Boston isn’t a city known for its urban entertainment. We’ve been know to be a title town or university city among other things. But when it comes to night life and the music scene, Boston is a place that rarely comes up in conversation. The tides appear to be changing around here though. Artists like BIA, FELIX! and MILLYZ are making industry moves, and the fact that Boston is a stop on almost every major tour are testaments to Boston’s impact in the entertainment sector outside of sports. The casino Encore, restaurants and various clubs throughout the city have proven to provide great entertainment as they are frequent by Celtics players and celebrities from different domains of entertainment. It really feels like there has been a collective push to focus on adult recreation and entertainment here in Boston.

Among all the new things to do in Boston are festivals. Since mayor Wu took office here in Boston in 2021, there has been a push to focus on Boston’s neighborhoods. Grants and allocation funds were given out to help facilitate some of the cities most anticipated festivals. BAMS Fest was one of those highly anticipated events. This is the second year the festival is being held and this year the event appeared to have grown in attendance and participation.

The event was headlined by BJ THE CHICAGO KID and underground legend RASPODY and had a catalog of local acts as performers.

One of those supporting acts was Boston rapper NAY SPEAKS. NAY boasts in one of the commercials for BAMS Fest describing her life as a “beautiful resistance” because she choses to “resist through art”. She goes on to explain that the community aspect of the festival is what she likes most about BAMS Fest. Speaking of community, NAY brought up two local Boston acts to perform with her during her set. Those two artists were South End representative AVENUE and “Boston’s Baby” Slicc Bae.

Less than two weeks later, another festival graced the streets of Boston. This too was at Franklin Field and it was a celebration of LBGQ Pride in the black community. The event was managed by local artist SAAFYR who performed and was also in charge of talent management. The event was hosted by Amanda Shay who is a spoken word artist, an educator and a self proclaimed “artivist”. The performance line up featured a list of local acts and was headlined by SAUCY SANTANA.

It’s awesome to have so much going on this summer here in Boston. Entertainment and recreation seems to be running abundantly in the city has given its residents a diverse array of things to do. It’s nice to see the push for activities within the neighborhoods of Boston. Keep an eye out for other upcoming festivals and tournaments going on at your local park there is more going on than you may think.

Photo cred: @bamsfest @deborahjkarsonphotography 📸📷

Summer has just started, and the city is more than ready for the heat. Last Monday, the Celtics defeated the Dallas Mavericks in Game Five of the NBA Finals. It was a gentleman’s sweep and felt extra special because they closed out the series at home. The celebration in the city began then and peaked on Friday, when more than a million people came out for the victory parade. Fans from all over Massachusetts gathered to catch a glimpse of the Celtics squad and celebrate the national victory. Swarms of people dressed in green flooded the streets for miles as the famous Duck Boats carried the national champions. Despite the massive crowd, everyone got along amicably, and there was a strong feeling of unity and pride in being a Celtics fan and part of such a wonderful city. Winning their 18th NBA Finals banner, the Boston Celtics now hold the most championships in the league. This victory was particularly special as the last championship was back in 2008, with the legendary lineup of Rajon Rondo, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Kendrick Perkins. Fast forward to 2024, the Celtics were dubbed the best team in the NBA long before becoming the season’s champions. It was thrilling to see Jayson Tatum hoist the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy on the float, accompanied by Finals MVP Jaylen Brown, veteran Al Horford, Jrue Holiday (celebrating his second ring, the first with the Milwaukee Bucks), and Derrick White, who even got his tooth fixed before the parade. The rest of the squad was there too, along with some familiar faces from the city. Amid the Celtics’ celebrations, this past weekend saw several notable shows and events. A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie performed at TD Garden the day before the parade, drawing a crowd of 20,000 people. This was a significant step up from his previous college shows. The show lineup also included NLE Choppa who has a steady fan base and has been appealing to young ladies. Mid-performance, A Boogie brought out local favorite Millyz, which was a great look for him, as it may have been the biggest crowd he’s ever performed in front of. On Saturday, JOYNER FEST took place in Worcester at the Palladium outdoors. The lineup included Rotimi, Millyz, Conway the Machine, and more. Despite some rain, fans still turned up and had a good time. It's great to see Joyner get love in his home city. Although Rotimi felt a bit random as an act, it makes sense that he was present, he and Joyner worked on a music video performance together. As a whole, the festival successfully created a space to enjoy the gritty sound and witty lines of the performers. History was also made that day, as council woman Julia Mejia declared June 22nd Joyner Lucas day. Making it the first time a hip-hop artist received this honor. On the same Saturday, another big party, Day Trill, was happening in Providence, RI. Known as ‘the world’s best-kept secret,’ the event featured sounds provided by Dana Lu from NYC, Towfu from Boston, Where’s Nasty from Providence, and Silent Matic. People from Providence and Boston came out to enjoy the party. Like Joyner Fest, this event was also outdoors and hosted a crowd of about 400-500 people. The lineup of DJs created a fantastic vibe, with hits playing all night. The first official day of summer, June 20th, came in hot, promising a busy and exciting season. Get ready for the heat and the activities because this summer is all about being outside. photo credits: @tdvisualz @hdiamondpictures @kierstenelizabethphotography @youufirst 📷📸

The music industry is notoriously known for being one with a misogynistic environment. In the past two decades or so we have been seeing a shift in the tone in which entertainment is procured. We’ve seen the inception of numerous artists from all over the nation that cater to bold and ambitious young women. This article is about two artists that came to our region to bless their audiences with some of their girl magic.

Monday April 8th, the city of Boston was graced with the presence of the one and only NICKI MINAJ. The juggernaut of an MC was in the city for her PINK FRIDAY 2 WORLD TOUR which was a two night affair at TD Garden. People flocked from all over New England to come see the mega star perform. But NICKI wasn’t the only star in orbit this week, the rising RNB sinsation MARIAH THE SCIENTISTS also performed in Providence at the Strand. Both acts are a testament to the woman stardom within the industry.MARIAH THE SCIENTIST was on tour for her third studio album, “To Be Eaten Alive”. The 26 year old RNB artist comes from Atlanta, Georgia and was signed to TORY LANEZ’s label One Umbrella and RCA Records. MARIAH has been making some noise since her debut album “Master” and has been consistently growing her audiences since her inception into the industry. Her smooth and laid back vocals are reminiscent of Jhené Aiko and her style of music. We are excited to see how MARIAH’s artistry will develop and the impact it will have on the RNB scene.

NICKI MINAJ had some tricks up her sleeve for her audiences in Boston. NICKI brought out Massachusetts’ own BIA on stage with her to perform the song that BIA credited for changing her life. The two performed ‘A WHOLE LOT OF MONEY’ a track that is more like an anthem for young women who aspire to be successful and live a posh lifestyle. Both NICKI MINAJ and MARIAH THE SCIENTIST are testaments to the tone of the music industry. One that recognizes women in the market and is represented by artists that can relate and be their voice. With new artists such as TINK, SEXYY RED, MULATTO, GloRilla, CITY GIRLS, MEGAN THEE STALLION and ICE SPICE to name a few, the future is looking bright for women in Hiphop and RNB. Photo credits: @bizuals + @chriscornejo_📸 📷

Drill music took the hiphop scene by storm in 2019 and has remained relevant since. The loss of POP SMOKE seemed to have put a damper on the movement but certain Brooklyn rappers have been proudly carrying the torch. FIVIO FOREIGN is seen on appearances with Ye and Massachusetts’ own, MILLYZ, along dropping two studio albums in the last two years. But this article is about the boys of the Winner’s Circle. While SHEFF G is currently incarcerated, SLEEPY HALLOW is at the helm of the ship. SLEEPY, along side ELI FROSS and JAY-BEZZY, hit Worcester, MA for the third show of their Boy Meets World Tour. The Palladium was packed with eager fans ready to party and enjoy a good show. Concert Crave, the organizers of the event, normally do a fantastic job creating a fun atmosphere for live music and dynamic performances. Boston’s own ONE SHOT ACE was in the building and set the stage on fire for his set. Makes sense for him to be present at the show, he has a fire track with SHEFF G called “MR.FIRE”. It’s dope to see him still working with the Winner’s Circle team. It’s said that ONE SHOT ACE has a track with SLEEPY HALLOW coming out soon called “BET ON MYSELF”.

ACE’s performance set at the show was spun by local DJ, KITZ. JAMN’ 945’s DJ known for hosting the LAUNCH PAD and being an active contributor to the Boston music scene, DJ E DUBBLE, was also present.

SLEEPY HALLOW has a laid back and aggressive sound that many seem to identify with and gravitate to. He performed songs from his early project DON’T SLEEP and jumped through his whole discography throughout the night. The crowd loved it. A few people passed out but security was sure to be swift to attend to anyone in need. The place was truly packed and it created an exciting and fun atmosphere to enjoy the show. No pyrotechnics were present for this event, but it was a light show! SLEEPY HALLOW and ELI FROSS delivered an energetic performance and kept the people engaged as the audience recited damn near every lyric with the rappers. SLEEPY ended up diving in the crowd which is always fun to see.

It’s great to see the Winner’s Circle continuing to thrive despite some of the hardships some of the members are facing legally. We send SHEFF G our love and hope well for him as he fights his charges. Same goes for SLEEPY who had been said to have had some run ins with the law recently. Too much talent to be spending time behind bars! Hope the rest of the BOY MEETS WORLD TOUR goes well and the Winner’s Circle continue to succeed!

Photo credit: @javurichporte 📸 📷 

Hiphop has many different facets to it and as time passes we see the genre continue to evolve. Like Rock developed into a genre with many subdivisions, it seems as if Hiphop is following suit. In this article we visit the solo act in OFFSET as he has parted ways from the mega group MIGOS and is on tour promoting his third solo studio album, SET IT OFF.

MIGOS as a group faced their share of controversy and struggle as they climbed the charts and became one of the most impactful acts of the 2010s into 2020s. They were an underground sinsation making noise and creating buzz on online platforms and mostly college parties before they were slapped with the label of being mumble rappers. The group birth a vibe and energy that inspired a generation of artists and they all collectively worked hard to debunk the mumble title.

As a trio the group demonstrated intricate rhyme schemes and rhythmic patterns. Their three man weave was beyond impressive as their cadence and synchronization demonstrated the complexity in their artistry. What made the group most impressive however, was their remarkable stage presence and performances.

The death of TAKEOFF caused dissonance in the group, both QUAVO and OFFSET decided to continue their careers as solo acts. Well, all three of them had solo acts before TAKE’s demise and there were rumors about feuds within group as QUAVO and TAKEOFF dropped a project without OFFSET appearing on it at all. Nonetheless, TAKE’s absence has had a big impact on the overall movement. Quavo’s sophomore solo album ROCKET POWER felt like an ode to TAKEOFF, it is apparent how much the loss affected him. OFFSET, however, seems to be ready to carry the weight of the team as he puts on his Michael glove and shows us exactly what he means by ‘Dat Way’. SET performed at the House of Blues Boston on March 15th and showcased another level to his artistry. His set came equipped with dancers and moves from OFFSET himself.

It was kind of reminiscent of MC Hammer, which is pretty funny but implications are interesting. Do people want more from their Hiphop acts? Or is OFFSET just on one and this is his best way of copping/ expressing himself? Either way the event was packed and the audience was ecstatic to watch the show and interact with the star. It’s great to see something different done in the space. As HipHop continues to evolve it’s exciting to see what else will be brought to the table. TAKEOFF lead the wave, QUAVO showed us what Rocket Power is all about and OFFSET, well he’s going ‘Dat Way’.

Photo cred: @kmagzphoto 📸 📷

On March 2nd the African Giant known as BURNA BOY came to perform in Boston and was the first “African” artist to sell out TD Garden. That’s 20,000 seats filled with people from all over the New England area eager to see the MC perform.

Hiphop has had the charts and popular culture in a chokehold for the past three decades. However over the past ten years or so, we have begun to see an emerging competitor in the genre most know as Afro-beats.

The genre has been popular and widely recognized in various African countries and communities across the world. However, it wasn’t until the past several years the sound has been getting mainstream recognition.

Some may credit Drake for being the beacon for shining light on the eclectic sounds of Africa on his Views album, with appearances from Wizkid and other African artists. But with deeper observations and consideration it is apparent that a deeper phenomenon may be occurring.

America has always been known as the land of migrants and foreign influence. Here in the Commonwealth, we are honored to have communities from all over the world. Burna himself hails from the country of Nigeria, so you know his community was present to support him.

During the performance, Burna Boy took the time to honor a large community here in New England, the community from Cape Verde. Cape Verde has had a long history and relationship here in Boston and neighboring cities as they are credited of being whale hunters back in the 1700s, providing valuable oil for the colonies of America.

Cape Verde and Nigeria are not the only countries with a sizable community here in Boston, Liberians, Ghanaians, Moroccans, Senegalians and many other communities are present here in MA. That fact can be reflected in the city’s new branding of Nubian square formally known as Dudley. The transition was swift and happened several years ago now. It may have been a bit odd to some at the time but it seems to be making more sense or at least the vision and message is more clear.

Boston City Council took the time to honor Burna Boy’s success by what Gisthounds described as, ‘highlighting his impact on the city’s cultural scene.’ The African Giant was presented with a plaque of recognition and officially naming March 2nd, ‘Burna Boy Day’.

It is beautiful to see the progression of American popular culture and the inclusion of Africans. After all African-Americans have been the beacon of popular culture for a long time now, it’s nice to see the return to its roots and the celebration of such acts. 

Photo cred: @socialsane @blacvolta📸

We have boosted on a few occasions about Boston’s budding music scene with no regrets, rather with hope and aspirations to see it grow. It would be negligent, however to not acknowledge the thriving scene in other cities. In this article we will visit what people call the new black hub in America and a force to be reckoned with in the music scene, Atlanta. On the day before Valentine’s Day, Feb 13, at the State Farm Arena the annual TYCOON Music Festival kicked off with an all R&B lineup to set the mood for the holiday. The show is a traveling festival, the last one was in Huston, TX which seems like a good place to host this kind of show. But there’s something about ATL that brings a different type of excitement. R&B Power Player Anthony “Ant” Wilson said, “this year’s Tycoon Music Festival is a showcase of the best in R&B.” The show was hosted by comedian DC YOUNG FLY and headlined by CHRIS BROWN, MARIO, MONICA and GINUWINE however the lineup also included acts from ASHANTI, TY DOLLA $IGN, FRIDAYY, TANK, MANNIE FRESH, BRYSON TILLER, DJ ENVY, 112, JERMAINE DUPRI and more. What struck our interest about the show was no other than.. the after parties. In fact the festival brings forth a host of other shows and parties to accompany the actual concert. Two parties in particular took place after the show at the arena that caught our eye. One on the 13th at Vision Restaurant and Lounge and the other on Valentine’s Day itself at Bamboo Nightclub. Models Debria Love and Mikayla Shapario from Boston participated in the Valentine’s Day themed afterparties and shared some content with us. Chris Brown hosted both after parties but it was the lingerie party on VDay that was the real head turner. Bamboo Nightclub was transformed into Club ANT-LANTA, in honor of artist manager Ant Wilson who is credited for orchestrating this year’s series of events. The party was invite only and featured a list of star studded guests and a bunch of ladies all in lingerie, about 400+ of them to be exact. The venu was decked out in red and pink for the holiday and featured gorgeous chandeliers that were suspended over the indoor pool. Guests of the event were given custom made robes for the night. Celebrity guests included P from QC, KEY GLOCK, JOSELINE from Love & HipHop, 42 DUGG, TOMMY from POWER, JUSTINA VALINTINE from Wildin’ Out, BOW WOW, BOBBY SHMURDA, and more. BOBBY SHMURDA was credited for turning the party up, as he usually does. There was a prize contest for the best lingerie during the event. The first place winner won a Birkin bag, second a Louis Vuitton bag and the third place winner won a Gucci bag. None of our Boston ladies won a bag but better believe they were out there looking good and holding it down. They did say the party was one of the best they ever been too, which is worth noting. Boston may not have festivals on that scale as of now but maybe that may change some day. After all, we do have casinos out here now, smaller sized festies and a whole lot of baddies. Shout out to @debrialove and @mikaylashapiro for being Boston representatives at the TYCOON Music Festival. Mikayla is now an Atlanta resident, taking modeling gigs there  and holding it down for her hometown. Debria lives in Boston and loves it here but told us as of now she has to fly out to get better opportunities. She went on to say “it’s important [to me] that I some how put on for Boston!” Like us, Debria is eager to see more happen in the city and ready to put in the work. Tycoon Music Festival 2024: Atlanta Valentine’s Edition was an event defiantly for the books. With star studded performances from the best in R&B to over 400 models in attendance, this is going to be a tough act to follow. Wonder where they will be hosting it next year and what else they’ll bring to the table! 🤔 Photo credits: @cashdidit_ @jamvisions @jawanzavickers @estwst.photos @shotsbymel_ @_wherestheproof @debrialove @mikaylashapiro 📸 📷

Boston has been recognized for decades for its prestigious academic scene and for its prolific sport teams. The city is known nationally for its thick accent and for being racist, of all things. But what most people don’t know is that there is a thriving music scene here that has been bubbling for some time now and feels like it’s about to reach new heights.

Although rarely mentioned in conversation about the hiphop scene, Boston has been present even before the genre hit mainstream. With legends like the late Guru of Gang Starr and Roxbury’s own Edo G, representatives of the city have been present and been impacting scene before many of us were even born.

Fast forward to 2024, almost on a weekly baises there is at least one major act performing here in Boston. Leading us to conclude that Boston is indeed a major stop on most musical tours. It makes sense being that it is a University town and looks to have been pushing to retain more activities for young adults.

This article is about the Boston Music Awards, a coalition that is dedicated to honoring music contributors in the community. Ironically they have been around since 1987, but have been on our radar since about 2019. It wasn’t until we started seeing post from local acts about the BMA’s that we started looking into it. Every year they honor musical artists, event coordinators/ promoters and even digital platforms like ours. We have not been recognized by BMA’s as of yet but that’s just motivation to work harder, besides we are not nearly where we want to be, yet.

Anyways it’s awesome that the city has been pushing for more musical activities and events. The BMA’s is a great way to celebrate local acts and give them a platform for more recognition and exposure. Congratulations to all the winners and nominees of 2023! It’s a new year now and we are excited to see what the community has in store for the year.

Who will create the most and be the most impactful? Who will put out ground breaking work that resonates and inspires? Don’t know yet, first month of 2024 is almost over and the cities creatives are already hard at work. So keep an eye out and show some support to your local acts! Who knows who will be the next to blow!

Photo credit: @aperturestudios.co📸 📷

2023 came and left in a flash with overwhelming new amount of anticipation for the future. With talks of AI, war/ genocide in the Middle East and Afro beats still going strong, 2023 felt like an erratic and chaotic year.

We decided to end the year in Miami, a perfect location to vibe out, catch some sun rays and welcome the winter solstice. ART BASEL takes place in Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood early December where artists, taste makers and fans of the culture come from all over the world to commune, network and celebrate selfexpression and art.

While down there, we had the privilege to meet many different walks of life and documented most of it. As most of you know, Kanye West decided to do a surprise concert in the mist of all the festivities. It felt uncanny to be honest. There was a sort of calm before the madness. Dinning at a low key Jamaican restaurant, is the humble Kanye West, vibing and previewing unheard music with all that were in attendance.

We weren’t present, although, we did dine at that restaurant several days before Ye popped up but it felt cool to know that Ye is out being himself and vibing with the people.

Kanye went on to throw what was advertised as a rave. It was underground and definitely cult-like with an exclusive and creative website where you can purchase the tickets. The show only had about 200-300 people in attendance but the city went kind of crazy behind the Ye madness as the website crashed because of too much traffic. Tickets were being sold via Instagram on a fan account. Felt a little sketchy. But the show did indeed happen!

Kanye brought out a star-studded line-up to accompany him and preview new music from his upcoming collaboration album with TY DOLLA $IGN. The line-up included LIL DURK,  OFFSET, CHRIS BROWN, KODAK BLACK, FREDDIE GIBBS, TY DOLLA $IGN and the biggest star yet Yeezy’s daughter NORTH WEST. The whole line-up came on stage in the fresh code; all black everything.

It’s always dope to get new music from Kanye but with Miami’s ART BASEL as a backdrop for new YEEZY is just perfect. The show bared some controversy as some of the performers in attendance have been wrapped up in some not so favorable affairs. It was reported that KODAK had been arrested for cocaine possession the day prior to his appearance with Ye. CHRIS BROWN, who has had his fair share of controversial moments in his career. OFFSET who is still kind of feuding with ex MIGO mate QUAVO and morning the death of TAKEOFF all while promoting a sophomore solo album, SET IT OFF. FREDDIE GIBBS, known for his underground notoriety and for falling out with the snowman, JEEZY. LIL DURK, who had a great year as the self-proclaimed voice of the trenches. TY and NORTH arn’t too controversial but can’t deny they both add a certine flair to the show. Miss West was more than just part of the entourage, -she was there to make her musical debut! The most controversial of them all, however is no other than KANYE WEST, himself, who has been accused of using antisemitic rhetoric and is visibly still experiencing mental health issues. This is a sensitive statement to make because most people will take it as dismissive which it isn’t at all. Ye is def on to something as he constantly seems to find the pulse of the culture and tap into it to chime in his creativity. What is most curious though was Kanye’s complete outfit. He was out on stage, yes in all black, but also what appeared to be what looked like a Klu Klutz Klan hood, an oversized cropped T, a baggie pair of comfy sweatpants and some sock shoes, which we now know are his new Yeezy Sock Pod products, worn up to just beneath his knees like the knickerboxers . As odd as it was, the look was stunning and seemed to resonate on a certain level. It was reminiscent of them old Champ hoodies, -you know the ones with the cone head?

Miami ART BASEL was a great way to end 2023 and the fact that Kanye West thought so too is just great. For those who are excited as we are for VULTURES to drop, there’s some exclusive Kanye music that is out for everyone to enjoy. You can find a number of new songs and even a full length album from the contemporary maestro under the artist name of ‘BR1X3R’ and ‘Tobes’ on APPLE MUSIC.

Check it out, you’ll be glad we hipped you! 😎

Photo credits: @331des + @zacschuss📸📷

ComplexCon, a melting pot of creativity, trends, and influential personalities, recently played host to a legion of talents, including the local photographer known as Cal Xander (@50cal_turf) , who shared his captivating experience at the event. Accompanied by Hervgotti (@successismycologne), 50cal embarked on this journey with the primary motivation of exposing his work, networking with key figures in the sneaker, music, and hip-hop industries, and connecting with emerging creatives from Los Angeles and beyond.

The essence of ComplexCon, as described by Cal Xander, is a pulsating hub of positivity and freshness. Exclusive releases and collaborations were the order of the day, setting the stage for a sensory overload of the latest trends in brands, music, and emerging artists. The event spanned across two days, from 12-7 pm, offering a plethora of panels, events, and performances that added to the overall immersive experience.

One of the highlights for Xander was encountering unexpected personalities, such as Black Sam, Nipsey Hussle's brother, and the surprise appearance of Chief Keef. The chance to photograph the Clermont Twins up close, whom 50cal had been following for a while, added a personal touch to the event. The representation of Boston and Massachusetts, with figures like Felix! and Bori Rock, showcased the event's diverse appeal, bringing together talents from all over including the home team.

For Xander, the trip's pinnacle was the realization of goals set with Herv. The weekend unfolded with organic moments, from random encounters with Xzibit to spending quality time with Madeintyo. Noteworthy was the visit to Last Good Film Labs, owned by Boston native JMP, affirming 50cal’s commitment to quality in film photography.

Reflecting on the experience, Cal expressed a desire to bring his Canon 70-200mm lens to capture Kid Cudi's set more intimately. However, his persistent approach throughout the weekend allowed him to seize numerous opportunities, such as capturing a candid shot of Kerwin Frost while waiting in line.

In terms of gear, Xander shared his equipment details, emphasizing his dedication to film photography with a Canon Rebel 2000, Kodak Portra 400, 120, Cinestill 50d, and occasional digital shots on his Canon EosR with a 50mm lens.

ComplexCon, through Cal Xander lens, emerges as not merely an event but a dynamic space where passion, creativity, and opportunity converge, making it a must-attend for those seeking to immerse themselves in the pulse of contemporary culture.

Photos by @50cal_turf 📸 📷