So it's coming: a giant tsunami of NFL athletes, super fans, and über-celebrities that's about to engulf the magic city with over-the-top poolside parties and non-stop open bar access. And as much as Super Bowl XLIV weekend is all about tailgating parties, cheap beer, and Garth Brooks, we're in Miami, baby, and we do it a little bit differently here. With free concerts and invite-only performances from artists such as NeYo, Nas, Usher, Drake, Rihanna, Black Eyed Peas and a sleuth of pop-star icons, Super Bowl week is looking more like the MTV Music Awards. Oh right, remind me the two teams that are playing in the finals again?
Enclosed are some highlights to narrow down your musical tailgating adventures so bring out your coolers, stack up on the beers and let's get it on! Play ball!
Thursday, February 4
NeYo with opening acts Jagged Edge and Verse Simmonds
Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County
Tickets: www.arshtcenter.org
R&B crooner and Hollywood actor, NeYo, will be all over Miami during Super Bowl week however his only true performance will be at the Arsht Center where he and his 30+ piece live musicians and dancers will rock the Knight Concert Hall. Expect a grade-A concert from this Grammy-award winning artist.
Pepsi Super Bowl Fan Jam with Rihanna, Timbaland and Justin Bieber
8th and Ocean, South Beach
Tickets: www.ticketmaster.com
Not like Rihanna didn't perform at last year's Super Bowl pre-game
show, RiRi looks to be unstoppable now as she's headlining Pepsi's Fan
Jam on South Beach with tween heart-throb Justin Bieber. Expect a lot
of screaming teenage girls and some heavy-duty pyrotechnics!
Friday, February 5
Nas and Goodie Mob (Reunion Tour)
Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County
Tickets: www.arshtcenter.org
So the Arsht Center gives you a double-header with back-to-back high
profile events that's keeping downtown real interesting. Nas,
hip-hop's God's son, will be gracing the stage as he spits some of his
classic joints from the infamous Illmatic LP as well as some sneak
peaks at his upcoming album Distant Relatives with Damian Marley. To
keep things even more interesting, ATL's legendary heroes, Goodie Mob,
is reunited for what seems to be a much-anticipated return to Miami.
"We love Miami," informs Big Gipp of Goodie Mob. "We represent the
Dirty South and Miami is definitely the dirty dirty."
Pepsi Musica Super Bowl Fan Jam with Nelly Furtado, Paulina Rubino and Pitbull
8th and Ocean, South Beach
Tickets: www.ticketmaster.com
We're in Miami and it's only fitting that Mr. 305 himself, Pitbull,
makes his signature presence felt from the sandy beaches of South Beach
all the way to the cafecito counters of Calle Ocho. Along for the ride
will be Latin-pop vixen Paulina Rubino and Spanish-sleeper hit
songstress Nelly Furtado, whose latest album Mi Plana has taken her
popstar status international. Que rico, baby.
SOS Saving Ourselves: Help for Haiti hosted by Queen Latifah and Sean Combs
American Airlines Arena
Tickets: www.ticketmaster.com
In light of the recent disaster in our neighboring country of Haiti,
Super Bowl week in Miami is sure to have Haiti on its mind. So what
better way to capitalize on all the action than a benefit concert and
telethon presented by BET that will be televised live at 8PM on BET as
well as its sister stations MTV and VH1. The concert will benefit
several organizations such as Yéle Haiti, CARE and Project Medishare
and will include appearances and performances by pretty much everyone
that's in town. Artists such as Mary J. Blige, Keri Hilson, Akon, Pete
Wentz, Busta Rhymes, Ludacris, Justin Bieber, Robin Thicke, Common, and
many more. And to top it off, the evening is hosted by King Puffy and
Queen Latifah.
Hotel 944 presents Common and Drake
Eden Roc Renaissance Resort
Tickets: www.hotel944.com
As if Common and Drake wasn't just here last month for New Years Eve,
they are back for what looks to be one hip-hop infested extravaganza.
Past meets future with this dual performance as Common is sure to set
the record straight that regardless of all his Hollywood movies, he's
still the best lyricists in the business while Drake is sure to contest
that he will be the best lyricists in the coming months. Do I see a
freestyle battle breaking out during this thing or what?
Saturday, February 6
Hotel 944 presents Wycelf Jean featuring Mario and Kid Sister
Eden Roc Renaissance Resort
Tickets: www.hotel944.com
Haiti's Native Son, Wycelf Jean, has been more than busy these last few
weeks but being that he's the consummate professional, he'll surely be
known to set the stage on fire with his over-the-top performance and
musicianship. Also on board are newcomers Mario and Kid Sister that
will level out the mood.
Black Eyed Peas
American Airlines Arena
Tickets: www.ticketmaster.com
I got a feeling ... that this show is gonna be bananas! As if you needed
an introduction - it's Black Eyed Peas, damnit! Love 'em or hate 'em,
they're still the next best thing to pop music since N'Sync! Expect
some major LED screen light tricks and surprise guest appearances
throughout the night because if anyone can pull some jaw-dropping
stunts, it's Will.I.Am and his posse. Maybe Taylor Swift and Kanye
West will bumrush the stage and call truce?
