Top 5 Shows/Concerts: This was quite possibly the hardest list to compile because I was blessed in 2010 to go to some
5) WIADCA Benefit Concert for Haiti, Behind the Brooklyn Museum
- Open Bar? Nope. BYOB for me.
- Line-Up: Unbelievable line-up of Caribbean Artists to the tune of Carimi, Bruk-Up, Mastamind, Pupa Leendi, Bud Ramsey, Kevin Lyttle, Serani, Ky-Mani Marley, David Rudder, Spragga Benz, Freddie McGregor and more!
- The Show: The show was so packed with artists that by the time it was over some people hadn't even come out to perform! Everyone on the show (or so I heard) were playing for free or close to it, so basically all the proceeds made went to benefit Haiti after the earthquake. It was a great idea for a fundraiser from the West Indian Day Carnival Association.
4) The 4th Annual Okay Player Holiday Jam, B.B. King's
- Open Bar? Nope.
- Line-Up: Surprise line-ups are always best, don't you think? The Roots feat. Rahzel, Estelle, John Legend, Patti Labelle, Melvin Van Peebles, Chiddy Bang, Yelawolf, the cast of Fela! and MANY More.
- The Show: You have to be joking me right? Every year in December The Roots hosts a holiday party and invite all their best friends to come out and jam. 2010 was no different, with a line-up that was amazing. On top of that, the entire show is free! Yay for The Roots! Having the great one Patti Labelle come out was a welcomed surprise to just about everyone in the audience, and quite possibly the biggest surprise of the night, but it was still awesome.
3) Heineken Inspire Encore NYC, Pier 36
- Open Bar? You bet. All the Heineken, Heineken Light and Heineken Dark you could drink. Not to mention free food (beef patties, tacos, pretzels, hotdogs).
- Line-Up: DJ sets from Roxy Cottontail and Diplo (of Major Lazer fame), and performances from J-Cole, Cee-Lo Green from Goodie Mobb/Gnarls Barkley and Nas!
- The Show: It's funny because when I got the invite for this show I thought it was a joke. It was at a "secret location" released only on the day of the show. And it took me quite a while that day to find it, but it was well worth it when I entered the huge Pier and saw the stage and the amazing setup, I knew, I was in for a treat. Free Heineken and free food and free entry and free Nas?! The best part was the fact that it was in November, and it was about 66 degrees outside. A beautiful day indeed.
2) WIADCA Brass Fest, Behind the Brooklyn Museum
- Open Bar? Nope. BYOB for me.
- Line-Up: Another ridiculous Caribbean Artists lineup: Destra Garcia and her Band, Krosfyah feat. Edwin Yearwood, Lyrikal, Tallpree, Denise Belfon, JW & Blaze, Lady Saw, and Machel Montano HD feat. Patrice Roberts and Farmer Nappy.
- The Show: It was hard for me to not put this as the top show for the year for me, but my number 1 pick should really explain that. Utter pandemonium ensued when the big bands hit the stage, with Machel Montano and his gang ending the show, but not before bringing out JW & Blaze, the "Palance" boys to completely destroy the place. If you didn't leave this place sore, battered, and beaten, then you probably weren't here. PALANCEEE!
1) Prince and Friends, IZOD Center
- Open Bar? Nope.
- Line-Up: Cassandra Wilson opened (then did a duet with Prince!), followed by Maceo Parker and his band (who then did a jam session with Prince!), and then Prince, the man of the hour, came out and destroyed it. He brought out Sheila E. too!
- The Show: As I said before, it was a tough fight for #1, but this had to be the #1 show for the year. Free tickets to see a show is awesome, but to see a living legend, that you've never seen perform before? Yes please! He had 3 separate curtain calls (the second of which was actually Sheila E. instead of him) and performed for over 2 hours. Yea it would appear, that this was my top show for the year.
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