30 Apr Saturday’s Big Names
It’s almost impossible to believe that there are only two days left of SunFest! It is the weekend, the weather is gorgeous, and you should really, really be strolling Flagler Drive with an ice cream cone or cold beer in your hand.
Let’s take a look at some of the massive names that you’ll see today.
At 3 p.m., America’s sassy and stellar hip hop trio Salt-N-Pepa will take over the Ford Stage. This will be the first time I’ve had the opportunity to see Cheryl James (“Salt”), Sandra Denton (“Pepa”), and Deidra Roper (“DJ Spinderella”) live, although these truly talented women and artists have been making music since before I was born.
The Brooklyn-based group was one of the first all-female rap groups, and swiftly took our world by storm.
Their first album “Hot, Cool & Vicious” gave us “Push It,” which naturally went platinum in the United States and can still be heard in our favorite dance spaces. This 1986 album sold one million albums in the United States, was nominated for a Grammy, and celebrated these incredible women as the first female rap act to go gold or platinum.
And that was just the start.
Salt-N-Pepa has released five studio albums to date, and six compilations. Their singles “Let’s Talk About Sex,” “Whatta Man,” and “None of Your Business,” were all nominated for Grammy’s, with the last one taking home the gold. The trio also has an armful of MTV Video awards and BET Hip Hop Awards.
Don’t even think about missing their sexy set today at 3 p.m. I’ll be there singing along to all their songs, and I expect you to do the same. I’ll see you soon!
Selecting a headliner tonight will be no easy task. I’m getting stomach cramps just thinking about having to make this difficult decision.
First, we have O.A.R. on the Tire Kingdom stage. This Maryland-grown jam band is probably best known for their contagious singles “Shattered (Turn the Car Around)” and “Love and Memories.”
My affections for O.A.R. reach back into 2010, when I had the opportunity to interview drummer Chris Culos. (I’m going to embarrass myself by linking to my nearly defunct website that I built in 2009, to share.) I still share my excitement over that interview new and old friends. In addition to making clever music, these artists are also kind human beings, and that holds a lot of weight in my ears.
O.A.R. has released eight studio albums since forming in 1996. You can expect to hear gems from across the last 20 years.
Slaying the JetBlue Stage is Fitz and the Tantrums. I owe my love to this Los Angeles neo-soul group to my father. My dad is a major reason I became a music journalist in the first place. His love for intriguing sounds knows no bounds, as I found myself listening to everything from Elton John to Garbage under his watchful eye.
Hours after Fitz and the Tantrums dropped “Money Grabber,” their 2010 smash hit, my dad was playing it around our house. I was hooked. Lead singers Michael Fitzpatrick and Noelle Scaggs have created a sound that fills a hole within our music industry. Bridging the gap between our flashy and fleeting dance favs and the songs of the new greats, like Adele, are Fitz and the Tantrums. Their talent is undeniable. Their on-stage energy is something to behold. But their power vocals and sound fits with our lives right now. Ballads are beautiful, but sometimes we just want to dance.
I have had the pleasure of catching Fitz and the Tantrums at multiple festivals. I can assure you they always draw a massive crowd and leave your legs aching for days (in the best way possible). I will definitely be at their set tonight! If you see me, say hello!
Lastly, we have Gerald Earl Gillum, better known as G-Eazy. I have heard whispering and murmurs around this ridiculously handsome artist for the past year. The California rapper and songwriter has had a quiet, swift ascent to some of our festival’s biggest stages.
The past two weekends, G-Eazy was performing at one of my favorite spots on this planet: Coachella. Now, he’s performing in our backyard.
G-Eazy’s debut album, “These Things Happen,” recieved rave reviews and peaked at number 3 on the U.S. Billboard 200. In December, he shared his second album “When It’s Dark Out.”
I find G-Eazy to be elusive. He’s in the shadows on the edge of my sound circle, and I like that. I need more, want more.
Let’s satisfy those needs tonight at the Ford Stage.