Downtown Memphis (Taken with instagram)
Month: August 2011
After the chaotic end of the Orange Mound Block Party, I grabbed dinner at the Fillin Station in Southaven, got a latte from Starbucks in Midtown, and then headed to Brinson’s for the Summer of Sum Tour event that my homie Cortez “Godfellow” Currie had invited me to. I hung out with some of the artists from 10 PM until midnight, but the show got underway late, and as I had to be a church the next morning, I headed on home.
After the chaotic end of the Orange Mound Block Party, I grabbed dinner at the Fillin Station in Southaven, got a latte from Starbucks in Midtown, and then headed to Brinson’s for the Summer of Sum Tour event that my homie Cortez “Godfellow” Currie had invited me to. I hung out with some of the artists from 10 PM until midnight, but the show got underway late, and as I had to be a church the next morning, I headed on home.
Walking Home from the Orange Mound Block Party after the Fights, 2011
People walking home after the fights and shooting, Orange Mound Block Party, July 30, 2011. I will never understand why people would come to a recreational event in a mood to pick a fight with someone, or why anyone could think that it was ever justifiable to shoot a gun into a crowd of people. But the end result is that the city will prevent events like this from taking place, so all of us will be the losers because 6 or 7 people would rather fight and shoot than have a good time.
Police Clear the Park after Shooting at the Orange Mound Block Party, 2011
In the aftermath of the fights and shooting, the police cleared the park, and people began slowing walking back home, Orange Mound Block Party, July 30, 2011
Fighting Mars the Orange Mound Block Party, 2011
Late in the afternoon at the Orange Mound Block Party, a string of fights developed. One young man that had been onstage with several of the acts was beaten unconscious and had to be carried back behind the stage, and then two girls got to fighting. Shortly after that, everyone broke into a full run at the sound of gunfire. We later learned that someone had fired a shotgun into the crowd, and a young woman was hit. The police quickly flooded the park, but I could hear gunfire continuing, now coming from the northwest corner of Park and Pendleton. The ambulances came, and police began clearing out the park.
Memphis Rap Group OMB Takes The Stage At The Orange Mound Block Party
OMB takes the stage at the Orange Mound Block Party, July 30, 2011.
When a veteran old-school rapper comes out with a new album, people are sometimes skeptical, particularly if it has been a long time since the artist has had anything out. They wonder if he’s been able to “keep up with the times”, if his music can be relevant to today. Any such concerns regarding Gangsta Blac should dissolve upon hearing the very first track of Return of the Gangsta, the long-awaited new album from the legendary South Memphis artist. Songs such as “Gangsta, Gangsta” and the obvious single “Go Hard, Go Ham” are so packed with raw energy that it sounds as if it was just yesterday that we were hearing “S.O.U.T.H. Parkway”. Nor does Blac merely pick up where he left off, but in many ways this new album reveals him as an artist continuing to grow and develop, while never losing sight of the traditional Memphis rap foundation from where he came. Only one well-known Memphis rapper is featured on the album, Mac E on the song “I Be”, but Blac and his young cohorts maintain enthusiasm and interest throughout. Return of the Gangsta is a triumphant return for one of Memphis’ most important voices. Here’s hoping he doesn’t stay away that long ever again.
When a veteran old-school rapper comes out with a new album, people are sometimes skeptical, particularly if it has been a long time since the artist has had anything out. They wonder if he’s been able to “keep up with the times”, if his music can be relevant to today. Any such concerns regarding Gangsta Blac should dissolve upon hearing the very first track of Return of the Gangsta, the long-awaited new album from the legendary South Memphis artist. Songs such as “Gangsta, Gangsta” and the obvious single “Go Hard, Go Ham” are so packed with raw energy that it sounds as if it was just yesterday that we were hearing “S.O.U.T.H. Parkway”. Nor does Blac merely pick up where he left off, but in many ways this new album reveals him as an artist continuing to grow and develop, while never losing sight of the traditional Memphis rap foundation from where he came. Only one well-known Memphis rapper is featured on the album, Mac E on the song “I Be”, but Blac and his young cohorts maintain enthusiasm and interest throughout. Return of the Gangsta is a triumphant return for one of Memphis’ most important voices. Here’s hoping he doesn’t stay away that long ever again.