Hot 107.9’s 18th annual Birthday Bash concert may be the biggest hip-hop concert of 2013. While Radio One’s staff prides itself on breaking emerging artist, Birthday Bash’s high-profile lineup and surprise guests couldn’t have been better.
While Future’s Freebandz artist, Slice 9 opened up, representing for the younguns, Cash Out and 107.9’s Beestroh followed up with his popular radio singles. Shawty Lo brought out the rest of D4L; as well as Lil Kim’s artist, Tiffany Foxx, and his pregnant girlfriend, Jai Jai.
Hot 107.9’s own “Rickey Smiley Morning Show” team, Stuey Rock, DJ Scream, and DJ Traci Steele, along with DJ Babey Drew and “Love & Hip Hop Atlanta” cast mates Erica Dixon and Karlie Redd, all took the stage to keep the crowd hyped between some of the most memorable moments of the evening.
It wasn’t long before Philips Arena was packed to the max, and DJ Drama was pulling Atlanta’s favorite rappers out of his hat. Starting off with Rosco Dash, Drama then brought out Trinidad James, Rich Homie Quan, the Migos, T-Wayne, and Maybach Music Group’s Meek Mill. Though all but Meek are very new to the hip-hop radio scene, the crowd showed a lot of love.
French Montana got the crowd on their feet, but it was B.o.B who made a dramatic entrance, bringing out T.I. and Young Dro, which caused pandemonium. At that moment, it was evident that T.I. is the reigning King of Birthday Bash, compared to Young Jeezy, who didn’t show up to perform his major radio hits.
Just when you thought the crowd was at its highest energy level, 2 Chainz hit the stage. Starting off his set with “No Weapon Formed Against Me Shall Prosper,” 2 Chainz eased into his long list of radio singles. 2 Chainz brought out Rocko — who needed no music or prompters for the audience to chant his lyrics — Wale, and the biggest surprise of the night, Drake.
“Ya’ll should be proud of this brother right here,” said Drake to the crowd before ending the night with “No Lie” and “Started From the Bottom,” before 2 Chainz left everyone turned up for the many afterparties that took place across Atlanta.
Also, Grand Hustle’s Jason Geter won the 2013 “CEO of the Year Award,” which was presented by Hurricane Dave.
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