I’m going to be straight up with you guys; I wasn’t a fan of The Goon. But, when I skated up to Atlantic Records for his meet and greet, I must admit, he won me over…JUST A LITTLE! Though his music isn’t horrible, it’s jut not my cup of tea. However, I will say, Da REAList sounds like a nice, polished piece of work. His third album in about two years is scheduled to invade the streets December 16 and I’m sure it’ll fair well, even though the climate sucks right now.

Surprisingly, The Goon (sorry, I can’t help it lol) was very personable and emotional yesterday. He explained to us how he never thought he would see the day the big wigs at Atlantic Records would consider him a real priority; it almost brought tears to his eyes (word to Big Bird). He played about 7 records for us; all of which sounded real “Goonish”.

One particular record he cared a great deal about was a track called “Family Straight”. He explained it’s his most personal song he’s ever recorded and how his family might not be to accepting of him revealing their personal business to the masses. Though I enjoyed most of the material presented, I must say, “Me and My Goons” is my FAVORITE track from Plies…EVER! I can’t wait to play that song in the whip with my 4 year-old niece riding shotgun (she give a MEAN screw face when she’s riding with “Uncle LowKey”).

After the meet and greet, which had some of the best Buffalo Wings my tastes buds ever made love to, I jetted back to the office to finish up my portion of the Kanye West Experience Package. The big/lil brother, Niles (Special Opps at Atlantic Records) scooped me up for Plies’ VIBE Magazine Knitting Factory concert downtown. GOON TIME!

I arrived a bit late (we had a drink beforehand), but no worries, Niles shouted to one of the doormen, “Yo, he’s with BET”; ahhhh EASY ACCESS! However, some voluptuous honey dip had a hissy fit when the doorman stopped searching her so I could get in first. To be honest, I was ready to say, “Nah, finish her, I can wait” but since she started sounding like my 5^th grade Asthma Attacks (I couldn’t walk two inches without using my Inhaler, lol), I hopped right in front of her. GET OVER IT!

The usual suspects (YL, The Real, B Dub from VIBE Magazine) were already inside talking industry talk (whatever that means) so I decided to join them. However, since I got there late, the show was minutes from starting which meant we had to go upstairs. One problem: LowKey didn’t have a VIP wristband. No worries, VIBE Magazine’s EIC, Danyel Smith fixed that in a jiffy. GOOD LOOKS D.SMITH!

For his first New York show, The Goon did quite alright. He performed cuts I was obviously unfamiliar with, but he also touched a couple of his commercial hits (“Shawty”, “Bust It Baby”) and a couple features he appeared on in the past 12 months. Big shouts to Funkmaster Flex, Cipha Sounds, DJ Envy, DJ Whookid, DJ Self, Angela Yee, The Real Brothers, Boss Lady, Prezz, YN, B-Dub, B.Dot, Sowmya (you have one more time to punch me) The Gooch, Tashana V (you’re going to be me and Niles’ co-star), Lexx (the worst blogger, JOKING), Wexx, JC from VIBE Magazine, Hillary from Billboard and everyone I ran into yesterday.

Hmmmm, I wonder where I’ll end up tonight……LUDA CONCERT?? YUPPPPPP!

Checkout some photos and video from last nights festivities, below!

Sincerely

Low “Should I take a chill pill???? HELL NAH, I LOVE THIS SH*T” Key

Funkmaster Flex looking all KINDS of constipated in this picture (Great job last night, though).

Oh Terrence…..

This picture actually scares me……

Plies talks about his new album, “The Realist” and gives thanks during his meet and greet at Atlantic Records on November 24.

Plies performs his smash hit, “Bust It Baby Pt.2″ live at The Knitting Factory on November 24. Plies performs “Shawty” live at The Knitting Factory on November 24. Plies performs his verse from Shawty Lo’s, “They Know” remix at The Knitting Factory on November 24. Plies performs “Please Excuse My Hands” live at The Knitting Factory on November 24.

Doing things the regular way, for some odd reason, just doesn’t appease me. I had ample amounts of time to retrieve a Power 105.1, Powerhouse Concert ticket, but yet and still, I waited till the last minute to begin my quest for one, go figure. Anyway, to make a long story short, I obtained a ticket from one of the Clear Channel’s head honchos (THANKS Josefa) who received my last minute ticket plea from one of the Power 105 DJ’s….AWESOME!

I hit the venue around 7:10 after an eventful excursion from the train station to the actual arena. Get off here, climb these steps, do 12 push-ups; I felt like I was training for the Navy with the scavenger hunt they sent me on. DJ clue warmed the crowd up with some home town hits before Yonkers representatives, D-Block, hit the stage. Though it was insanely obvious the trio needed a bit of stage coaching, they did have a grand time reintroducing the tri-state area to an array of hits. “Wild Out”, Good Love”, “All About The Benjamin’s”, “Blow My Mind” all took turns terrorizing the sound system (in a good way) while the audience rapped line for line for a majority of the set.

As Jada begun to initiate the the introduction to his new single,” By My Side”, the sound man, obviously instructed, cut Jada’s mic and the lights before he could even spew a lyric. No remorse for them D-Block Boys; the show must go on. Neyo, the only R&B act on the heavily infested hip hop bill, held his own for the 45 (seemed longer) minutes he was on stage. Surprisingly, Neyo filled his set with surprise guest after surprise guest. First, he let Jada get his rocks off with “By My Side”, and then he pulled Plies out his hat to perform, “Bust It Baby” Pt.2. Assuming the crowd thought he was finished, heasserted, “We ain’t done yet” which was obviously the cue for Brooklyn’s own, Fabolous to hit the stage for a short, but sweet version of “Make Me Better”. Of course covering his own hits (”Because of You”, “Sexy Love”, “Nobody”, “Miss Independent” and “Closer”) Neyo played the Gangsta and The Gentlemen roles quite well.

Since The Martian jumped ship the previous night for Boston’s, Powerhouse Concert (Lil Wayne hearts Metal Detectors part 90) the rumor mill was buzzing on whether or not Daddy Carter would actually show. According to several reliable sources, Weezy also missed sound check earlier in the day. I’m assuming since the Tri-State Area doesn’t give a rats ass about how many records you sell in a week, Wayne made SURE he was front center come show time. While I do enjoy bits and pieces of Mr. Carter’s material, his stage show just isn’t one those bits or pieces.

The heavily rock influenced set did its justice and injustice to Wayne’s tracks all in the same breath. I get the rock star ambiance, but it sounds like Wayne and The Carters need to polish up their stage performance. “Mr. Carter” sans Jay-Z and “Got Money” sans T-Pain lacked in energy, but the Tri-State ate it up regardless. “Fireman” recaptured wandering minds (including mine), but went astray during his floor crawling experience throughout, “Lollipop”. He then strapped on his guitar and proceeded to do what rockers do; look down at his apparatus and make awkward faces as if it was straining each and every brain cell to play the damn thing.

He covered several more Carter 3 joints (“Ms. Officer” w/Bobby V, “Misunderstood”, “C3” and “Shoot Me Down” and even brought out his pappy for a quick “Pop Bottles” verse. “A Milli” ended things off, but not to be outdone by his Whitney Houston rendition of “I Will Always Love You”. *DONTFL* (Dead On The Floor Laughing).

The REAL Mr. Carter took to the stage and captured the attention of all from JUMP. If you’ve been to a Jay-Z outing in the past 12 months, you pretty much know his stage set how like the back of your hand. But if you’re a true fan and just enjoy his presence and music, none of that should really matter because it’ll still feel like it’s your very first Jay-Z experience.

Crowd favorites like “Lucifer”, “Song Cry” “Blue Magic”, “Can I Live”, “Pray” “Can I Get A” and “Jigga My Ni&&a” easily entertained, but “PSA”, “You Don’t Know”, “Show Me What You Got”, “Swagga Like Us”, “Roc Boys, “Excuse Me Miss”, “99 Problems” “Encore” and “Do My” simply set the stadium ablaze.

Like I said, frequent Jay-Z shows and you’ll have his stage experience down to a T, which is why when he slid over to DJ AM’s computer to run through the 3565654656 hits he forgot to demolish, we all knew Beyonce wasn’t too far behind. And like clock work, “Bonnie and Clyde” leaked through speakers followed by “Crazy In Love”, which led up to Beyonce cat walking from the back for an impromptu (not really) performance of “Single Ladies”.

D-Block, Neyo, Fab, Jay, Beyonce….I think I’m good for another 30 days.

For more exclusive, official footage from last nights show, slide over to the Power 105 residence,( Free and Lil Wayne talk about his new son, and missing several shows) they got you covered. But if you don’t feel like navigating, scroll down, I captured some show footage, GUERILLA STYLE!

Sincerely

Low “It never gets old” Key

Kid Capri gets the party started at Power 105’s Powerhouse Concert Neyo hits the stage at Power 105.1’s, Powerhouse Concert

Neyo brings out Plies to perform, “Bust It Baby Pt.2” at Power 105’s, Powerhouse Concert

Neyo brings out Fabolous to perform, “Make Me Better” at Power 105’s, Powerhouse Concert

Lil Wayne performs, “Mr. Carter” at Power 105’s, Powerhouse Concert last night at the Izod Center in New Jersey

Powerhouse welcomes Jay-Z to the stage

Jay- Z performs his verse from “Swagger Like Us” at Power 105’s Powerhouse Concert at the Izod Center in New Jersey

Jay- Z and DJ AM run through about 12 hit Jay- Z records in a game they like to call, “F That”

Let’s face it, Ted Lucas is an OG. But if you let him tell it, his humble persona will throw you astray. He’s seen the the highest of the highs and the lowest of the lows, but yet, he carries the Slip-N-Slide torch as if it was just handed to him 20 minutes prior to our conversation; with pride and enthusiasm.

I chopped it up with the Slip-N-Slide boss (on THIS side of town as well) about whether or not his current clients (Rick Ross and Plies) would fair well during the golden years of Slipe-N-Slide and his estranged relationship with Trick Daddy. Check out what he had to say….

Ted Lucas on Rick Ross and Plies…..

 “If the artists affiliated with Slip-N Slide today came out during the old Slip-N-Slide days, Rick Ross would’ve sold four million by now, Plies would’ve been at two million going on three million by now and between both of their freshmen debut’s we would be at seven or eight million ten years ago based on these two artists and where they are at material wise and fan base wise. I’m fortunate enough to have two of the hardest out right now.”

Ted Lucas on Trick Daddy….. 

“You have a family member that you don’t get along with everyday, but you still love him. I love Trick, that’s my brother and he might not make some of the wisest decisions with everything he may choose to do, but I still love him. I just got off the phone with him and I’m helping him negotiate his new label, Dunk Ryder records. I want to see him successful, I want to see him make as much money as possible and my door is always open for Trick.”

Sincerely

Low “Uh huh, ok, what’s up……SHUT UP…LOL” Key

The Dream Features

Kardinal Offishall ft. The Dream- Gimmie Some

T.I. ft. The Dream- Like I Do

Plies ft. Jamie Fox and The Dream- Please Excuse My Hands

Gym Class Heroes ft. The Dream- Cookie Jar

LL Cool J ft. The Dream- Baby

Songs The Dream Has Written

Kerri Hilson- Energy

Karina Pasian- 16 @ War

Usher- Trading Places

Ciara ft. Ludacris- High Price

Alright ladies and gentleman, let’s start the discussion…….The Dream……Favorite Track…..Now!!!

Sincerely

Low “At press time, LowKey’s favorite is Please Excuse My Hands” Key

Is Plies hip hop’s next fibber? HipHopDx thinks so.

What in the world is going on this year? First, Akon hit us with the SERIOUS pumpfake about his prior convictions, then Mr. Richard Ross issued a fib about his previous employment affairs (and got his CARD pulled)…NOW, Mr. Certified Goon himself, Plies, is at the center of HipHopDX’s attempt at blowing his thuggery cover.

If you’re familiar with Plies’s catalogue, then you’re aware of his “GOONISH” vernacular and how often it’s used. Though the investigation isn’t exactly closed, HHDX did pull some interesting facts from Plies’s previous law entanglements. Check out what they found….

“The FDLE’s criminal record for Plies shows that the self-described “goon affiliated, ex drug dealer” who’s “resume solid, street cred bigger” has been arrested just twice within his home state of Florida during his adult life, with both arrests taking place two years ago. The 32-year-old was arrested for the first time at the age of 29 on April 12, 2006 for the misdemeanor charge of resisting an officer without violence.

The latter of his two adult arrests came during a well-publicized shooting at a Gainesville, Florida nightclub after a Plies performance on July 2, 2006. According to reports, members of the rapper’s entourage, including his older brother, Ronell “Big Gates” Lavatte, pulled out guns and fired in the club after Plies, who’s performance was running long, became angry when his microphone was cut off so that Lil Boosie could begin to perform.”

Read the rest here……

Is there a particular reason why these “thugged out rappers” are issuing these false life styles? I mean, is it that EASY to fool the consumer into believing they were dodging bullets at the tender age of 7??? What do you make of this foolery???? Chime in, NOW!!!

Sincerely

Low “One more lie, and I’m hitting the booth to record my debut, “It Doesn’t Take Much To Be A Thug Rapper” Key

LowKey gets the low down from Trick Daddy about Rick Ross pictures and Plies feud.

Trick Daddy doesn’t hold his tounge for anyone. With rumors swirling in regards to trouble brewing between him and fellow Florida artists, Rick Ross and Plies, Trick wasted no time responding to a piece done by BET’s Black Carpet in which they suggested him and Plies were feuding. Said Trick of the aforementioned beef between him and Plies, “First off all, I ain’t beefing with no Plies. Me and Plies had a brief misunderstanding, I said what I had to say and that’s as far as that goes.”

As far as Rick Ross and him feuding, the story lies a little bit deeper. Recently, Rick Ross had some incriminating photos surface which showcase the Miami superstar when he was employed as a correctional officer before his rise to fame.

Speculation of Trick leaking the photos began to cause a stir in the hip hop community, but once again, Trick denounced any immature activity on his end, “As far as the Rick Ross situation, that’s my homeboy” Trick asserted. “We’re from the same town, same city. I’m not into sneak dissing. I’m not into leaking any pictures, that’s a damn lie. I did NOT give anyone any pictures nor did I comment about the pictures. Next time, just come back to me, I’ll let you know anything.”

There you have it. No beef!

Sincerely

Low “Trick ain’t for the games” Key