Cam'ron w/Flatbush Zombies, Asaad, Reese
The Well
Saturday, July 14

Better than: The Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival.

Mark July 14 on your calendar as another historic date in New York hip-hop's current growth spurt. On this day, people from all corners of the city gathered in a semi-legal warehouse yard in Bushwick to witness what few could believe: King Jaffi Joe/Young Flea/Rico/Killa Cam himself was to take the stage for the first installment of the brilliantly titled "Whippin' Work" concert series, performing alongside buzzing upstarts Flatbush Zombies, Reese and Asaad. Folks arrived as early as 4 p.m. to ensure prime real estate for this rare occurrence, and a heavy cloud of dank hung over the yard despite bouncers searching hats, wallets, and shoes TSA-style at the door.

via Labrinth

Better than: Watching American Idol.

Labrinth has a bit of a foul mouth. It's jarring—his boyish looks and feel-good pop tunes don't betray any sort of edge, but the rising U.K. singer/producer dropped a healthy amount of F-bombs last night at Santos Party House, home of his first show on American shores. "When you're performing live, shit fucks up," he explained midway through his set after struggling with a mini-Korg. "There's been a lot of shit fucking up tonight, but when shit fucks up you've always got your guitar to lean on." Earlier that evening when he first lifted his bright silver six-string during his dubstep-y rendition of "Express Yourself," Labrinth offered another perspective: "Do you mind if I kick it old school, Santos?" he asked—genuinely—before shredding over the classic James Brown tune.