Nightlife

City Councilwoman Kristin Richardson Jordan presented certificates to African and African American community members in Harlem on African Heritage Month last week at the Association Senegalais Center on 116th Street in Harlem. The awardees included: Imam Konate, Zeina Toure, Yaya Barry, Cheryl Smith, Clark Pena, and Tanesha Grant, among others.

(Bill Moore photos)

Introducing BET Hip Hop Awards host Fat Joe

With the NY State of Mind Tour, the nation is being affirmatively reminded what we in NY have believed since the onset of the genre, that being it ain’t nothing like hip hop music from the birthplace. Co-headliners Nas, the Wu-Tang Clan and Busta Rhymes have taken it upon themselves to assure that anyone who agrees with that premise has a rock-solid argument. For the NY Tristate leg, at The Prudential Center, the venue was almost at capacity before an artist touched the stage and with DJ Scratch at the helm the fever pitch anticipation remained high. Of course, with the accumulated showmanship and catalogs of each act. It was a safe bet that any funds invested in a ticket were well invested.

While venues won’t allow for their fans to share in the experience, millions got a glimpse of why the Wu aren’t just one of the best groups to ever assemble, but they were also an integral ingredient to one of the greatest labels hip hop has seen, as they performed a medley of hits for the celebration of Loud Records at the 2022 BET Hip Hop Awards. Loud Records and pioneering founder Steve Rifkind were celebrated in song in addition to the Wu, by David Banner featuring Lil’ Flip, Dead Prez, Fat Joe, Mobb Deep with Lil’ Kim, M.O.P., Remy Ma, and Three 6 Mafia.

In a statement prior to the show’s airing, Steve Rifkind said, “It has been such a rewarding 30 years for Loud alongside my tireless partners Rich Isaacson and Jonathan Rifkind. The impact we’ve been able to make with some of today’s pioneering and trailblazing acts is unmatched. I’m privileged to be able to work with everyone from Wu-Tang Clan, Mobb Deep, Big Pun, Xzibit, and more, to this year’s BET Hip Hop Awards host, my brother, Fat Joe. I’m honored that BET is recognizing the impact that Loud has made in revolutionizing the industry and propelling the culture.”

“Each year, the BET Hip Hop Awards stage provides one of the largest global platforms to celebrate the undeniable impact of the most influential and rulebreaking genre,” said Connie Orlando, EVP Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy at BET. “We are excited to celebrate Loud Records for their contributions to the musical landscape that has brought us iconic artists and unforgettable songs, uniting multiple generations under the sound of hip hop.”

Aside from hosting the festivities, Grammy-nominated recording artist, actor, entrepreneur, and media personality Fat Joe has a huge endeavor coming down the pike, as his memoir, “The Book of Jose” is set to be released this fall. In preparation Joe will return to the Apollo stage to give a behindthe-scenes look at one of the realest storytellers of our time. As an added incentive each ticket includes a copy of the book. The event, entitled Apollo Presents In Conversation: Fat Joe, takes place Nov. 15, 2022, at 7:30 p.m. at the Apollo. Tickets available at the Apollo box office and ticketmaster.com

Looking for something to get into this weekend? Well, the Foxwoods will host the first of what they bill as the Serenade shows featuring R&B icons Ne-Yo and Boyz II Men, and additional artists including J. Holiday, Dru Hill. Available now until showtime on Oct. 7, ticket buyers can purchase four tickets for the price of three to Serenade featuring Ne-Yo, Musiq Soulchild, and J. Holiday with the “Me & My Girls Special”—the perfect excuse to leave your man at home and have an unforgettable night out with your girl squad. Additionally, Foxwoods is offering buyers a 20% discount on tickets when you purchase tickets for both Serenade shows including Ne-Yo, Musiq Soulchild, and J.Holiday on Oct. 7 AND Boyz II Men, Dru Hill and 112 on Nov. 25. Discount will be added upon payment/checkout.

Over and out. Holla next week. Til then, enjoy the nightlife.

Method Man for Wu Tang Clan at NJPAC (David Goodson photo)