Two nights after hosting TIDAL X 1020, Barclays Center played host to Powerhouse NYC, the annual showcase concert put on by NYC radio station Power 105.1. The billing promised Jidenna, Omarion, Jeremih, Meek Mill, Fetty Wap, Big Sean, Future, Kendrick Lamar. But the true measure of such a showcase event is the surprise guests. All those who attended Powerhouse knew this, and they quivered with anticipation as they began to file into the spacious Brooklyn arena. Despite Power 105.1's terrible motto "New York's Hip Hop and R&B," we all knew that this would be a night to remember.
DJ Suss One warmed the crowd up with a medley of old school and new school cuts. The crowd was pretty subdued at this point, aside from some giggin' ushers. Suss put on "Pop That" and urged all the ladies with a job and career who don't need a man to support them to "make it clap." Vendors hawked cold beer and margaritas. The smell of beef nachos wafted through the air, soon to be overpowered by that of weed. At 7 sharp, the lights went dark.
Powerhouse 2015 had begun.