a Drake show without the ladies going crazy for the Certified Lover Boy? Even those who couldn’t attend the concert caught glimpses through social media, as timelines were flooded with posts from the event.

The Canadian rapper graced Boston with his presence for two consecutive nights, giving those with excuses a chance to see him. The entire city seemed to revolve around Drake, as everything paused for his show. In a fitting move, he brought out 21 Savage to perform a few tracks from their latest project, “Her Loss.”

Boston marked the tour’s third stop, and Drake didn’t hesitate to show his appreciation for the city. On the first day, he had a doll, mistaken for a hologram, donning a Red Sox jersey, while he wore a Bruins’ jersey on the second day. He even had Jason Tatum emerge from the tunnel with him, driving the crowd wild.

The icing on the cake was Drake’s heartfelt story about performing at UMASS Lowell nearly two decades ago for just $1,200! He even wore the hoodie seen in Rihanna’s “What’s My Name” video.

The concert itself featured flying objects that heightened the experience. Drake had a flying UFO, a Grim Reaper figure, and a twerking, partially naked woman suspended in the air during parts of the show. It evoked a similar vibe to Meek Mill’s concert at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn a few years ago, blended with some of Kanye West’s iconic stage performances. It’s safe to say Drake learns from his rivals.

In any case, it was an incredible show. And while everyone went wild for it, it’s worth noting that T-Pain and Afrobeats sensation Davido were also in town this week, attracting sizable crowds to their respective concerts.

We wish Drake and the entire OVO team the best for the rest of the tour! We’re sure there will be more unforgettable moments and massive successes to come. “Six God lurkin’… come out that booth and bring that energy in person.”

photo credits goes to @photobyastral 📸 📷

Over the past few years, the Boston community has shown a united effort to promote culture and social activities. This article focuses on the 14 League and the individuals driving this movement.

As Boston undergoes physical changes, its culture is also evolving. The emergence of new venues and nightclubs in the seaport area exemplifies the fresh vibes in Boston. It appears that the city is actively appealing to young adults to make the town more dynamic and captivating.

This summer, numerous events are taking place, including festivals, concerts, nightlife, and sporting events. The city seems dedicated to catering to the overall cultural scene in town.

While Boston has always been known for its competitive sports teams, Aiden Marshall, Trey Davis and Marcus Smart are revolutionizing the scene with a unique sporting event for the city.

The first tournament of the 14 League took place this past weekend. The league offers a fresh take on competitive basketball, attracting professionals from various backgrounds within the sport to compete for a $20,000 prize. We had the opportunity to interview Aiden Marshall, one of the people responsible for organizing the event. He shared some insights about himself and explained the motivation behind the tournament.

Aiden hails from Marlborough, MA, a town near Boston, where his love for basketball developed. As a youngster, he played for the local AAU team and occasionally volunteered for tasks like keeping score.
His passion for the sport extended to basketball apparel and fashion. By the time Aidan reached high school, he was designing custom sneakers for his classmates and anyone interested. This trade honed Aiden’s business acumen.

Aiden’s custom sneakers opened doors for him to collaborate with prominent sneaker boutiques in Boston, such as Concepts. Through partnerships, Aiden expanded his craft beyond the local community and into the broader Boston area.

Through his sneaker ventures and his passion for basketball, Aiden had the opportunity to meet Trey Davis, a Texas native, European basketball player and founder of YGC Global. Aiden met Trey while he was at the University of Massachusetts.
YGC Global is a clothing brand that emerged during the Covid epidemic. The aim of the brand is to connect people through basketball and fashion. Marcus Smart, a former Celtics player, joined forces with Trey in this endeavor. Smart uses the full acronym as his Instagram handle @youngamechanger. 

During a trip to New York’s legendary Rucker Park, where they attended the annual TBT Tournament, the trio felt inspired to bring a similar event back to Boston. Combining Trey’s love for the sport, Marcus’ NBA exposure, and Aiden’s business savvy, the trio conceived The 14 League. The number 14 holds significance because 6+1+7 (Boston’s area code?) equals 14, and Marcus Smart was drafted in 2014.

The inaugural 14 League tournament took place on July 1st and 2nd at the Dana Barros Basketball Gym in Stoughton, MA. While basketball was the central focus, Aiden was keen on incorporating music and fashion into the show. One of the 14 League’s main objectives was to connect people not only through sports but also through music and fashion.

The event was hosted by the charismatic Herv Gotti (@successismycologne) and Chin (@chingotjuice). DJ Famous (@musicbyfamous) provided the music, and the lineup included acts such as AVENUE (@avenueblvd), MS. $PEAKS (@nay-speaks), LUKE BARS (@lukebars), MOSA (@heartbreakmosa), and KEI (@keiweifruit).

Overall, the event was a resounding success, offering entertainment and a platform for networking and connecting with others. Aiden shared some plans for next year and left us with the impression that the 14 League is just getting started and will continue providing more events for the community in the future!

We’d like to congratulate Aiden and his team for coming up with the idea and putting together their first successful tournament. We are excited about the direction the city is going in are looking forward to seeing what the 14 League as in store for the community!

Shout out to @emartinezflics, @sjp2ca_lowermills, @50cal_tur for the great flicks of the event! 💯💯🎞️📸

Catherine T. Morris has done it again by putting together Boston Arts & Music Soul festival for the fifth consecutive year. This time around BAMSfest was ment with rain showers, ponchos and a healthy crowd of people from all over.

Vendors, musical acts and an audience alike came to Franklin Park to enjoy the festivities. The crowd was a diverse group of wellness and cultural fans coming to enjoy themselves in a celebration of community and joy.

The whole festival went from Thursday June 23 to Saturday the 24th, both days at Franklin park. The festival hosted vendors of all ages and genres, dance workshops, sponsored drinks, two stages with back to back acts and food trucks, and that’s just to name a few attractions.
Can’t forget the kids zone where parents could leave kids to play under supervision and the street artists that we’re creating murals throughout the event.

BAMSfest is not only a festival but also a non-profit that is focused on helping black individuals and organizations make it through hardships and attempting to “create ‘a knowledge-passing mechanism’ between Boston artist [installing] a sense of community and solidity” as Julian E.J. Sorapuru described in The Boston Globe.
It is said that thousands of artists apply to perform at BAMSfest every year but only a few out of the thousands are chosen.

This years artist included Nate Nics, kei, and Notebook P., The Visionaries, Tori Tori, headliner Grand Master Flash and more!

Kara Elliott-Ortega from the mayor’s chief arts and culture office said, “spaces aren’t truly public until we feel welcome there, like we can be ourselves, and truly relax and enjoy each other and our culture. BAMS is actively creating that sense of belonging.”

The crowd was a good sport as they communed together in commerce and beverage, ponchos out and all. Climax of the night is when DJ GRAND MASTER FLASH blared ‘Can I kick it?!’ Through the speakers.
Shout out to Catherine for putting together a great festival, we don’t get enough of them in the city! Big salute to @theblueprint39_ for providing the awesome pictures featured in this blog!

SLEEPY HALLOW set a four show tour where he stopped by BIG NIGHT LIVE in Boston on May 11th, 2023 for his third show.

The New York drill scene has been going crazy since 2018 and many people would credit WINNERS CIRCLE ENTERTAINMENT for helping establish the sound. With both SHEFF G and ELI FROSS stuck behind them bars, SLEEPY HALLOW is looked at as the front runner for the team.

Since we last linked up with SLEEPY he has dropped two projects; mixtape  SLEEPY FOR PRESIDENT and STILL SLEEP? a full studio album.
SLEEPY has also recently dropped a track for an audience that’s has been gravitating towards him, the ladies. The track ‘MARIE’ has the smooth laid back SLEEPY that the fans love.

Don’t get it twisted though, he is a rowdy one, as SLEEPY was in the news last year for throwing chairs at a restaurant in New Jersey during a brawl.
Through his music you get a real feel of SLEEP’s personality and where he is in life. In his recently released track ‘2 Minutes of Pain’, there’s a fire sample of a throwback Raggae track which sets a perfect tone for SLEEPY, as he delivers a track that is more like what we are used to hearing from him.

Last year, Spotify drop an exclusive on their RADAR segment where they interviewed SLEEPY HALLOW and gave the audience a chance to get an authentic feel of how he feels about his career. As mentioned earlier, SLEEP’s charismatic counterpart, SHEFF G is in jail and in the interview you really get the impression that SLEEP is trying to keep his head straight and stay out of trouble.

Focused on music we hope that SLEEPY HALLOW keeps dropping good projects. It feels like he his gearing up to put one out as he has a song that came out a little whiles back, ‘Die Young’ ft 347aidam. The song has a commercial appeal and would serve well as a single.
Who knows though, we’ll see. For now we’ll say FREE SHEFF G and ELI FROSS and just hope for more good music from WINNERS CIRCLE ENTERTAINMENT.

photo cred: @tonyrichhh 📷 📸

It has been said that getting notable attention nation wide is hard for artist in Massachusetts. However over the past several years a few artists have been knocking on the door of superstardom. BLANCO, the artist known as MILLYZ, is the focus of this article.

MILLYZ has been putting in work for years. Watching his interview on POWER 105.1’s BREAKFAST CLUB really put that in perspective. From the first night we seen him at that old club, CAPRICE downtown in 2011, all the way to his Cinco de Mayo homecoming concert at House of Blues Boston. Cambridge’s own MILLYZ really has come a long way.

Snatched up by JADAKISS and his SO RASPY team, MILLYZ is aiming to make a real impact in the industry. JADA accompanied the Cambridge star to POWER 105.1’s BREAKFAST CLUB earlier that week. During the interview,  they both illustrated how much work they have been putting in to make good music for those who love real Hiphop, Hiigh Level Rap, if you will.

Last time we checked in with MILLYZ he had just put out BLANCO 4. It’s early May ‘23 and BLANCO 6 has been in rotation for a few weeks now. You can hear the progress MILLYZ has been making in his music. As his confidence grows his music and delivery improves. Every song on his latest project resonates especially if your into introspective rap.

On May 5th, 2023 BLANCO kicks off his MILLYZ AND FRIENDS Tour at House of Blues Boston and he truly couldn’t have picked a better venue. The place, of course, was sold out_ packed to the brim with fans from all over New England ready and eager to see the potentially biggest artist coming from the Boston area.

With a new fire project out gaining spins and an arsenal of tracks in the vault, MILLYZ was more than prepared to put on a good show. To up the ante, BLANCO brought a few other recording artist to the stage with him in order to deliver an even more enjoyable show for those in attendance.

That boy from Marion, ALBEE AL came out to perform Risk Takers with MILLYZ a few other tracks. AL didn’t disappoint as he delivered that energy that he is so well known for. It’s dope to see the MASS/ JERSEY link up like that before they both respectfully really blow. Don’t sleep, we’ve been keeping tabs on ALBEE since 2019 when he was on bail.  Go check out KODA if you haven’t yet! He’s a great storyteller and keeps his audience engaged.

DAVE EAST is a more notable artist that hit the stage that night. EAST and MILLYZ have been linking up for projects since about early 2020 and dropped a full featured album last year rightfully titled Pablo & Blanco. The MASS APPEAL RECORDS artist, EAST, has been making noise since 2010 and feels like a great person for MILLYZ to work with to help transition into the game.

It was a star studded event for the Boston local scene. Other than JOYNER LUCAS and BIA, no other artist has been bringing as much energy and attention to the city as MILLYZ. It was great to see him HOB Boston and awesome to see how much support he got from other local artist. GIO DEE came out to perform his track with MILLYZ, entitled Love/ Hate (side note; Check out our video playlist to see the official music video!). DTHEFLYEST came out to play too, but stayed low key.

All in all it was a great night for the Boston HipHop scene. We’re sure MILLYZ AND FRIENDS will continue to sell out throughout the tour which is just awesome to think about. We wish MILLYZ and the rest of the performs prosperity, peace and more success throughout the tour.

Photo cred: @scoobzfrmboston + @isaacremsenphoto 📷📸

It’s late April and the cool spring air has people ready to come out and enjoy the city. RED BULL has been hosting dance competitions across the nation and picked great Friday to put on a free show for all who love seeing high packed energy dance offs.

The competition was located at City Hall Plaza down by Government Center. Side note, it’s nice seeing how much the city has changed! All the new buildings got Boston looking and feeling great on a cool night.
RED BULL made two great picks in host to guide the pretty big audience through the show. Mr. #140 on BOSTON MAGAZINE’s 150 Most Influential Bostonian List DJ Real P was accompanied by the beautiful Melisa ‘MELI’ Valdez, who is normally an in-arena host for the Celtics, were hired to do the job and they did a great one!

The show was well orchestrated and entertaining to watch. It was bracket style, one on one dance offs, red versus blue, winner advances.
The show included a neat way for the audience to interact while voting. Everyone was given a light up bracelet upon entry, after every round the audience would vote for their chosen winner by raising their bracelet in the air glowing in the color of their choosing, red or blue.


The show lasted several hours and had participants from all over the nation. The creative moves and at time intense competition between the dancers kept the crowd engaged and participating throughout the night.


Shout out to TRIGGERHOUSE who did a fantastic job with the stage set up and the lighting. DJs Big Bear and Young Paul worked the music all night and made some great selections for the dancers and the audience alike to rock too.
The show was a great time! Big up to Berk, marketing director over at RED BULL for putting the event together. Shout to out everyone who participated and to those who came out to vibe!

Dwayne Michael Cater, JR began performing at the young age of 12 years old and 28 years later he his still blessing us with his presence on stage. On April 13, 2023 the self proclaimed biggest Red Sox fan, LIL WAYNE stopped by the House of Blues Boston for his Welcome to tha Cater tour.

The CASH MONEY/ YOUNG MONEY Entertainment tycoon graced the city with a full set of performance tracks delivered with the energy only LIL WAYNE himself can provide. The legendary artist performed about 30 songs and left the audience with a lasting impression.

The venue was sold out and pack with Weezy fans, providing a great atmosphere to welcome the 5 time Grammy award winning artist.

The city has been hosting a lot of great concerts as of late. But this one was definitely one for the books. It’s great to see after all these years LIL WAYNE is still a force to be reckoned with, even while sporting pajamas and a sweater with a Pokémon on it. Lol

@bizulas x @emilygardnerx x @besakof 📸📷