SUMMER JAM 2012: MEMORABLE MOMENTS

Thick, heavy clouds hovered over the MetLife Stadium, just as they seemed to do every year. It was at 6pm when the stadium began to flood with fans of the superstar line up that had been put together, for the annual Hot 97 Summer Jam concert. Cocktails, food, music and video clips all worked together, seamlessly keeping the crowd preoccupied while seats filled up and until the shows first performance.

Straight out of Brooklyn, rapper, Maino opened up the show with a short set that included new and old singles, as well as, a special guest performance by M.O.P. Acts that followed were ones by artists, such as Slaughterhouse, YMCMB’s Tyga, and Wacka Flocka Flame.

MMG let its presence be known early in the show, with a solo performance by Wale. It included tracks off of his latest album “Ambition” and it featured an appearance by Miguel for the performance of his, ever so catchy single, “Lotus Flower Bomb”.

J. Cole did nothing but grace the stage. He severed himself from other artist in the roster by accompanying his performance with an actual live band. He performed with high energy and the ladies couldn’t seem to get enough of his special guest “Mr. Serenade” himself, Trey Songs.

Young Jeezy stepped on stage in a black tee and black jeans, typical hustler attire and managed to take the audience on a quick trip to “The Trap” and back again, with hits from his humble beginnings as an artist, including the single “Soul Survivor”. His performance featured guest appearances from T.I., Neyo, and of course, Two Chainz. 

Two Chainz managed to start a quick “Riot” before Big Sean’s charismatic performance. Completed with no shirt and all charm, Big Sean managed to keep the crowd on their feet with the performance of party songs like “Marvin Gaye and Chardonnay”, “Mercy”, which featured a quick verse from Pusha T, and “Ass”. And though there was no Nicki Minaj at the venue to perform, he allowed the audience to do the honors in chanting her verse, during her absence.

Angie Martinez hit the stage to introduce the next performer, after what seem to be a lengthy intermission, and before she was able to get the name completely out of her mouth, Nas’ “Braveheart” track breaks the crowd’s silence, and the stadium erupts. Nas came out equipped with a large bottle of Moet and a microphone. He runs through about two hit singles before this very familiar voice catches the crowd a bit off guard.

Rocking a chic short afro with a pinstriped blazer, palazzo pants, a chunky gold and pastel colored necklace and sky high stiletto heels, Lauryn Hill steps on stage soulfully singing the words to “Ready or Not” followed by an effortless live rendition of her verse on the classic single. She and Nas complete the set by collaborating on “If I Ruled the World”. And though that would have been a great alternative to ending the show, the line up was not quite done yet.

It is no secret that Maybach Music Group has been having incredible year. With that said, they would, of course, be the go to group to end the show with a bang. With the likes of French Montana, Meek Mill, Wale and, of course, the general Rick Ross, MMG got the crowd pumped with some of those street anthems and a couple of those irresistible party tracks. To add fuel to the already burning flame, while performing the remix to “Slight Work” they ignited the crowd with the guest appearance by ex bad boy Mase.

Though artist from the initial roster seemed to have gone missing during the show, Summer Jam 2012 will go down in the record books as being one of the most surprising concerts in its history. Filled with talent and legends that, to this day are highly admired and those that will be in the near future. It was truly a night to remember.