It’s now almost 5 p.m. and youth from around the city are arriving for a special VIP meet-n-greet. Backstage, we run into Young Lloyd who just finished doing an on-air interview with New Orleans radio station, WQUE-Q93. Though he reps Hotlanta, Lloyd lets fans know that he’ll always be a New Orleanian at heart (he was born in the city).

Next, we make our way into the radio room where we spy Ciara protégé, Tiffany Evans, interviewing with Q93’s A.D. Berry. Though she’s not on tonight’s bill, something tells us the 15-year-old will be making an appearance onstage tonight.

In addition to doing interviews in the room, the tour’s acts are also taking time out to meet a select group of fans. After about 20 minutes with no artists in the room, the fans start to get a bit restless. However, it’s only a matter of time before the KING himself, T.I. makes his way into the room, taking time to pose for pics with the lucky fans.

These young ladies didn’t seem to mind the wait.

Looks like this young lady wasn’t too happy about having to wait so long, though.

After meeting everyone, stepped up for his radio interview.

It wasn’t long before he was joined by his Grand Hustle/Atlantic Records fam, Big Kuntry & B.G.

Yung Joc wanders in and wants in on the interview! 

It’s now almost showtime so everyone goes back to their dressing rooms to get ready…see ya in a bit!

Today’s the big day! Only a few hours til showtime so everyone’s doing soundcheck to make sure things go off without a hitch at tonight’s show. I arrive at the New Orleans Arena around 1 p.m. to check out a few of the last minute rehearsals. T-Pain and Yung Joc’s tourbuses are already there.

Bet you can’t guess who this bus belongs to?

Yung Joc’s Bus

Inside, T-Pain has just finished rehearsing and now Yung Joc is running through his set.

After sticking around for a bit, I head out to grab a bite to eat. After all, I know I’ll have a loooong night ahead of me!