First and foremost, I would like to send a groovy Happy 4th of July shout to all my faithful SoundOff readers. Yea, I know I should be out celebrating and watching the fireworks light up my local local park, but I got he sudden urge to get some work done….sue me! Anyway, the first day of the Essence Music Festival, which is obviously presented by Coca Cola, has come to an end and it looked like a load of fun.

Though I wasn’t in attendance, I did manage to score some EXCLUSIVE pics courtesy of Skip Bolen and Johnny Nunez. If you happen to be at home tonight, let me know how you spent your 4th in the comments section below. And if you choose not to do so, scroll down……a couple comments about the photos from day one at Essence Music Festival will suffice…..for now lol!

Sincerely

Low “Happy 4th of July to EVERYONE” Key  

Chris Brown showing his fans some love at the Essence Music Festival

Good lord, Chilli STILL gives me the chills….SHEESH!  

MC Lyte was definitely in the house… 

Solange was all smiles during the first day of the Essence Music Festival...

You know when DJ S&S is on the 1’s and 2’s, the party never ends!

New Orleans Mayor, Ray Nagin, gives a speech at the Tyler Perry & Friends seminar.

BET’s very own, Rocsi and Terrence J…. 

Lynn Whitfield made sure her lip gloss was poppin before attending the Essence Music Festival!

I Think their conversation went something like this…

Ray(in gray): LowKey’s working on the Fourth of July?

Tyler (in white): Yea, man! Next to me, he’s one of the hardest working individuals in this business!

Ray: Yea, next year we definitely have to fly him out here….

Tyler: True, true!  

Essence Editor-In-Chief, Angela Burt-Murray, welcomes everyone to the 2008 Essence Music Festival @ the Tyler Perry & Friends seminar.

New Orleans Mayor, Ray Nagin, presents Tyler Perry with a Key to the City of New Orleans at the 2008 Essence Music Festival.

First Ja Rule, then Nas, then Jada, then Fat Joe and now Rocsi?!?!?! Yep, that’s right, good ol Curtis Jackson is back at it again, but this time the opposite sex is on 50’s radar. Rocsi from BET’s 106 & Park is now the new target for the hip hop titan due to a couple choice words the TV personality blurted out during 50’s infamous battle with Kanye West last year.

Well in response to Rocsi’s comments, Mr. Jackson has fired back! Since I’m pressed for time (I have to catch a flight to Miami in 2 hours), I’m going to link you guys up nice so you can get the FULL story on this hip hop soap opera. Talk about Wild Out Wednesday’s….lol!

Rocsi asserting 50’s new album is garbage 

50 Cent responds to Rocsi’s outburst (Scroll down to the bottom of the page and press play on the media player)

Well, what do you guys think of this tit for tat fiasco??????

Sincerely

Low “Mannnn, it’s going to be a long weekend” Key

She’s like a fine bottle of wine; she gets better as time progresses. Not only is she one of the BADDEST entertainers in the business, but she’s also one of the BEST! International superstar, Madonna stopped by BET’s 106 & Park to promote her new album, Hard Candy and BOY was it a sight to see.

While Madonna chopped it up with Terrance and Rocsi, we all (mainly me) stood there in AMAZEMENT as this cougar (a term for extremely attractive older women) displayed an effortless cool like NO OTHER. Yea I sound like a groupie right now, but I dare you to catch an in person glimpse of this blonde bombshell and act too cool for school….I DARE YOU!

There really isn’t more to say, except I am now OFFICIALLY in love! Catch Madonna on the 106 couch today at 6pm Eastern Time.  Scroll down for some more pictures of Madonna on the 106 and Park set.

Sincerely

Low “Madonna is best thing next to a cold bottle of Nestle Quick Chocolate Milk(and I LOVE Chocolate Milk) “ Key 

Madonna, Terrence (who is way to close to my wife) and Rocsi

Rocsi greeting Madonna on the 106 & Park set yesterday.

Terrence explaining to the 106 viewers how big Madonna’s appearance really is.  

So it’s day 2 of BET’s Spring Bling and LowKey has been on a non-stop interview and picture-taking spree. The homey JackPot and I took to the sands of West Palm Beach to start trouble, find some size 8 honey dips, point out the absurdities of the chosen beach apparel and–of course–bring you inside and backstage access to this year’s Spring Bling. Now you know LowKeezy snapped some exclusive flicks of this year’s performers, so check them out below, and make sure you check out BET April 10th-April 13th for Spring Bling.

Rocko took some time out to point at LowKey before he hit the stage.

Rocsi kept cool while talking with BET.Com

Soulja Boy and Riviera Beach Mayor, Thomas A. Masters.

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BET’s Thembisa Mshaka runs through 50 other different phrases DJ Khaled can use besides “WE THE BEST.”

Jive Recording artist, Dolla, hit us with an absurd and new way of playing Rock, Paper, Scissors.

Ray J and Yung Berg take a couple pictures before they hit the stage to perform their new song, “Sexy Can I.” Akon’s little cousin attempted to partake in the picture taking fiesta, but the oil he used to grease his upper torso was slowing him down.

-LowKey