Unforgettable Performances from Artists Andy Mineo, Propaganda, and SPZRKT
Nov. 13 was a night filled with roller coaster like emotions. The hip-hop concert promoting Andy Mineo’s latest album, Uncomfortable, was held at the Alpha and Omega Church in Miami.
The night started off with DJ Efechto warming up the crowd with remixes to various songs such as DJ Snake and Lil Jon’s hit Turn Down For What, the popular merengue Suavemente, and everyone’s favorite sing-along theme song from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
The crowd ran to the front of the stage ready for a fun-filled night. Following DJ Efechto’s opening was soulful pop and R&B singer SPZRKT (pronounced Spazzy Rocket), entrancing the audience with some of his hits like Can’t Wait.
Later in the night, hip-hop and spoken word poet, Propaganda took the stage. The thought-provoking rapper dropped conscious lyrics from his most popular songs Three Cord Bond, How Did We Get Here, featuring Andy Mineo and Crimson Cord.
Propaganda even took a moment to bring to light the terrible attack on Paris (the attack left more than 129 people dead). The terrorist attack happened an hour prior to his performance.
Before intermission, a video of Andy Mineo appeared on the big screen introducing his wife, Cristina, who took the stage to talk about the nonprofit organization World Vision. She encouraged others to sponsor a child, like Andy had done four years ago. Andy, as usual, shed some humor to the night by telling fans about his experience and the child he sponsored simply because of his cool name, Mofokeng.
It was a hip-hop concert with a purpose. The lights dimmed, the crowd chanted “Andy.”
The fog slowly disappeared as the long awaited star appeared atop two big screens.
“Miami y’all sound so good,” he said as he performed the first song of the night of the same name as his album Uncomfortable.
Uncomfortable is his sophomore album following the success of his first, Heroes For Sale.
Mineo introduced one of his most heartfelt songs by signing words to introduce his single Hear My Heart.
Mineo, who felt guilt for not learning sign language at an early age, wrote Hear My Heart as an apology letter for his older sister Grace, who was born deaf.
“Even though you were born deaf, I pray you forgive me for the years I lived blind,” Mineo rapped.
After the emotional performance, he made a few jokes stating, “It’s all downhill from here.”
The progressive rapper explained how he had too much fun during rehearsals with the two mics that changed the pitch of his voice and the rest of the show would be free-styled.
Fans didn’t seem to mind.
Just like the other performers of the night, Mineo is considered a Christian artist, but during a recent phone interview with the urban, shoe loving, humble artist, he said he doesn’t give himself that title.
“It’s a sticky topic… putting yourself in that box is unnecessary,” Mineo explained.
“It can work for you, or ostracize you from reaching people,” Mineo said, “when you don’t want to be put in a box, you’re ashamed and don’t want to be marginalized.”
But Mineo doesn’t mind what others call him or see him as, he just enjoys being an inspiration to others.
During the tour, Mineo’s bus was parked at the back of the hotel. The manager of the hotel approached him and thanked him. He explained he had an employee who was depressed and suicidal, so he brought Mineo’s music to him. The employee played it on his overnight shifts at the front desk and soon found peace of mind.
For people who are still doing some soul searching, unsure of who they are, Mineo believes the key is finding people to relate to and that you can learn from.
“People aren’t supposed to find themselves by themselves,” Mineo said.
The Uncomfortable tour ended on Sunday Nov. 15 with their last stop in Atlanta. Mineo expects 2016 to be a big year, with his spring tour starting in April.
