Similar to Centric TV’s “Centric Certified” initiative, the flagship BET channel “Music Matters” spotlight also aims to highlight the next BET superstars through music, bios, music videos, photos and intimate interviews where the artists explain who they are and what music means to them.
Being up close to the artist while they performed gave me the opportunity to take some really good pictures. Please follow me so you can get notified when they get posted.
One of the BET channels is Centric TV. Musicians who are “Centric Certified” are promoted as music’s next superstars through album streams, music videos, photos and intimate interviews where the artists share who they are and what music means to them. Though I was only able to catch one of their selections of the day, it was definitely one that I high on catching perform live: LiV Warfield.
Being up close to the artist while they performed gave me the opportunity to take some really good pictures. Please follow me so you can get notified when they get posted.
One of the BET Experience Fan Fest events that I was given permission to cover was the Acoustically Speaking series. I had absolutely no problem with that. Scheduled from 2pm – 6:30, various artists performed a short set of songs “unplugged” followed by an interview with the host, Big Tigger. It was a taped event, so I’m sure that these episodes will be edited for broadcast. Based on who I saw perform, I can affirmatively say that each artist is worth tuning in for.
Being up close to the artist while they performed gave me the opportunity to take some really good pictures. Please follow me so you can get notified when they get posted.
One of the BET Experience Fan Fest events that I was given permission to cover was the Acoustically Speaking series. I had absolutely no problem with that. Scheduled from 2pm – 6:30, various artists performed a short set of songs “unplugged” followed by an interview with the host, Big Tigger. It was a taped event, so I’m sure that these episodes will be edited for broadcast. Based on who I saw perform, I can affirmatively say that each artist is worth tuning in for.
Being up close to the artist while they performed gave me the opportunity to take some really good pictures. Please follow me so you can get notified when they get posted.
Christina Milian is an R&B/hip-hop/pop artist who released her first album in 2001. A multitalented performer, she not only sings, but also has starred in various feature films like “Love Don’t Cost a Thing” and “Be Cool”. Though there are rumors that she may be dating Lil Wayne, as far as I’m concerned, until she says so, she’s single (wishful thinking, I know). Follow her on instagram: @christinamilian
KILLER COVER: Iron Horse Bluegrass covers Metallica
A bluegrass band covering Metallica? I never though it could have been possible … until now. Covering Metallica’s “Enter Sandman”, Iron Horse Bluegrass proves that virtually any well written song, can cross genres. Such a terrifically fun cover.
If You Haven’t Seen It Already
Music journalist Zane Lowe had a rare opportunity to interview Rick Rubin, and it is a terrific interview that any music enthusiast should take the time and watch. The interview runs just short of an hour, but trust me … the hour is well worth your time.
Music In Movies
Any motion picture worth its salt needs to have have killer soundtrack. The soundtrack for “Reality Bites” (a motion pictures that every young adult related to during the mid-90s) has one of the best. Perhaps it’s most iconic scene is the one where (most of) the main characters bust out in dance to the Knack’s “My Sharona”. You’re welcome.
Speaking of Music In Movies ….
The official trailer for the new Jimi Hendrix biopic “Jimi: All is By My Side” starring Outkast’s Andre 3000 was released this week. I must say, Andre 3000’s portrayal of Jimi Hendrix is amazingly good. Definitely a movie that I plan on catching when it hits the theaters. Check it out.
You hear about Google buying Songza? Though Songza isn’t as popular as Pandora, iHeartRadio, iTunes Radio … basically every other streaming services, Google bought Songza because of their technology. Trust me … Google can pick up music catalogues down the road. They are doing the smart thing.
One of the BET Experience Fan Fest events that I was given permission to cover was the Acoustically Speaking series. I had absolutely no problem with that. Scheduled from 2pm – 6:30, various artists performed a short set of songs “unplugged” followed by an interview with the host, Big Tigger. It was a taped event, so I’m sure that these episodes will be edited for broadcast. Based on who I saw perform, I can affirmatively say that each artist is worth tuning in for.
Being up close to the artist while they performed gave me the opportunity to take some really good pictures. Please follow me so you can get notified when they get posted.
One of the BET Experience Fan Fest events that I was given permission to cover was the Acoustically Speaking series. I had absolutely no problem with that. Scheduled from 2pm – 6:30, various artists performed a short set of songs “unplugged” followed by an interview with the host, Big Tigger. It was a taped event, so I’m sure that these episodes will be edited for broadcast. Based on who I saw perform, I can affirmatively say that each artist is worth tuning in for.
Being up close to the artist while they performed gave me the opportunity to take some really good pictures. Please follow me so you can get notified when they get posted.
Formed the year I was born, 1976, The Damned are a rock band from London, England. I was particularly interested in checking out there set as they are known to be one of the forerunners of the “gothic” music genre: a music style that is a mix of post-punk and alternative rock. I was especially excited that they were playing Ink-N-Iron because I couldn’t recall the last time they toured the United States.
Though their line-up has changed up over the course of their existence, three of their original members performed on this night on the Queen Mary: lead singer Dave Vanian, guitarist Captain Sensible and keyboardist Monty Oxymoron.
Dave Vanian’s performance was particularly impressive. His dark (dressed in black, with sunglasses and gloves) and mysterious stage presence was quite a contrast from Lee Ving’s performance. He performance demonstrated an understated bravado that really demonstrated, to me, a terrific command of the stage.
The audience, who had just before been moshing with reckless, and violent, abandon the set before, was now bouncing about with more fun and freedom. 37 years after they had formed, it appeared to me that they still had plenty in the tank, with their classically punk attitude in full form.
I couldn’t find a setlist of their set online, so if you attended the event and know what their setlist was, please post it in the comments, and I’ll add it to the post.
Immediately below are some videos I found of The Briefs performing at the festival and also the Ink-N-Iron pre-party. If you know of any other videos that are online, please post the link below in the comments so that I can add it to the playlist.
One of the BET Experience Fan Fest events that I was given permission to cover was the Acoustically Speaking series. I had absolutely no problem with that. Scheduled from 2pm – 6:30, various artists performed a short set of songs “unplugged” followed by an interview with the host, Big Tigger. It was a taped event, so I’m sure that these episodes will be edited for broadcast. Typically, concert taping events can be, at times, overbearing, but the BET production staff kept the pace moving, and it turned out to be an excellent afternoon of music.
I can affirmatively say that each artist is worth tuning in for. Make sure you keep you eyes (and ears) open for when the episode airs. You don’t want to miss any of them.
Being up close to the artist while they performed gave me the opportunity to take some really good pictures. Please follow me so you can get notified when they get posted.
California hardcore punk took shape in the late 70s and early 80s. Heavier and more abrasive than regular punk rock, bands like Black Flag, the Circle Jerks and Fear were the seminal bands that helped paved the way that particular sound and style. Fear’s music and live show is known to be aggressive and confrontational . Their performance on Saturday Night Live back in 1981 is the stuff of legend, as they invited a pack of skinhead slam-dancers on-stage resulting in costly studio damage and even on-mike profanity. That story alone was enough to make me curious enough to catch their set.
I got the stage after the band had already started, but I’m glad that I wasn’t up close to snap pictures. Mosh pits had formed and I’m assuming that either me, or my equipment, could have easily been broken. lol.
Fronting the band is Lee Ving; the only original member of band since its formation in the late 70s. His sharp tongue and vocal thrashing of the mic was still on par. For a man in his mid-60s, his band’s music elicited from the crowd a teenage abandon of angst and straight up punk. Just watching the swirling pits got my juices flowing.
I couldn’t find a setlist of their set online, so if you attended the event and know what their setlist was, please post it in the comments, and I’ll add it to the post.
Immediately below are some videos I found of The Briefs performing at the festival and also the Ink-N-Iron pre-party. If you know of any other videos that are online, please post the link below in the comments so that I can add it to the playlist.
#DKLPHOTOS 
