Over the weekend, really pretty much last week, people have been up in arms about some things.  This week I will highlight (in three separate posts) why people are upset.  They will come from all genres, but today’s will be related to music. 

Last year I had the pleasure of attending Rock the Bells, a concert featuring some of the greatest Hip Hop MCs.  Based on this year’s line-up, my sorority sister, who is my running mate when it comes to live music, and I decided to skip it.  From being on Twitter yesterday, I discovered that concert goers were told Lauryn Hill, who was featured as a special guest and has been in hiding for the past few years, was not going to perform.  As to be expected, some people boo’ed.  (I probably would have, too.)  In her place, A Tribe Called Quest came out.  Questlove, from The Roots, and Talib Kweli, thought it was disrespectful for the audience to boo.  They pointed out that it was more than just the “Lauryn Hill Show” and that there were many other performers.  I explained to them that it wasn’t disrespectful to the artists.   The audience was told someone was going to be there and that person didn’t show.  I also let them know I would have been pissed if they didn’t show last year.  They didn’t respond, so I don’t know if they appreciated my response or not.  *shrugs*  From speaking with my co-worker, we’ll call him Adam, who is a 5 time RTB attendee, Ms. Hill did come out, with special guest Nas, after A Tribe Called Quest performed. 

In this situation, this is why people are mad.  One, Adam and his friends arrived (to the mainstage) around 4 pm.  The next act did not get onstage until 6:30 pm.  That’s 2.5 hours of no music, no DJ, no nothing.  The host, whose name Adam could not remember, would come out periodically, but I’m not sure what that accomplished.  Two, the show was running late.  Snoop Dogg, the last act, was supposed to come on stage at 10:15.  He didn’t come on until almost 11, which by this time Adam, and I’m sure other people, had left.  Three, the venue ran out of food (right before Snoop came on stage).  Due to the lateness of the show, that may not be a big deal, but it is noteworthy.  Lastly, who leaves CONCERT goers with no music???  Adam stated that they lost money, at least in the DC area, and I am inclined to agree.  I’m not going to be in a big hurry to attend next year’s show, and I plan on telling my sorority sister.  Adam stated he may not be going back, either.

What do you guys think?  Do people have a right to be mad?  And if you attended Rock the Bells at the Merriweather Post Pavilion, how was your experience?  Stay tuned for Take 2.  I’m tempted to talk about this Twitter deal with Drake saying you can call Nicki Minaj “Mrs. Aubrey Drake Graham” from now on…but I won’t.  (#icantbebothered) Until next time, I’m just a Southern girl…in the city!