Live Performances

Apr
14
Drake Performs at Jordan Brand Classic

Drake

Drake still has people talking after his harsh comments about Chris Brown and Rihanna. But he turned the focus back to his music, performing at the 2013 Jordan Brand Classic at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center on Saturday.

The Canadian rapper delivered a 15-minute set, cramming in his hits including “The Motto,” “Headlines,” and “Crew Love,” as the audience sang along. According to his fansite Word on Road, he shouted out Jay-Z and said he would return to the arena this fall on his own tour.

Watch Drizzy make the most out of his 15 minutes below.

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Apr
14
R. Kelly Performs with Phoenix at Coachella

Thomas Mars and R. Kelly

You never know who’s going to surprise at Coachella. R. Kelly turned plenty of heads when he appeared during Phoenix’s headlining set on Saturday.

Following a full day of performances from 2 Chainz, Pusha T, and Action Bronson, the R&B icon brought more heat to the desert. He joined the French band on the main stage for a mash-up of his hit “Ignition” and their single “1901.”

“Can get a toot toot, can I get a beep beep?” Kellz asked the sea of festivalgoers, who sang along.

He kept it going with a mix of “I’m a Flirt” and “Chloroform” off Phoenix’s upcoming album, Bankrupt!

Katy Perry tweeted about the surreal moment. “Production value has really gone up at Coochella, it felt like R Kelly was really there! #rkellyhologram,” joked the pop star.

Kellz will also play the Pitchfork Festival and Bonnaroo this summer. Watch footage from his surprise set below.

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Apr
13
Earl Sweatshirt Invades Coachella with Tyler, the Creator

Earl Sweatshirt

Following Frank Ocean last year and Odd Future the year before, Earl Sweatshirt made his Coachella debut on Friday. The 19-year-old rapper delivered a late-night set in the desert, which included his viral singles “Chum” and “Whoa,” plus material from his upcoming album Doris.

Flying Lotus served as his DJ and Tyler, the Creator crashed the stage, climbing the rafters while performing “Tamale” and “Rusty” with Domo.

They exchanged compliments on Twitter. “THEBE DID HIS THANG TONIGHT FUCKING STUPID BITCH,” tweeted Tyler, to which Earl responded, “YOU SMELL LIKE SHIT THANKS.”

Check out photos from their desert invasion below.

UPDATE: Video of Earl’s entire set has been added.

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Apr
10
Justin Timberlake Brings Memphis Soul to White House

Justin Timberlake and Steve Cropper

With his album still No. 1 in the country, Justin Timberlake brought his talents to the White House as part of a tribute to Memphis Soul. First Lady Michelle Obama invited 120 middle and high school students from across the country to participate in an interactive workshop entitled “Soulsville, USA: The History of Memphis Soul Student Workshop.”

The Memphis-born pop star joined an illustrious panel that included Sam Moore, Mavis Staples, Charlie Mussel, and Ben Harper for a conversation about the origins and history of Memphis Soul, and the hard work involved in being a successful artist.

J.T. reflected on singing in the church when he was a kid and how soul music influenced him. “With my latest record, I feel like I’m really getting an opportunity to feel youthful again in a different way,” he told the students.

He also performed Otis Redding’s “(Sittin’ On) the Dock of the Bay” with guitarist Steve Cropper as the First Family sang along.

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Apr
7
Big Sean Performs ‘Switch Up’ at USC Springfest

Big Sean

Fresh off the debut of his new song “Switch Up” featuring Common, Big Sean brought down the house at USC Springfest on Saturday night. The G.O.O.D. Music rapper performed his new anthem for the college crowd, dedicating it to his longtime supporters and those who’ve been holding down their crews.

“This a real motherfu**ing song. It ain’t no diss song. It’s just for everybody,” said Sean, addressing speculation that he was dissing his former labelmate Kid Cudi. “This my first time doing this shit for USC, my first time doing it in the world, so we gotta turn the f**k up.”

“Switch Up” will appear on his upcoming album Hall of Fame, but it’s not a single. “I didn’t put ‘Switch Up’ as a single, I put it out strictly for my supporters, fans of rap… N becuz I haven’t dropped new music in awhile,” he explained.

Watch Sean kill it live.

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Apr
6
Miguel Performs ‘Power Trip’ with J. Cole at Barclays Center

J. Cole and Miguel

Miguel had Brooklyn’s Barclays Center all the way turnt up when he brought out J. Cole. During the latest stop on Alicia Keys’ “Set the World on Fire” tour, the two performed Cole’s new single “Power Trip” for the first time live.

“Big shout to @JColeNC for coming out and rocking Barclays w me tonight. #RADTIMES,” tweeted Miguel.

After the U.S. trek wraps on April 18, Miguel will head overseas with Alicia for the European leg in May.

Watch their performance below.

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Mar
31
Kendrick Lamar Performs ‘Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe (Remix)’ at Paid Dues

Kendrick Lamar

“Do anybody know that the West Coast now run this motherfu**in’ thing?” said Kendrick Lamar at Saturday’s Paid Dues Independent Hip Hop Festival in San Bernardino, Calif.

During his headlining set, he was joined by his fellow Black Hippies ScHoolboy Q, Ab-Soul, and Jay Rock. Compton’s golden child also spit an a cappella verse from the Jay-Z-assisted remix to “Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe” before bringing in the beat.

Other acts on the bill included Juicy J, Trinidad James, and Macklemore.

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Mar
25
Dawn Richard Covers Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe’

Dawn Richard

Dawn Richard performed to a sold-out crowd at Yoshi’s in San Francisco last week during her Goldenheart tour. She delivered records off her debut including “’86″ and “Northern Lights,” and even threw in a cover or two.

Rocking long hair and a jumper, Dawn put her stamp on Kendrick Lamar’s “Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe,” mixing it with Dirty Money’s “Ass on the Floor.”

“Don’t let nobody kill your vibe tonight. Have a good time,” Dawn told the crowd.

She will play a show at The Roxy in L.A. on Tuesday. The person who buys the most tickets will win an iPod, signed Goldenheart album and poster, and backstage meet and greet. Get your tickets here.

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