JOYNERFEST

Lucas

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and wanted to try and put them in front of 6,000 people,” Lucas said. “So I dedicated a couple hours of my time to have local artists come in, perform, and kill it. I think that’s the most exciting part for me, being able to share my platform with upand-coming artists from my area, and watch them perform in front of that many people.”

Among the mix of opening performances is Worcester’s rising rap and R&B artist Abbie Cotto, alongside his personal DJ, DJ Kid Kash.

“I received a call from Joyner, which we usually talk here and there, but this phone call was a little different. He invited me to open up for him at the show and I immediately agreed. Why wouldn’t I?” said Cotto, who opened for Joyner at The Met in Pawtucket in 2017 during Lucas’ “508-507-2209” tour.

“It’s obviously going to be a big show and to share the same stage as Joyner and his platform will definitely be a really good look for me. But not only that though, I think that him bringing this to Worcester is going to actually get a lot of other states, record labels and artists that don’t really know about Worcester and grab their attention. I think overall, this is a really cool opportunity to really take their craft a lot more seriously and show other people they can do it too, you just have to really work hard for it and be dedicated to the game,” said Cotto.

Cotto said he intends to charge up the crowd with a few of what he likes to call “hype songs,” such as his popular party record “Vibez” and “Probably Never Miss,” which also features Boston rapper Millyz, a victory anthem, particularly appropriate for the special occasion.

Other acts expected to perform include Lil Skies, Millyz, King OSF, IZO, Gio Dee, Kev Young, Lou Gonz and TyShawn Dion.

According to Lucas’ longtime manager and business partner Dhruv Joshi, “Between (Lucas’s albums) ‘ADHD’ and ‘Evolution’ there has been a lot of music that Joyner put out in 2020, which he’s never performed live. I’m really happy that Joyner is getting the opportunity to perform for his hometown. The last time he toured was the Chris Brown tour in 2019 and then COVID happened, so this will be his first performance since the whole shutdown, and we’re really excited the first performance gets to be for his hometown” Joshi said.

While Lucas’ natural habitat resides in the studio creating new music — or spending oneon-one time with his son — Joshi revealed Lucas fans can look forward to seeing him on tour in 2022.

The Sept. 5 festival will offer a variety of games, drinks, merchandise, and numerous regional food vendors, as well as the official debut of Lucas’ own “Oh Wow” marinade brand.

“We’re excited to host Worcester’s own,” according to John Peters, veteran promoter of The Palladium. “Not many famous artists have come out of Worcester. When you think of hip-hop, you think of New York, West Coast, Atlanta, but Joyner has really put 508 on the map. He’s got a really good sound and the sky’s the limit for his career. Hopefully this show will be like a big launching pad to other promoters in the country and other agencies to say ‘wow, Joyner Lucas is such a strong act, he can sell a lot of tickets so hopefully this will be a good starting point for when he goes out to tour again nationally. It’s going to be a great day.”

City Councilor Sean Rose presents a custom face mask with the city’s Black Lives Matter mural to rapper Joyner Lucas, a Worcester native, after he received the key to the city from Mayor Joseph Petty at City Hall on Jan. 12. ASHLEY GREEN/T&G