Everyone in Atlanta calls it the Birthday Bash, but for the second year in a row, Hot 107.9’s annual summertime concert threatened to become a birthday clash. With Young Jeezy’s dis track “24-23” in the air, and a war of words stretching back to their 2007 collabo “So Icey,” Gucci Mane and Jeezy had security in the packed Phillips Arena on edge. But just like last year, when tensions between T.I. and Shawty Lo threatened to overshadow the rest of the bill, the Bash went on without so much as a harsh word being thrown.
Though it was billed as Atlanta’s biggest concert of the year, WHTA FM’s 14th annual Birthday Bash did little to entertain anyone who frequents the city’s nightclubs. With neighborhood superstars Gucci Mane, Young Jeezy, Soulja Boy, OJ Da Juiceman, and Shawty Lo headlining, the crowd was either spoiled or simply bored by the acts they could see any given weekend in ATL.
Out of towners didn’t fare much better as Fabolous, Playaz Circle, and Lil Will appeared to be just as disinterested in being on stage as the crowd was seeing them there. A somber Rick Ross, who usually has his Carol City Cartel in tow, hit the stage solo and struggled to get the mostly tween-age crowd engaged with his brand of grown-folks hood music.
With each act’s set averaging just three to five songs, the line between hit and miss was very thin. Flavor of the month R&B singer Jeremih nearly squandered his time to shine by performing three songs before getting into “Birthday Sex.” Hometown favorites Young Dro and Yung LA made the most of their set by alternating songs and even making wardrobe changes along the way. R&B hotties Trey Songz and Keri Hilson each provided eye candy along with their audio entertainment, while Florida rapper Plies had the women screaming even before he invited a “lucky” fan to reach down into his boxers. Just to make sure the dudes had something to reach for, Plies sealed the deal by showering the crowd with $50,000 cash.
But it was Jeezy who provided the night’s biggest surprise by bringing both Mary J. Blige and Lil Wayne out during his set. Although MJB did not sing, Wayne—who flew in from California for the show—performed his verses from “Stay Strapped” and “Every Girl” before exiting. Unfortunately, Jeezy’s set never quite regained its momentum.
Atlanta’s music scene is known for supporting its own, and the Birthday Bash did just that—to a fault. The roster was loaded with local talent but lacked diversity, making the show less than memorable. Even as Jeezy performed “Put On,” his anthem to hometown pride—the audience was heading back out into the Atlanta night.
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