Kirk Paige (pictured above)
Restaurant server, Bedford-Stuyvesant
Did you go to the show with anyone?
No. I was trying to find a group of cats to go with. I wanted to go mobb deep. I wanted to have my crew, have somebody wear the Houdini outfit, bring it back. But my cats didn’t want to participate. Everybody didn’t want to take off work, or they had something prior to do. So I went solo.
Any standout performances?
Queen Latifah stole the show. When she did “I Wanna Be Down,” I lost my mind. I mean, I love LL, that’s my man, but Latifah doing that set really blew my top off.
What was the crowd like?
I’ve never seen so many white people sing every record word for word. I myself was stumped with some of the words.
Akkitta Wellington
Mental-health therapy aide, Far Rockaway
Dina Gardner
Executive administrator, East Elmhurst
Geechie Dan
Radio host, Parkchester
Have you always worked in music?
No. I used to work in telecom. For years, I wasn’t allowed to live my dream because my mother was a Jehovah’s Witness. She made sure I didn’t succeed in what I loved. I had a home, the Benz, the Lexus, the $100,000 job. And I wasn’t happy. Hip-hop was what I wanted to do. Now, I’m finally successful in what I love.
Larry Scott Blackmon
Vice-president of public affairs, Harlem
Afrika Dixon
Retired, Castle Hill
Richelle Turner
Waste management, Camden, New Jersey
Mechi Holt
Celebrity stylist, Creedmoor, North Carolina
The audience is dressed on theme.
Yes, they are. You can pinpoint what someone’s favorite hip-hop era is based on what they’re wearing. If she has on bamboo earrings, that’s ’85, ’86. I went with the rattail, which is ’82, ’83, like when Beat Street came out. Everybody was like, “Oh my God, I used to have that same haircut.” We all had that same haircut.
Nanonte Dailey
Sign-language art teacher, Far Rockaway
N’Keyah Baldwin
Registered nurse, New Britain, Connecticut
Kelsey Aimeè Contreras
Human-resources manager, Washington Heights
Mason Nelson
Third-grader, Co-op City
Martina McClain
CNA and phlebotomist, Atlanta, Georgia
What else did you do this weekend?
We tried to do — what is it? Jay-Z’s 40/40 Club, but I don’t think it exists anymore. When we got there, they were remodeling. So we just hung out and people-watched and rode the train. Yes, we took public transportation, took the bus to the train. I guess my experience is different from others’ because it was awesome and people were helpful and nice.
Omoladé Otulaja
Assistant principal, Elizabeth, New Jersey
How’s the ice pop?
A lovely young gentleman got me this ice pop. I came by myself today. I’m the kind of person where I’mma get up and go when it comes to travel or things I like to do. I know even if I go by myself, I’m guaranteed to have a great time because I bring a good time. So this guy got me the ice pop, I danced with some folks, I got a few numbers.
Charlene Smith
Accountant, Detroit, Michigan
Cecilia McDaniel
Hospital registrar, Parkchester
Christina Mitchell
Retired, Jamaica
Natalie Reubens Cleveland
Partnerships manager at a nonprofit, Sunset Park
Rodney “Sky” Walker
Restaurant CEO, Decatur, Illinois
You came in from Illinois?
Yes. And every ten steps I took, New Yorkers were coming up to me saying, “Man, where did you get that outfit? That outfit is the best in the city.” And that made me feel real good because them Harlem cats, they can really dress.
Akkitta Wellington
Mental-health therapy aide, Far Rockaway
Dina Gardner
Executive administrator, East Elmhurst
Geechie Dan
Radio host, Parkchester
Have you always worked in music?
No. I used to work in telecom. For years, I wasn’t allowed to live my dream because my mother was a Jehovah’s Witness. She made sure I didn’t succeed in what I loved. I had a home, the Benz, the Lexus, the $100,000 job. And I wasn’t happy. Hip-hop was what I wanted to do. Now, I’m finally successful in what I love.
Larry Scott Blackmon
Vice-president of public affairs, Harlem
Afrika Dixon
Retired, Castle Hill
Richelle Turner
Waste management, Camden, New Jersey
Mechi Holt
Celebrity stylist, Creedmoor, North Carolina
The audience is dressed on theme.
Yes, they are. You can pinpoint what someone’s favorite hip-hop era is based on what they’re wearing. If she has on bamboo earrings, that’s ’85, ’86. I went with the rattail, which is ’82, ’83, like when Beat Street came out. Everybody was like, “Oh my God, I used to have that same haircut.” We all had that same haircut.
Nanonte Dailey
Sign-language art teacher, Far Rockaway
N’Keyah Baldwin
Registered nurse, New Britain, Connecticut
Kelsey Aimeè Contreras
Human-resources manager, Washington Heights
Mason Nelson
Third-grader, Co-op City
Martina McClain
CNA and phlebotomist, Atlanta, Georgia
What else did you do this weekend?
We tried to do — what is it? Jay-Z’s 40/40 Club, but I don’t think it exists anymore. When we got there, they were remodeling. So we just hung out and people-watched and rode the train. Yes, we took public transportation, took the bus to the train. I guess my experience is different from others’ because it was awesome and people were helpful and nice.
Omoladé Otulaja
Assistant principal, Elizabeth, New Jersey
How’s the ice pop?
A lovely young gentleman got me this ice pop. I came by myself today. I’m the kind of person where I’mma get up and go when it comes to travel or things I like to do. I know even if I go by myself, I’m guaranteed to have a great time because I bring a good time. So this guy got me the ice pop, I danced with some folks, I got a few numbers.
Charlene Smith
Accountant, Detroit, Michigan
Cecilia McDaniel
Hospital registrar, Parkchester
Christina Mitchell
Retired, Jamaica
Natalie Reubens Cleveland
Partnerships manager at a nonprofit, Sunset Park
Rodney “Sky” Walker
Restaurant CEO, Decatur, Illinois
You came in from Illinois?
Yes. And every ten steps I took, New Yorkers were coming up to me saying, “Man, where did you get that outfit? That outfit is the best in the city.” And that made me feel real good because them Harlem cats, they can really dress.
More From This Series
- The Look Book Goes to the New York Scottish Ball
- The Look Book Goes to the Grindr Pleasure Ball
- The Look Book Goes to a College Fair