Blavity House Party Kicking Off Black Music Month
On June 14, Blavity House Party made its debut at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium with an immersive music and culture experience. A celebration of Black joy, the kick-off event for Black Music Month balanced big onstage moments with the small joys that turned a group of strangers into a community. Hosted by Zack Fox and Bridget Kelly, the party kicked off in Nashville, bringing great performances, food, vibes and more to Music City.
Zack Fox (Photo credit: Blavity House Party / Acacia Evans)
The first-ever music experience presented by Blavity Media Group, the two-day, multi-stage house party featured a cross-generational array of talented performers who have defined the sound of R&B and hip-hop for the past three decades. Monica stunned with renditions of her biggest hits like "So Gone" and "Love All Over Me" during her headlining performance, while Rick Ross brought his iconic braggadocious raps to one of Nashville's most storied venues. Baltimore's favorite R&B group Dru Hill played a standout performance, bringing the crowd to its feet, singing along with their hits like "Tell Me" and "These Are the Times." Lead singer Sisqó didn't leave the stage without a provocative performance of his iconic, platinum-selling hit "Thong Song."
Monica (Photo credit: Blavity House Party / Acacia Evans)
Throughout the weekend, Big Freedia brought the bounce from New Orleans, Blxst proved to be one of LA's finest and GRAMMY-award winning heartthrob Leon Thomas swooned the crowd with his hypnotic, guitar-driven hits. R&B stalwarts K. Michelle, Ryan Leslie and Lil' Mo serenaded audiences with their pristine vocals and lush melodies. Southern hip-hop legend Lil Scrappy delivered one of the most hype moments of the weekend, as fans vigorously rapped along to his crunk hit singles "No Problem" and "Knuck If You Buck." Rising star Reyna Roberts brought the country flair with her cherry red hair and electrifying performance of hits including "Raised Right," and performances from The Sainted Trap Choir, Domani and DJ Sophia Rocks proved the future is bright.
Leon Thomas (Photo credit: Blavity House Party / Ben Esakof)
Blavity House Party also highlighted Nashville’s vibrant Black community days before Juneteenth with an assortment of over 20 Black-owned vendors, restaurants and activities for fans to engage and enjoy. Fans were eating good with Nashville favorites like Slim & Husky's, Slutty Vegan and Down N The Bayou and buying good at the "Off The Shelves" marketplace, plus having a time during double dutch and line dancing sessions on the patio in their custom Tito's cowboy hats. Those who dared rode the mechanical bull, as Nash Feels brought some of the most memorable dance party moments of the weekend.
From the cowboy chic fits and southern cuisine to the Black-owned marketplace and vast selection of house party music that touched the stage, the inaugural Blavity House Party was one for the books and celebrated the Nashville community.
Photo credit: Blavity House Party / Christopher Nechodom
