On a Thursday night (Oct. 22), Power 105.1 had Brooklyn going up.
The borough home to Biggie and Hov was on absolute tilt as they took over the Barclay’s Center for their annual Powerhouse concert, which highlights the hottest talents in hip-hop and R&B. This year’s lineup was chockfull of artists from newcomers, young OGs and artists reaching legendary status.
For those of you who weren’t able to make it to BK to watch everything unfold, scroll through to find out what all you missed from #PowerHouseNYC2015, as we breakdown the wins and fails of this year’s show.
A pleasant reminder that there’s still more to come from Jeremih
Jeremih may be the reigning king of Rap&B collaborations, but during his stealthy set, which included hits like “Planes,” “I’m A Star,” and guest appearances from 2Milly and a Natalie La Rose look-alike (fail), it was his a cappella version of “Birthday Sex” that moved the crowd.
.@Jeremih performing “Birthday Sex” on the keyboard #PowerhouseNYCpic.twitter.com/oa6sA5bkUu
— The Big Four Report (@thebig4report) October 23, 2015
The Casanova serenaded fans with his 2009 chart-topping hit while adding a special touch of his piano – a reminder that the clock is still ticking on his next album. Five years and counting…
Damn near everyone got an invite to Meek’s set…except Wale
Just 24 hours after Wale threw shots at Meek Mill during a visit to The Breakfast Club—according to Wale, Meek “brought a pencil to a gun fight”—the Philly emcee appropriately kicked off his highly-anticipated set with “Fuck You.” All smiles, Meek performed fan favorites, not even bringing up the so-called beef alongside his double-digit posse. And when the DJ cued up “All Eyes On You,” audiences expected his girlfriend Nicki Minaj to appear, but he explained that she couldn’t make it because she was taking too long to get ready.
The Boss @richforever @meekmill #PowerhouseNYC A video posted by DopeJunkieDotCom (@dopejunkiedotcom) on
Instead, Meek made his set a MMG reunion minus Wale and Stalley, welcoming Rick Ross on stage as they performed “I’m A Boss.” In the midst of their performance, Minaj magically appeared front and center looking her boo up and down and drifting back behind the DJ booth to let him rock. Rozay then took over the stage making it his own mini show rocking the stage with hit after hit. Of course, DJ Khaled, who was in New York on his own press run in promotion for his I Changed A Lot album that dropped at midnight, talked his usual sh** on the stage. An honorable mention goes to A$AP Ferg who turned up the crowd with “Shabba Ranks” and “Work” as one of the numerous guest appearances during Meek’s set. Guest appearances are great and all, but Meek’s long-winded set was the possible culprit of another artist’s flubbed set timing-wise.
The moment Fetty Wap was crowned king
Fetty Wap was crowned as Powerhouse’s MVP as Remy Boyz’ injured frontman thugged out his first performance since his nearly fatal motorcycle accident. Wap’s 1738 squad carried him out in a plush throne as he yelled into the mic, “These muthaf**kas can’t stop me.” Fetty performed his bangers like “679,” “My Way,” “Again” and more. Throughout his set he apologized for his temporary confinements to the sold-out crowd saying, “I want to thank you [all]. I got that urge to do what I do best. I’m sorry. This is the first time I’ve ever been nervous on stage.”
#FettyWap x #PowerhouseNYC [r.p @hollywoodunlocked ] A video posted by News With A Side of Tea (@thacelebritea) on
Even still, Zoovier gave a phenomenal performance and still kept his spirits and swagger up running impressive vocal runs and raps. French Montana also joined him on stage. Before bidding the crowd adieu with the song that single-handedly catapulted his career (“Trap Queen”) his friends helped him stand up and he gave his fans a special message, “I swear to God I didn’t ask for this. I didn’t think it would be what the f**k this sh** is. The reason is because y’all.”
In addition to killing his set, no one came close to Big Sean’s on-set visuals
Big Sean brought grand visuals curated by Mike Carson complete with smoke machines and elaborate color-changing flickers of light. He kicked off his larger than life set with “Paradise.” In his signature style, Sean glided through his countless hits while purveying a great stage presence. He also cued up recent cuts “Blessings,” “I Don’t F**k With You,” “Play No Games” and more.
.@BigSean hit the stage with the best visuals of the night! #PowerhouseNYC pic.twitter.com/PXs133m1dT
— The Big Four Report (@thebig4report) October 23, 2015
One memorable highlight from the Detroit native’s set was sly rearrangement of a verse on “All Me,” as he coyly rapped, “probably making less money than me and s**t.” (Hint: Naya Rivera.)
Jumpman, jumpman, jumpman…
The #FutureHive was in full effect for Future’s set as he took things next level to Pluto and beyond. To begin, his DJ, EscoMoeCity, proved he was truly the “coolest muthaf**kin’ DJ in the world” when he had his own DJ to mix jams while he paraded across the stage, turning up the crowd in preparation for Future’s grand entrance. Dope, right?
My nigga @future was killing shit 🎥#PowerHouse2015 #FBG #FtBc A video posted by R.I.P Mom & Aunt Dee 😇 (@budda_ftbc) on
A white-leather jacket and red hoodie combination-clad Future danced his way onto the stage performing cuts from DS2 and What A Time To Be Alive. For day-one fans, he gifted them with the uplifting and aspirational “Chosen One.” While Future and Esco already won the crowd over with his back-to-back hits, it was his power play he made with his dope moves to “Commas” that was the highlight of the night and had the crowd lit. An honorable mention also goes to Fewtch for showing street love to East New York’s very-own Uncle Murda, who joined him on the stage to perform “Right Now.”
Powerhouse has their work cut out for them before getting back on Kendrick’s good side
As the headliner, Kendrick’s performance fell short, literally. However, this wasn’t on his accord. With the show ridiculously behind schedule and a pending curfew, Kendrick had to rush through his set that had potential to be a show to remember (for good reasons). A bit thrown off by the chaos, K. Dot and his DJ MixedbyAli quickly ran the gamut of the Compton natives hits from Good Kid M.A.A.D City like “Backseat Freestyle,” “Money Trees,” “Don’t Kill My Vibe,” and more. “They’re going to have to cut my mic off,” he said, determined to give his New York fans the best show possible despite the circumstances. Kendrick followed up with To Pimp a Butterfly cuts “King Kunta” and “Alright.” It’s safe to say that we won’t be surprised if Kendrick declines future Powerhouse appearances.
That moment you sneak ahead two floor sections during an intermission to see a live Kendrick Lamar set. A video posted by Shamiek Williams (@kingmiek) on