Last week, I went to The Roots' $10 Jam. It was kind of crazy as to how I got in. I came a hour and a half before the show started. I didn't buy a ticket online so I had to stand on the no ticket line. I didn't mind paying $12, but I was upset at myself for not paying it online when I had the chance. As it got closer to starting, there were a few men trying to sell tickets for almost $40-$60. The thing that amazed me was how they didn't step to me. They were trying to convince the man next to me that he wasn't going to get in. I watched as the line for people with tickets grew more than the line with people who didn't have tickets. Then, this one dude came up to me with his ticket. I thought that he was trying to sell it to me, but he was just giving it away. I took it and wondered as I stood on the people with tickets line if the ticket was fake. It turned it that it wasn't. I could not believe it.
As I entered the Highline Ballroom, I noticed that the place was really small and already full. At that point, I knew that I wasn't going to get in if I didn't have a ticket. I proceeded to the front of the stage and the show started with an opener. The opener was a Rock band. They had some good tunes. After they played a few songs, The Roots took the stage and proceeded to jam. Black Thought came on and the group started to do a few of their songs. Then, Black Thought introduced some guests to the stage. The first was M.O.P.
A few more guests who were new to the crowd and myself came out. Then, Black Thought brought out Craig G of the legendary Juice Crew.
After Craig G's set, Black Thought came back out and declared the jam as Jay Stay Paid night in honor of late producer J Dilla and his new album of the same name. A few more faces people knew came out came out to perform tracks from Jay Stay Paid. Black Thought even got into his own song from the album.
The highlight of the night was when Black Thought brought out Q-Tip. Together, they performed some of Q-Tip's classics.
The Roots' $10 Jam is a show that will keep the crowd on the edge of a cliff with surprises. This week's jam had Mos Def and Skillz. If you are in New York City and into dope music and live bands, attend one of these jams because you never know who you will see just for $10.
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