The music festival was live-streamed on TIDAL and You Tube featuring a solid line-up
Photo credits: Courtesy
Staff
Neither the rain, nor the ‘panoramic’ could deter the 10th Anniversary of MIA Fest’s shine. The two-day gig brought together all the music industry’s heavyweights this past weekend in the gloomy Philly weather.
Concertgoers partied in the rain as Labor Day Weekend was ushered in in high spirits.
Meanwhile, Philly State was all about safety as fans were required to adhere to Covid-19 protocols, producing a 48-hour negative test or a vaccine passport in order to see their faves in action on stage.
In a sold-out event, mogul Jay-Z and wife Beyoncé’s inaugural festival that went down on 4th & 5th September at Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia Pennsylvania was a star-studded show spectators and music lovers could not afford to miss.
The two-day experience was a celebration of hip-hop’s leading cast and pop’s larger than life acts across the three themed vibrant stages – Liberty Stage, Rocky Stage, and the TIDAL Stage.
Thousands of fans were pampered to amazing performances from a bevy of stars as they sung lyrics to every record they missed during the Covid-imposed pause to live shows.Live shows and the entertainment industry’s ecosystem was hugely affected following the choke to shows and live entertainment, but the crowd was more upbeat than ever to witness the magic performers had in store for them.
Day 1Saturday saw Quality Control’s big-ticket act Lil Baby close out the show on a platform stage with dancers, carts, a sofa on stage referencing the trap, while he brought out collaborators such as hometown heroes, Lil Uzi Vert & Meek Mill. He ran through his hit songs including Wants & Needs, We Paid, Sum 2 Prove, Freestyle, My Dawg, Sharing Locations, Commercial, and many others proving his pedigree as the one of the most prominent hit-making names in hip-hop once again. Before the ‘Everybody’ rapper took to the stage, performances from Roc Nation’s Megan Thee Stallion highlighted her grip as one of hip hop’s grandeur female emcees, Kehlani’s post-apocalypse sexy show serenaded the crowd, YSL leader Young Thug’s gaudy set in his pink punk ensemble —bringing out label-mate Duke as well as teasing new records off his forthcoming record ‘PUNK’— and performing on top of a giant spider, among other showings from Griselda, A$AP Ferg, Baby Keem, Coi Leray, Latto, Pierre Bourne, Fivio Foreign, Duke Deuce, and others absolutely scorched day one.
Meek Mill’s surprise performance was a savory moment as the rapper came through clutch with GS9 and Brooklyn rapper Rowdy Rebel. The ‘Mandela’ rapper had some activism moments as he thanked his fans for their solidarity with him through his prison reforms and systemic injustices. “Young East Coast n****s did they time, came home. Doing better as men. Came home, so I want to shout out everybody that support me and GS9” he said to the ecstatic sea of fans who went on to a screaming elation. He also had light moments with his billionaire friend, 76ers owner and tycoon Michael Rubin as videos of the latter in the rappers’ jewelry were spreading online. click link to see Meek goof with Mike Rubin:
Day 2
Sunday was the blockbuster and final day. Justin Bieber was the headliner, with a supporting role from co-headliners Doja Cat and Compton rapper Roddy Ricch. The ‘Stay‘ artist took to the stage at around 9:23pm as the crowd went into a frenzy as he showed up slightly late.
“Philly, what’s up? I’m so happy to be here” Justin shared with his fans during his set after performing a number of tracks.
Justin’s poignant show saw Don Toliver, Quavo, Kid Laroi, and of course the highlight of the night, Afrobeats singer –Wizkid who is having the summer of his life with his anthem ‘Essence’ featuring Tems & the remix with Justin.
The two looked at home displaying chemistry onstage and belting out their hit song much to the delight of the packed show.
click to see performance below:
Doja Cat’s stellar performance was also zealous with her fans backing her on stage, arguably having the best performance of the night with her tight-knit choreography, stunning fit, and nonchalant vocals – even though she used Autotune through some parts.
Other triumphant stages of the day were “Wokesha’’ artist Moneybagg Yo’s appearance, Roddy’s masterful set featuring a Nipsey tribute, Lil Durk’s OTF climax, Freddie Gibbs’ textbook lyricism, EST Gee’s further dominance, and the icing on the cake, Bobby Shmurda’s return to the main stage in Philly.
Bobby’s energy was infectious as he teamed up with friend and rapper Rowdy Rebel to shut down the stage undoubtedly reminding fans why they should be patient for the two previously incasrcarated rappers’ new music soon to be released.
