By April’s end, millions nationwide will be able to share in collective and individual memories, along with the tens of thousands who ventured to the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City and farther up north at the Prudential Center in Newark as the Legacy Tour pulled into the area. Headliners New Edition wasted little to no time on capitalizing on the momentum generated by last year’s tour to bring their day-one and newfound followers assurance that they will do what they gotta do to get what they gotta get to secure their legacy as an all-time great group. Providing bang for the buck value for the tickets are Tank and headliners in their own rights Keith Sweat and the reunion of Guy (Aaron, Damon and Teddy Riley). The New York City area gets their turn on Thursday, April 20, at the USB Arena in Elmont.
For the most part, that is the story, because ultimately the consumers are there solely for the artist. However, how many all-star lineups failed to live up to expectations? Truthfully, way too many. Having seen samples of their operation, the Black Promoters Collective (BPC) is out to assure that the consumer will never leave a venue with that sentiment.
The BPC is a coalition of six of the nation’s top independent concert promotion and event production companies. As a 100% Black-owned business, its mission is to be the world’s leading producer and provider of culturally relevant live entertainment experiences. Why not? We deserve to get the best our artists have to offer.
Having promoted last year’s tour, the BPC was quite eager to spin the block. “Few recording artists can attest to a superior 40-year career that stands the test of time, but New Edition can,” said BPC CEO Gary Guidry. “When we partnered with NE for the Culture Tour, although I knew it would be stellar, their show exceeded my expectations; the guys were nothing short of miraculous. We are excited about partnering with New Edition to further the legacy of the foundation they have already laid.”
With the Legacy Tour in full swing, the BPC has two more star-studded packages on the move. In partnership with Urban Vibe Entertainment, the BPC announced its first comedy tour, called the Straight Jokes, No Chaser Comedy Tour. The event, hosted by Mike Epps, features standup comedy greats Cedric the Entertainer, Earthquake, D.L. Hughley, and DC Young Fly. The tour makes a stop at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., on Saturday, April 15.
The second features DJ Cassidy, who will take his primetime television series “Pass the Mic” on tour in 2023 in partnership with the BPC. “DJ Cassidy’s Pass the Mic Live!” tour kicks off on Friday, May 12, at the Prudential Center in Newark, with an epic lineup including Ashanti, Fabolous, Ja Rule, Lil Kim, Ma$e, Ne-Yo, Robin Thicke, 112, and a slew of exciting surprise guests. The debut show, brought to you by the SJ Presents “Mother’s Day Good Music Festival,” will be the first in a series of one-night-only events taking place throughout the year, each with its own unique roster of superstar performers.
“I am overwhelmed with excitement and emotion as I announce the first in a series of one-night-only ‘Pass The Mic Live!’ events,” said DJ Cassidy. “Transforming a show that began in my living room into a live arena concert is simply surreal. I am so honored to be uniting yet another iconic list of my musical heroes, this time live on stage, and I am so grateful for the Black Promoters Collective, whose grand vision, foresight, and experience is my guiding light.”
Putting work on stage and behind the scenes? It’s about that time. Let’s GO!! Over and out, holla next week; ’til then, enjoy the nightlife.