With summer slowly closing its curtains, Genius held its third annual Genius IQ/BBQ and live concert on (Sept. 7) in Brooklyn, NY. After the end-of-summer event opened its doors and hit capacity, music lovers who made it were in for an interactive, day-long experience.
Presented by Boost Mobile, the free event offered a sky deck view and lounge for V.I.P. guests as well as a warehouse full of both indoor and outdoor experiences. From vendors to ice-cold White Claw beverages to a one-of-a-kind multiplayer trivia game, attendees’ attentions were absorbed in activities and an all-around good time. In between sets and as the indoor stage radiated hues of purple, DJ S.WHiT! spun hits from your 1st or 2nd generation iPod.
RCA recording artist Destiny Rodgers took the stage to command the room with her hip-hop, pop, and R&B infused set as she performed her singles, “North$ide,” “Apologies,” “Lockdown,” and “Tomboy.”
Hailing from South Haven, Indiana, self-taught guitarist Omar Apollo brought the funk, psychedelic rock, and rhythm and blues while performing “Kickback,” “You Got Me,” “Unbothered,” and “Brakelights.”
Yung Baby Tate sported a dark purple laced bustier, black skirt, and thigh-high boots while she sang her hits “Pretty Girl,” “That Girl,” and “Beckham.” The Atlanta producer, rapper, and singer also performed her unreleased track “All Dat” and paid homage to Nicki Minaj while she rapped her “Babytron/Megatron” rendition.
Ann Marie slowed the BBQ down with her R&B sounds rocking a late ’90s/2000s-inspired black leather fit. The Interscope Records songstress melodically delivered “Handle It,” “Unlove You,” “Ride For Me,” “Throw It Back,” and “My Body,” while her backup dancers kept up with their hard-hitting moves.
Rising rapper and Bronx-native Lil Tjay helped to warm up the crowd with his newly released single “F.N.” that had the crowd putting their middle fingers up. The 18-year-old Columbia Records signee rapped through his reflective lyrics keeping the crowd hooked from start to finish.
The one and only Doja Cat fans warmed the artist up before she appeared on stage, chanting “Doja, Doja, Doja, Doja.” Rocking a yellow, black, and white Fashion Nova pantsuit and jacket set, the 23-year-old engaged with her fans singing her hits “Roll With Us,” “Go To Town,” “So High,” “Game,” “Juicy,” “Tia Tamara,” and “Moo!.”
Headliner 21 Savage took over the stage with a 30-minute set as shades of red with hints of green captured the emotion in the UK-native’s performance. The Billboard chart-topping rapper took his fans back in time opening with his 2016 single “Red Opps.” 21 carried his set going into Savage Mode with “No Heart,” and “X” and gave fans a few M’s while rapping “Bank Account.”
The Not All Heroes Wear Capes artist closed out the event with performances of “Don’t Come Out The House” and “10 Freaky Girls” off of his 2018 album, making the third annual Genius IG/BBQ live concert an event to remember.