Excited will be the word to describe how I felt when we got the invite to cover the Boston Talent Showcase. I grabbed two of my friends to enjoy in what I felt was going to be a wonderful showing (…and it was). The event took place at the Slade’s Bar & Grill. Read what they thought of the show below:

OlaNIKE Ajayi
“Boston Talent Showcase” at Slade’s Bar and Grill on Tremont Street in Roxbury, Boston was the spot to be Thursday night (Nov. 19). The event was hosted by Boston’s own Playmakers/Lady Playmakers Entertainment in support of the local Semi-Pro football team, the Boston Ravens.  Upon arriving at the venue, I was greeted by the Host Kieve of Playmakers Entertainment, who made himself available to great individuals as they arrived at the lounge. This asserted precedence for a good vibe. On the stage hung a sign that says “Black Comedy Explosion” by Jonathan Gates……HuH???!!!(I thought it was a Talent Showcase). Far from what the sign indicates, it’s actually a Talent show that included performances by singers, poets, spoken words artists and rappers. The show lent itself as a channel fort eh audience to learn about the going on in the neighborhood such as the Boston Ravens, the Semi-Pro League football team. The admittance fee was $7, a very reasonable price for what is to come.
    Many of the performances were very memorable. A male singer, Aaron Ash brought it back in time with his performance of “At Last” by Etta James. His sultry voice was a disclaimer for the type of crowd that will stroll in as the night carried on. The atmosphere drew in both young professionals and older crowds. Aaron later sang “listen” by Beyonce with the same flair as a woman would. He did the song justice by dedicating himself to the authenticity of the song itself by committing to the sound of a woman.
    Poetic talents such as Mz. Lyrically Poetic, who came with the realness of the anguish she faced in her past without a father and sexual abuse to now being a young educated woman, spoke volumes to those who have had similar struggles. Lady Rydah came with a unique combination of poetic lyrics and tribal music titled “C.R.A.K. Poetry”.  The crowd favorite for the night was Ms. Rae, who spoke of infidelity, extra marital affairs, being a “mistress” and the typical “N****z ain’t shit” anthem in a not so typical way. “It’s not about the title he gives you but the role you play”- a line that seemed to resonate in the minds of most women in attendance.
   The genre of Music performed ranged from Rap to Neo soul to Gospel. A Boston artist, International Show with vocalist April Stanford, performed a remix to “Empire state of New York” by Jay-Z which was rightfully renamed “Prudential State of Mind”(After one of the most notable buildings in the city). He had the crowd rocking with him, and April was our favorite vocalist for the night. The Gospel performance by an attendee did not receive the attention it deserved. The uproar in the back of the lounge by rowdy, drunk, spectators distracted the audience, therefore a lot of time was spent by the host addressing the disrespect and calming them down. Levi Schmidt, a male musician, singer and guitarist played, he was a bridge between Common and D’angelo. The combination of Conscious Rap and Neo soul was captivating and dare I say unexpected.  The show ended with a performance by a rap group Tru Indeed. Crowd participation was key to their performance and they got it. They worked the crowd and performed to the women in the audience. The inner feminist in you may find the lyrics offensive but you will be “rolling” with the beat.

Nadia Selby
Boston Talent Showcase was the place to be if you were looking for new upcoming talent, or if you were looking for a place to relax eat good food and mingle. The night was filled with poets, singers, rappers and instrumentalist. The talent was never ending.
Boston Talent Showcase, held at Slade’s Bar & Grill, was one of the most cutting edge hang-outs in Boston for a mature crowd. At first glance curb appeal was non-existent; however after just a few minutes inside I was both impressed and happy I ventured into the unknown. The entertainment at Slade’s is endless, from comedy on Wednesday nights to karaoke on Friday’s. Offering a wide variety of music ranging from hip hop and R&B to 80’s, Slade’s is a laid back community bar to chill and vibe. With two bars on opposite sides of the building, you never had to wait long to get a drink. The BEST soul food in Boston, Slade’s offers many delicious options to choose from for a reasonable price.

The crowd was filled with both young and old all there to enjoy the talent Boston had to offer. Seated at a table to the far left of the stage I was able to observe the comings and goings of the very “Fashion Forward” crowd. The night started with Emily Johnson singing old school tunes with instrumental back ground music. Her rendition of Whitney’s music set the tone for entertaining evening. A crowd favorite Ms. Rae performed a jaw dropping poem “Confessions of a Mistress” her delivery was smooth and enticing. Ms. Rae had the audience standing up, screaming and blushing all at the same time to her poem that was all too truthful. The night continued with performances from Lady Rydah, David Wylen, and Ms Lyrically Poetic also doing poetry. Levi Schmidt played his guitar and had the audience swaying to his dark and inviting voice. The night ended with a performance of Boston’s own anthem by a talented vocalist April Stanford and rapper International Show, titled “Prudential State of Mind”. 

After the performances the DJ began spinning tunes that had everyone running to the dance floor. I was so impressed by the Talent this showcase had to offer, I joined the mailing list to receive updates on where these artist will be performing next.

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