NewShoes Write Up:
Presented by Team InKredible & 5Star Management
DOX, KOMPLEX, BUTTA BILLIONS, PRIMEVIL, WORLDARAMA, G STRONG, TNG CHARTA, JIMMIE BONES. We packed up our bags and hit the road in a tour bus to showcase their skills as unsigned artist, in New Jersey and Philly. There are so many fun memories, jokes,enlightening conversations between strangers, cyphers/ freestyles (both) artist and staff, minor disagreements and a knock out punch between an artist and his friend that had the entire tour bus baffled.
Unfortunately the rooms that were reserved for us in Philly was given to other parties at the hotel we were suppose to stay at due to some convention... we traveled for about two hours trying to find a hotel that could room all of us. We lucked up on "Quality Inn" but they only had six rooms, mind you there was at least 22 people on the tour bus with us (three females- including myself and the rest males). YIKES, I know right smh. The management of the tour tried to make the best out of what was offered to them via the hotel. They tried to first put me in a room with the other two females, at first I was cool with hit; until I got to the room and noticed that it was a queen bed with no extra blankets or cot. I refused to sleep on the bed with two other females. Don't get me wrong there was nothing wrong with the females but I wanted to relax freely.AAHHHHH!!! It's almost six in the morning mind you...I'm tired and od cranky. Ya'll know I went back downstairs and complained to the tour management. Acting like a "diva" for about twenty minutes, I got my way though. They were so mad at me for showing out too. I love you guys- but ya'll knew NewShoes wasn't going to room with males.
Few hours later, after a free buffet breakfast - which I missed cause I slept in, we checked out and Philly was our next destination. The energy and adrenaline was still in the air as the artists made there way towards the tour bus; I began taking pictures of them along with a few mini interviews with the help of Worldarama. We touched Philly early afternoon, with time to spare before the Philly show; so we painted the downtown mall with our presents and Team Inkredible business cards. The goal was to get as many people aware of the Team Inkredible Tour and to come out to the show that night to support the artists. As I walked the mall halls exploring I could see the tour artists passing out their business cards/fliers, trying to pick up females and most importantly networking.
We pulled up to the 2nd spot "Club 1800" early evening... as we waited for the club to open up the artists started trickling out of the tour bus for some fresh air, smoke break and/ or store run. Next thing I hear is someone knocking on the side of the bus - in a steady beat and Dox starts spitting / freestyling over it. I got off the bus as a small circle is formed around him, we all begin to bop our heads and smile as he's going in with his flow. Then a few other artist starts jumping into the cypher. I was amazed when Komplex said "I want to eat." which meant he wanted to spit. His lyrical demeanor had me taken back. We even had some R&B in the mix by a young man by the name of Jose who accompanied another artist on the tour and he performed in his set. His voice boooyyyyyy.... It had that southern ring to it. He can sannnnggg.
Finally what I was waiting for PHILLY'S SHOWCASE hosted by Cal (and I was suppose to host with him smh....don't ask. I was just playing my position and grateful to be there all the same)...myself, the rest of the Team Inkredible Tour staff and artist all anticipated this night. I knew for sure there would of been a better turn out then the night prior. Unfortunately it wasn't. A few Philly artist came and rocked out on the stage in between the New York artists sets, but I don't feel they showed the New York artists support as much as the New York artists showed them; on and off stage. Somehow E Ness from Diddy's "Making The Band" got word of the showcase and came through; showed love to all the artist and spectators. I feel so bad that the rest of Philly and you guys didn't get to witness these creative and talented artists as they did their thing on stage. Don't worry- footage is coming!!
Ohhh the journey coming back to New York was "OUT OF CONTROL" in Craig Herring's voice. The tour bus stopped not even 20 minutes into us traveling back ... actually we were attempting to get something to eat before we hit the highway...as we stopped at a red light, I could feel the bus shout off..."YOOOO I KNOW THE BUS DID NOT STOP!" I blurted out. At first no one responded to me- not sure if they were ignoring me due to a few people talking amongst each other or sleeping... then I had to repeat myself making a joke of it. Next thing I know most of the front of the bus started singing and freestyling to the fact that the bus stopped and we were stuck in the middle of a major street. Jokes started circulating and oddly the topic about religion and God came up...smh ...ya'll know that's a touchy topic to talk about and discuss. The singer, Jose, even taped in and gave his insight on how he felt recording the discussion at the same time.... I sat back listening, taking in what they were saying and prayed that the bus would start back up. We must of sat there for a good 15-20 minutes before some passengers on the tour bus started inquiring how much it would be to take a taxi from where we were in Philly to Brooklyn, NY. Then Debo, two of the artists manager, got off the bus and started talking to a homeless man on the side of the street with a sign that read something about " he's a veteran and God Bless us all". Debo got the homeless man to show and walk with him and a few other people off the tour bus the closest open deli, which was a good ten minute walk away. After almost waiting three hours for the couch bus' road assistance to come assist, he gets it started and a few minutes later the bus brakes down again ON THE HIGHWAY this time with a FLAT AT THAT. Felt like I was on an amusement park ride when the tire popped. The driver drove to the 2nd nearest gas station, fixed the flat and we attempted the 3rd time and yeah ... it shout off again "OUT OF CONTROL" right lol. Finally the driver got it to start up and get us back to New York safely just as the sun was trying to peek out.
Over all this was a great experience for myself. Giving me the glimpse into what is to come in the future, I got the chance to network and meet new people and most of all I found out that it takes a lot of work and dedication to put an entire tour together. I want to thank the entire Team Inkredible : Craig Herring, Black Lotto, Cal, Dj Shuttle, Worldarama and 5Star Management; all artist and supporters for making this weekend memorable for myself and sharing this experience with me. Nice stop on the Unsigned Explosion Tour is Connecticut and Boston June 28th and 29th. Artist/ Managers hit up 1917-310-1228 for questions or email unsignedexplosiontour@gmail.com www.unsignedexplosion.us
