Concert Review: Big Sean Brings Sold-Out Show to Rhode Island in Support of "Dark Sky Paradise"

/
(Twitter.com)

(Twitter.com)

     Big Sean arrived in Providence, RI Friday night as part of his latest tour to a sold-out crowd of thousands at Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel. The popular Detroit MC released his most recent album, Dark Sky Paradise, in February of this year. This third studio album became his first number 1 hit on the charts, quickly rising to the top of the Billboard 200, with 173,000 copies sold in the first week.

    Lighting up the crowd before the main performance were Justine Skye and Casey Veggies, two artists who made it big as teenagers. Skye started her career as a Tumblr-user at the tender age of 16 in Brooklyn, New York. She quickly gained fame over the last 3 years by playing to her solid fan base. Veggies, a 21-year-old L.A. native, has released 5 independent record label mixtapes since 2007 under L.A. clothing and management company Peas and Carrots. These two artists pumped up the crowd and kept them entertained until it was time for Big Sean’s arrival. 

    Coming on stage to a crowd already singing, dancing, and hyped up for his appearance, Big Sean filled the room with excitement. Opening with “Paradise,” the crowd quickly became engaged in singing along while he took over the stage. Big Sean did not stick to just his newer songs, however, also breaking out some old crowd favorites from previous albums, such as “Mercy,” “Burn,” “Marvin Gaye and Chardonnay,” “Clique,” and “My Last.” Not once did he lose the attention of the captivated audience, which didn't hesitate to carry on rapping along with the well-known lyrics. 

    Continuing on with songs from Dark Sky Paradise, he performed “Win Some, Lose Some,” “Research,” and “Blessings.”  One biggest crowd favorites, “IDFWU,” appeared near the end of the show. The energy in the room remained intense, with hands waving in the air. Wrapping up with “Outro,” Big Sean left the audience still wanting more. 

    Big Sean's performance in Rhode Island was one of many stops on his Dark Sky Paradise tour, with most of the shows quickly sold-out. Entrancing his listeners with his smooth vocals and up-tune beats, this artist’s shows are ones to not be missed. Big Sean never disappoints his fans.


EXCLUSIVE: Jacob Whitesides Reflects on Career & Answers Fan Questions from Twitter

/

(Benjamin Esakof/Roman's Rap-Up).

Singer-songwriter Jacob Whitesides took time out of his busy day in Boston on Fifth Harmony's "Reflection Tour" to speak with Roman's Rap-Up exclusively. Jacob reflected on how much he has accomplished as a young artist, as well as took questions from eager fans on Twitter. 

See the interview below:

SXSW Coverage: mtvU Woodie Awards & Festival 2015

/

(Benjamin Esakof/Roman's Rap-Up)

What do you get when you have Big Sean, Fall Out Boy and more play a show in the rain at SXSW? The 2015 mtvU Woodie Awards.

Ty Dolla $ign performing at the mtvU Woodies Festival on March 20th, 2015 (Benjamin Esakof/Roman's Rap-Up).

Officially put on by MTV subsidy mtvU, MTV's 24/7 college network, the Woodie Awards celebrate the best up-and-coming artists. In the past, the Woodies gave Iggy Azalea & Charli XCX their debut televised performance of "Fancy," Macklemore's "Same Love," and countless other artists the same chance. 

This year, mtvU added the "Woodies Festival," a 4-hour concert event leading up to the live broadcast of the award show. Artists featured at the festival included Ty Dolla $ign, Clean Bandit with Jess Glynne, Rae Sremmurd and more. The pouring rain didn't stop thousands from gathering, either. 

The award show opened with UK newcomers Years & Years, which was followed up with a Woodies tribute performance by host and lead singer of Bleachers, Jack Antonoff. Other performances included James Bay and Fall Out Boy, with the 2015 award show being closed out with a killer performance from Big Sean. 

See photos from the 2015 mtvU Woodies below:

Awards:

Festival:

Crowd:



Concert Review: Chris Brown & Trey Songz Bring "Between The Sheets" Tour to LA with Special Guests

/

Chris Brown performing at The Forum in Los Angeles on March 8th, 2015 as part of the "Between The Sheets" tour (Michelle Kwong/Roman's Rap-Up).

Chris Brown and Trey Songz’ “Between The Sheets” tour finally stopped in Los Angeles on Sunday, putting on a show for the books. The sold-out crowd was on their feet the whole show, singing and dancing along under the intense lighting effects. Trey opened with "Foreign" and "Cake," both off his newest album “Trigga,” which was released in July of last year. He shared the stage with renowned artist Chris Brown, as they both delivered smooth and sexy vocals, along with several dance solos. Brown performed some of his newer tracks, including "Came to Do" and "Love More," as well as his very first single, "Run It!," which topped the charts when it was released back in 2005.

Trey Songz performing at The Forum in Los Angeles on March 8th, 2015 as part of the "Between The Sheets" tour (Michelle Kwong/Roman's Rap-Up).

The dynamic duo surprised their audience with several unannounced guests. Trey Songz was joined by blunt-carrying Ty Dolla $ign, as they performed the remix for "Paranoid," and Ty serenaded the crowd with "Or Nah." The crowd received a special surprise from Trey himself, as he shirtlessly performed "NaNa" and "Bottoms Up," which Chris applauded the men in the crowd for bringing their ladies to see. Also arriving at the party was none other than Nicki Minaj, who didn't hesitate to strut across the stage and dance with the gang, lending her voice for “Touchin’ Lovin’” and capturing the eyes of the crowd. A$AP Ferg was in attendance as well as Big Sean, who helped Chris Brown and the crowd with "IDFWU." Chris also "dropped it like it was hot" with legendary artist Snoop Dogg. The night ended with Chris Brown being joined on stage by his nephew and Kevin Hart, who helped him sing is 2014 platinum hit “Loyal.”

Chris Brown:

Trey Songz:

Watch Nicki Minaj take the stage with Trey Songz below: