Last night was the Frank Radio’s huge CMJ Showcase at the Southpaw in Brooklyn featuring U-God & Wiz Khalifa (pictured above). I made my way inside pretty early and sat down flippin’ through one of many Frank books scattered all over the place… It was only 8 something and the party didn’t really get started yet but by the end of the night it was a full house.

DJ Souljah brought it back with some old school hip hop records and then mixed in some more of the present day club bangers.  It was a nice blend of music to get the crowd ready for the show.

The opening act was Mr. Move, a 2 man band whose a punk rock vibe gets a does of bass and effects thanks to their macbook.  They amused the crowd with their sweaty, eccentric, and intoxicated lead singer. He interacted with the audience, shaking his ass and crushing beer cans on his head before thanking the ladies numerous times at the end of it all.

DJ Souljah came back out to spin a few more tracks  before the next act, Stalley, representing for the 330.  He was OK, he didn’t get the crowd hyphy like some of the other acts, and he felt disrespected when someone in the crowd kept screaming “Wiz!!” Stalley said he was a fan of Wiz, but not to disrespect him on stage and that Wiz would be out soon.

Next up we had the beautiful, the talented, Jasmine Solano.  She kind of reminded me of Brittanya from VH1′s The Rock of Love, but without the really big tits.  She came out hard, spittin’ some lyrics of “shimmy shimmy coco puff” stuff.  Then she took over the turntables and started a club scene, spinnin’ club bangers, Baltimore Club, and classic Dance hits. She was sexy.

U-God came out next with his DJ and they got the crowd going. He sang some classic Wu-Tang songs, and introduced some from his new album, Dopeium.  He interacted with the crowd saying he was the grumpiest member of The Wu, and insisted he was a raw, hardcore hip-hop artist.  At one point he even fell on stage but got back up after a brief moment, with the help of some security.  He took a breath, drank some water and went back at it laughing the whole thing off. A true performer!

Then, the much anticipated Wiz Khalifa came out.  At this point it was late into the night with a full house with a variety of people.  He was young, energetic, and most of all fresh.  A lot of people in the crowd were lovin’ him, singing along with his songs, snapping pictures everywhere! He brought out 2 other people as well, but when he started lifting up his shirt up showing his stomach, to his song “Imma ink my whole body” the girls went crazy trying to touch him and all that… Must be nice, haha! Wiz definitely entertained the crowd and definitely served as the evening’s highlight.

Big ups to Frank 151 and the people over at Southpaw for a good show!

- Oneuenvy