J's Sports Cafe, 12617 Laurel Bowie Rd (Route 197), Laurel, MD 20708
I arrived in time to hear the end of Jammin' Jeff & Da Band's second set: Alison-led Floetry's Say Yes. I heard 02 and Black Heart performed with them, sorry I missed that.
Tracy S., LA, 6'9, Ria, Netty, Simone, Nece, Jay Floyd, Tim (LJ), Marvin, Yvette, Felecia, 02, Black Heart, Songbird, Tamika, Janetta, Tiffany F., Rickea, Big Don Pimp, Lisa of the World, "original" Nikki, Shawn, Ray, and Los were there.
The Washington Post photographer that Nephew said would be there was easy to spot. I guess the other white guy he was talking to was the reporter.
Familiar Faces
Sound Check
Donnell acapella Nicole the bartender (J's also has a bartender named Nicole).
RE Angie was there.
Sean wore his tie dye Superman shirt.
First Set
Donnell said, "Don, don't you never wear that Cowboy jersey in my house again."
1) Sean-led Luther Vandross' Promise Me - it cranked, Donnell said, "There's a Washington Post photographer, make sure you don't knock him over.", Halima sat on a speaker behind the drum kit, Donnell said, "My brother Jay, treat him easy, don't make him greasy" / Percussion solo
2) Halima-led Cheri Dennis' I Love You - Donnell posed to the lyrics, Halima sang on the dance floor and held her mic to a fan, it cranked
3) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
4) Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease)
5) Sean-led Ne-Yo's When You're Mad - Sean sang at the edge of the dance floor to Tamika, Donnell went on the dance floor
6) Donnell-led "___ Is yes!" / sample "What?" / "You make me want to see, just how freaky you can be" / "keep it low" - ended by a fight unfortunately, I was a little too close as one of the guys fighting grabbed my arm to help himself up
7) Sean-led Jamie Foxx's DJ Play a Love Song
The photographer was right up front during the set. He took pictures of the band and the crowd - he had a digital camera. I didn't see him in the second set.
A guy told me, "That's an aberration." I said, "I'm not the Post reporter."
Kay, Mia, Blue of Y2K, MeCelle, Tracy, Tori, Dana, Dawn, Archie, and April "JuJu" were there. JuJu introduced me to a friend of hers, Alexis.
A couple of jerks grabbed my notes, I don't know if they thought I was the Post reporter.
Boo, Tyrell, and Mousie were there.
Second Set
1) Rare Essence's Body Snatchers (instrumental tease) - it cranked
2) Donnell-led "On the small of her back, she got a tattoo"
3) (can't read) / Sean-led Busta Rhyme's I Love My Chick featuring Kelis - it cranked, Donnell shouted, "Wait a minute" / Smoke conga solo / Donnell-led Lil Wayne's Earthquake (tease)
4) Alternating Halima-led Christina Milian's Say I featuring Young Jeezy - Donnell said, "Killazoo" repeatedly, Halima held her mic to fans / Aaliyah's I Need You Tonight (tease) / Donnell-led "Brandywine, friends of mine" chant - Donnell said "Langston Lane love" - it cranked / Donnell-led "Reggae" / Sean-led Damien Marley's Beautiful, Packy played the cowbell / "But is it like that, is it really like that" / Shawnna's Getting Some (tease) - Scooby sat in
5) Halima-led Beyonce's Deja Vu - it cranked, the house lights came on, Los danced onstage, Donnell said, "It's your birthday", Donnell said, "Happy birthday Jacques, kept it low..."
Kim (the one I don't know) was there.
6) Donnell acapella Nicole the Bartender
Donnell said, "Jay's still got it. He locked me in the closet for three years..."
Jay replied, "Stop talking about Eric's mother." (repeatedly)
Donnell said of Los, talking on his cell, "Los struck out. He'll say, I was thinking of you all night, but I saw him strike out four times." He continued on and Los laughed.
7) Donnell acapella "The greatest story never told" - Donnell said, "I can sing. I'll fire Sean and Halima, press the button Googie."
The article was published in Friday September 15th's Weekend section. You can read it here.
