(Benjamin Esakof/Roman's Rap-Up).
When you hear World Star Hip Hop is going to be hosting a party at SXSW, you know things are going to be wild. For this year's event, they brought in the likes of K Camp, Rae Sremmurd, Riff Raff, Kevin Gates, Ty Dolla $ign, and many more.
See more photos and videos from the big party below:
(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:
(Alexander Eggebeen/RCA Records)
Last September, female pop group G.R.L. made headlines in a different way. They lost a member, Simone Battle, when she unexpectedly took her own life. Since then, the band has been working with Give an Hour, a nonprofit organization raising mental health awareness with their campaign "Change Direction" and making, as member Lauren Bennett says, "something positive out of a bad situation."
Simone Battle performing at 103.3 Amp Radio's Birthday Bash in June, 2014 (Benjamin Esakof/Roman's Rap-Up).
G.R.L. says that after the tragedy, "taking the time needed to heal was most important." However, the group is grateful for the support of their fans, as well as their patience through the past few months, and "allowing them to get to where they need to be while they rebuild and get through their ordeal one step at a time."
At this time, they do not have a tour lined up, but are working forward as a quartet. With some unfinished projects from before Battle's passing that they look to focus on finishing, the girls "definitely want" to do a tour. Although they don't have any set dates for releases, G.R.L. says they're very excited to be "moving forward," and are "working on new music," not allowing the tragic events to hold them back as a group. They're expected to be seen on Australia's morning show "Sunrise", for the show's airing in Hawaii, and are "very excited" to return to Australia, as well as going to Vietnam for the first time.
G.R.L. says "Lighthouse" is their first major step forward since Battle's passing, and they wanted to reflect on her life in the best way they could. "Not everybody sees [mental health awareness] as important," and that it "[should be] just as common as going to the doctor's for a checkup," the girls told Roman's Rap-Up.
The "Change Direction" program was officially launched on March 4th, 2015, and focuses on spreading the awareness of the five signs that someone is struggling. The signs include personality changes, agitation, withdrawal, decline of self-care, and feeling hopeless; all signs which can be seen in oneself as well as others. "Change Direction" also works to provide resources for those in need of help, and those looking to help others who may be having trouble reaching out.
G.R.L. told us the program is estimated to become a nationwide campaign, if not global. At the launch in Washington, D.C., the group was "inspired" by first lady Michelle Obama's speech, which promoted the idea that there should be no stigma around mental health. The regional launch in Wisconsin is set for mid-March.
Give an Hour was founded by Barbara Van Dahlen in the spring of 2013. To learn more or if you wish to make a pledge to the program, you can visit www.changedirection.org or www.giveanhour.org.
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.”
Watch Nicki Minaj take the stage with Trey Songz below:
