September 3rd, 2012
I Survived The Budweiser Made In America Festival On The Parkway And Had Exactly Two 24-Ounce $11 Budweiser Cans, Pt. 4
As it turns out, Jay-Z’s set was pretty much the best of the day. The gentle tones of his Watch The Throne collab with Frank Ocean, aptly titled “Made In America,” ushered the man on stage and before he proceeded to tear up “Public Service Announcement.” Then, in the exciting moment Dems had been waiting for, our President of the United States made a cameo. He spoke to the audience and urged the importance of caring, registering and voting. It was an incredibly non-partisan message. And yet, somehow, many people booed. Really? In Philly at a Jay-Z concert? You’re going to boo the first black President? Really not feeling that.
But then he literally sprinted through hits. “Izzo (H.O.V.A.),” “Jigga My Nigga,” “Big Pimpin’,” Freeway got on the mic, “03 Bonnie and Clyde,” “NY State of Mind,” “Run This Town,” “On To The Next One,” “Dirt Off Your Shoulder,” “I Just Wanna Love Ya” and a bunch more. Swizz Beats showed up, too. Oh, and then for the last half hour, it was a friggen’ G.O.O.D. Music set. Kanye, Big Sean and Pusha T showed up to do “I Don’t Like,” “Can’t Tell Me Nothin’,” “New God Flow,” “Theraflu,” “A$$,” and “Mercy.” Plus, Common showed up to do “The Light.” As I unlocked my bike I could hear “Niggas In Paris.” Fireworks went off as I turned down 23rd Street.
No Beyonce, though. A friend texted to say they could see her in the wings. But no, she did not show up during “Bonnie,” no “Lift Off,” no nothin’. No Baby Blue. Nothin’. What a bummer.
It dawned on my why everyone could’ve been so hammered before Jay went on. They were selling those 24 oz. cans and two of them is basically a 40. So if you slug five or six of them, you’ve consumed a hefty amount of Bud.
I learned a few valuable lessons for Day 2: make solid and very, excruciatingly specific plans for meeting up with someone if you want to find them, bring a discreet flask, and don’t show up at 12:30. If you want to NOT be exhausted by 9pm, you gotta show up around 2 or 3pm. Also, eat and drink EVERYTHING you can get your hands on that’s free. I can’t believe I’m going to do this all over again today/tomorrow.
