My little sister, Aisha, her best friend Gina (alongside their two friends) and I attend many concerts together (we go to at least one a month), but have a yearly tradition of attending KDay’s How the West Was Won show on the lawn. Since this is Rosecrans Avenue, you know I had to give you a recap of the show.
This year was headlined by The Game and ScHoolboy Q, alongside DJ Quik, E-40, Baby Bash, Skeme, Psycho Realm, Tha Eastsidaz, Warren G, Kurupt, Problem among others.
(your girl with the sign)
First off, we got to the venue a little late, so we actually missed out on our favorite Long Beach summertime enthusiasts, The Dove Shack. When we got there, Skeme was performing “B Like” from this year’s Ingleworld 2. Right after, Tha Eastsidaz came on stage and I automatically started crip walking on the dew-covered grass on the lawn. I was actually surprised that nobody where we were knew about “G’d Up” or “I Luv It” when I started singing along.
Psycho Realm came along and suddenly, a rush of nostalgia hit me as I felt like the 16-year-old Fatima who sported a blackbook and a meanstreak around Downey High.
Psycho Realm
After a few performances, came Problem. Problem was GREAT live; I’d seen him once before but this time he performed both his new singles, biggest hits and ones only his real fans knew about. Salute to the Compton don.
Problem
Warren G
Warren G blew us away with his Nate Dogg tribute set and a reminder that Long Beach was definitely in the house (including me).
DJ Quik
David Blake, or DJ Quik is a one man army and to call him talented would offend me. He played a badass live version of “Pitch in OnA Party” showing off his keyboard, guitar and drum skills. The man is a musical genius. He brought out the everlasting bass with Rodney O & Joe Cooley as his guests, a change from the usual Sugafree.
Schoolboy Q
ScHoolboy Q is an amazing artist and he has really loosened up since I saw him for the first time in 2012. The entire crowd woke up when he got on stage.
The Game
The Game performed many songs from his just released The Documentary 2, alongside his biggest hits, opening with “Don’t Trip“. However, he is better in the studio than he is live. The nostalgia factor of walking down Rosecrans bumpin’ “Where I’m From” or “How We Do” from The Documentary couldn’t save him. I’ve seen him previously and thought he would improve…but he’s just not a performer.
Twas a great night and the west coast was in full effect, thus letting us know that the West is still most definitely winning.
–Fatima Baqi
