Mo Pop is BACK!

One of my favorite music festivals is Mo Pop and it’s back for 2022! The Mo Pop Festival, July 30 and 31, will be at Hart Plaza in Detroit this year, and in year’s past I’m sure it’ll be a great time!

The post COVID line-up features some big names including Glass Animals, Kaytranada, and Dayglow. But, I’m most excited about Jhené Aiko and hometown hero Big Sean!

One thing I really love about the Mo Pop Festival is discovering new acts, so I’m also look forward to seeing what acts like Beach Bunny, Whu Else, and more have to offer. You can also expect the cool vibe with experiences like the Mo Arcade, Craft Bazaar, and food trucks.

Passes are available now here!

Detroit 2 is Here!

It’s interesting to watch an artist’s growth from somewhat unknown to an international superstar. I vividly remember the first time I saw or even heard of Big Sean, as he was an opening act on a show for The-Dream in Detroit. And, you know how you usually do at a concert; you’re focused on the headliner and the opener is just background noise, BUT something about Big Sean made me pay attention. I bobbed my head and was intrigued, and decided then and there that I would pay attention and follow his career. So, here we are at the release of Detroit 2, Big Sean’s fifth solo album. 

The album has several features but two particularly stand out for me; Nipsey Hussle on “Deep Reverence” and Stevie Wonder on “Story by Stevie Wonder”, both legends. On “Deep Reverence” Big Sean touches on many topics including the pressures of life, a miscarriage, and reconciliation with Kendrick Lamar.  Stevie Wonder’s spoken word performance on “Story by Stevie Wonder” gives an insight on his upbringing in Detroit, neighborhood, and not being blind to the world.

Other guests include Post Malone, Ty Dolla $ign, Dwele, Anderson. Paak, Earlly Mac, Wale, Young Thug, Hit-Boy, Travis Scott, KeY Wane, Diddy, Lil Wayne, and Dom Kennedy. 

There are two more spoken-word pieces from none other than Erykah Badu and Dave Chappelle. On “Story by Erykah Badu”, we hear of her love of Detroit, with a thank you to Berry Gordy for Motown, and the things that make Detroit music great and magic. Dave Chappelle gives us one of his great stories about meeting and smoking with Danny Brown and a show in Detroit where he bombed on "Story by Dave Chappelle". He remarks that Detroit is an adventure and it's alive, which we all know to be true; and the pep talk he received from Big Sean's dad after a less than great show.

This album also sees the return of Big Sean and Jhené Aiko as the duo, Twenty88 on “Time In”. It’s great to see them collaborate again in this way, since the release of the duo’s debut album in 2016. The song begins with an intro from the legendary Keith Sweat and features production from Mustard, KeY Wane, and Rogét Chahayed; discussing one of the most important parts of a relationship, time.

Big Sean teams up with Jhené Aiko again, along with Ty Dolla $ign on "Body Language". The song is a reworking of the Detroit CLASSIC "Soulful Moaning" by Shawn Harris. It is sure to inspire a new hustle or two, and as an update it really works, while keeping the essence of the original.

Another standout is “Friday Night Cypher” featuring a full roster of Detroit hitmakers in Sada Baby, Cash Kidd, Kash Doll, Boldy James, Eminem, Royce Da 5’ 9”, Payroll, 42 Dugg, Drego, and Tee Grizzley. The lyricism displayed in the 9 minutes and 28 seconds further solidifies Detroit’s in rap. And, with a sample from the Clipse clasic “Grindin’” it goes to the next level.

Detroit 2 definitley a love letter to detroit and with samples that speak to the city including “Gojira Tai Mosura” performed by Akira Ifukube from Godzilla vs. Mothra, the album is a tapestry. It is uplifting. It is inspiring. It is peace, and it is quintessentially Detroit.