Exclusive | Hennessy Artistry…Hip-Hop Goes back to it’s Roots

The Hennessy Artistry Tour ended is 2010 5 city tour in NYC last night. The soiree/concert was held in lower Manhattan’s Cipriani, a major destination for high end celebrity functions. Smoke machines and lighting effects added to the air of mystery as everyone milled around the expansive ballroom waiting for the show to start. Several kiosks were set up and bartenders served up specialty cocktails featuring the night’s sponsor, Hennessy. The cocktail of choice for us at JSD was Hennessy Berry, a dangerously delish concoction of Raspberry Puree, Hennessy VSOP, Lemon Juice, Fresh Lime and mint leaves. Tasty is an understatement, even if you don’t usually go for dark liquor this combo will change your mind, trust me, but be careful it’s a sneaky drink. Just when you think you’ve got it under control, it smacks you right in the head. I’m quite sure anyone in attendance can attest to that. In addition to the party in the main room an upper deck “Press Box” was made available to the media. The area was surrounded by images photographed by D-Nice. From there bloggers and journalists enjoyed passing H’orderves , a listening station featuring MP3’s of the nights performers, and a picture booth where you could have a photo taken against a Hennessy backdrop. Copies of the picture were ready to take home in five minutes.

After a quick photo session and a run in with friend of the site, Designer Edwing D’Angelo, we dashed back to the main room to stake out a great spot close to the stage. Front row center we awaited like anxious teenagers. The stage was set up the band’s equipment all laid out. Above the mainstage was the DJ booth where D-Nice kept the best hip-hop and r&b pumping throughout the night. Hit after hit the crowd danced and sang along. On either side of the DJ booth were large monitors displaying tweets about the event as well as *gulp* all photos from the photo booth. Much to our chagrin our photo repeated over and over again, one cocktail later the screen was all but forgotten. The lights dimmed and the stage lights went on high and Eve appeared. Fresh faced and jubilant she warmed up the crowd and introduced the band of the hour, The Roots. They kicked off the party in grand style pulling hit after hit from their catalog and even reaching into some other artists songbook for a killer set. By the time lead vocalist Black Thought got to his rendition of ODB’s “Shimmy Shimmy Ya” The crowd was hyped, dancing and rapping along.

The frenzy intensified at the arrival of co-curator Q-tip, who stirred the crowd with a few hits of his own. With Black Thought standing in for A Tribe Called Quest member Phife, the duo gave a stirring rendition of the classic “Relax”. DJ D-Nice got in on the fun leading the crowd in a sing along of his smash hit “My Name is D-Nice”. The energized crowd then extended a warm welcome to new comer Mike Posner who chimed in with his smash hit “Cooler Than Me”. He made himself at home on the stage laughing and interacting with band members before making a quick exit.

Next up on the roster the Legendary Ronald Isley A.KA. Mr. Biggs. Star power personified, even the band seemed starstruck, he presented the crowd with his smooth vocals and laid back style. He started his set with the constantly sampled “Between the sheets”, and went into “Living for the love of You”. It was hard to take our eyes off of Q-tip who seemed to be lost in the moment dancing an odd little dance. No egos on the set everyone came to have a good time, Q-tip and Black Thought went from headliners to backup singers in their jam session with the R&B Legend.

After the smoothed out set Eve returned to the stage firing up the crowd once more with anthems “Who’s that Girl”, and “What You Want” once the energy elevated it was brought back to a mellow groove as the Roots began the first notes of “You Got Me”, featuring Erykah Badu, who mounted the stage in a striped shift with tights and a blond wig. Ever the originator her golden wing wrist bands fluttered with every note.

After Eve’s departure Ms. Badu went on to sing a few hit of her own. “Window Seat” had the crowd entranced grooving to her smooth tones. Much to the dismay of every man in the room Ms. Badu kept her clothes on for this rendition. She ended her set with a chopped and screwed rendition of “Love of My Life”.

The anxious crowd kept looking to the wings wondering if Common was making an appearance, our hopes were dashed but we recovered instantly as R&B crooner Bobby Brown attacked the stage! A one man wrecking crew he worked every inch of the stage flirting and leaping his way through “Every Little Step” then pulling out all the stops for a sultry rendition of “Tenderoni”. He closed his set with the high octane “My Prerogative” a crowd favorite. Swaying dancing and singing along the crowd was enthralled. The energy was palpable act after act the anticipation intensified.

Who could close a show of this magnitude? Mary J Blige in all her golden glory approached the stage for a medley of crowd favorites. She kicked off her set with “Be Happy” which led right into “I Love You” she closed with the fist pumping “Real Love” before making a hasty exit. With the energy still high and the DJ still spinning, drinks flowing the crowd partied on well after the stars had left the main ball room. It wasn’t until the light went on and security politely ushered revelers to the exits that the night came to a close. A grand celebration of life culture and most of all music. The Roots and Q-tip are hip-hop artists who inspire peace and tranquility amongst people, they created a fun relaxed atmosphere and with the exception of a few verbal exchanges at the start the night it remained that way long after their departure. Hip-Hop originated from a need to connect, a desire to unify and last night’s The Hennessy Artistry Tour serves as a power-packed reminder.

As always, we have exclusive images and video right from the front of the stage!!!

Special Thanks to the wonderful folks at Hennessy.