ATL UNTRAPPED: New hip-hop supergroup
And women with super powers
When looking back at some of the greatest West Coast Hip-Hop acts to ever grace a microphone, Snoop Dogg, Too Short, Ice Cube, and E-40 almost always come to mind, and that’s why they named their new supergroup Mount Westmore. Since their formation, the four-piece outfit has released hard-hitting singles such as “Big Subwoofer” and “Bad MF’s,” and while local rap fanatics patiently await their epic forthcoming album, they can get ready to see all four Hip-Hop legends live in concert in the meantime. Although their collective output as Mount Westmore may still be considerably low, Snoop Dogg, Too Short, Ice Cube, and E-40 all have hours of classic material to run through as well, so expect a great show that will undoubtedly increase your appreciation for each Mount Westmore artist’s longevity.
Snoop Dogg, Too Short, Ice Cube, E-40 — $60-$250. 7:00 p.m. Fri., May. 6. State Farm Arena, 1 State Farm Dr, Atlanta, GA 30303. www.statefarmarena.com. @statefarmarena
Sat., May. 7
Strength of a Woman Festival & Summit: Mary J. Blige, Chaka Khan, City Girls, Omeretta The Great and more, State Farm Arena — Although her Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show performance was everything that R&B fans could have ever imagined, Mary J. Blige and Pepsi’s relationship is set set continue this month in Atlanta with the iconic singer’s inaugural Strength of a Woman Festival & Summit. The three-day event will consist of a comedy night, a gospel brunch, workshops, panels, live shows, and more. Given its newfound soldout status, it’s safe to say that the State Farm Arena show on Saturday night is the main attraction. In addition to a headlining performance from Mary. J. Blige, there will be live sets from Chaka Khan, Xscape, City Girls, Baby Tate, Omerettà The Great, and more incredible female artists. With a lineup like that, you can’t help but justify some slightly inflated ticket resale prices.
$160-$399+. 7:30 p.m. State Farm Arena, 1 State Farm Dr, Atlanta, GA 30303. www.statefarmarena.com. @statefarmarena
Freddie Gibbs, Heaven at Masquerade — Freddie Gibbs may not have dropped a full-length project since his 2020 Grammy-nominated album AlfredoI, but the Gary, Indiana, native’s current Space Rabbit Tour has been selling out venues like he just dropped the hottest record of the year. In the week leading up to Freddie Gibbs’ arrival in Atlanta, the Masquerade has already issued a low ticket warning, so if you want to see New York rapper MIKE, 17-year-old Maryland-based rapper redveil, and Freddie Gibbs when they take over Heaven this month, make sure you secure your tickets as soon as possible.
$27. 7:00 p.m. Masquerade, 50 Lower Alabama Street #110, Atlanta, GA 30303. masqueradeatlanta.com The Masquerade
Sat., May. 14
Injury Reserve, Armand Hammer, AKAI SOLO, The Loft — A year after losing the irreplaceable Jordan “Stepa J.” Groggs in 2020, Injury Reserve delivered their sophomore album, By The Time I Get To Phoenix.The trio-turned duo already toured the experimental, imaginative, and heart-wrenching album last fall, but this spring, they’ve decided to hit the road once more alongside Armand Hammer and AKAI SOLO, giving fans who missed out on the BY THE TIME I GET TOuring experience another chance to see Ritchie with a T and Parker Corey live. The entire 11-date joint tour will take place over the course of May, with the Atlanta stop just four dates in. If Injury Reserve’s fast-approaching tour is anything like their trek last fall, prepare yourself for an alternative Hip-Hop concert that’s unlike anything that you’ve ever experienced.
$22. 7:00 p.m. Center Stage, 1374 W Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30309. www.centerstage-atlanta.com. @centerstageatl
Tue., May. 17
Syd, Destin Conrad, Heaven at Masquerade — Fresh off the release of her long-awaited sophomore album Broken Hearts Club, Syd is hitting the road in support of the new record. The former Odd Future member and current vocalist for The Internet has left her mark on multiple — and sonically disparate — musical collectives, but when she kicks off the Broken Hearts Club Tour on May 1, all attention will be on Syd’s new album and her second solo headlining tour. The 18-date tour will also feature support from rising Tampa, Florida-born artist Destin Conrad, who is best known for his smooth 2021 EP COLORWAY.
$32.50. 7:00 p.m. Masquerade, 50 Lower Alabama Street #110, Atlanta, GA 30303. masqueradeatlanta.com The Masquerade
Wed., May. 18
Koffee, Buju, Tabernacle — After becoming one of the most popular rising Reggae artists in the world with her 2019 breakout hit “Toast” and winning the 2020 GRAMMY® for Best Reggae Album for her Rupture EP, Koffee laid low for most of 2021. When she finally returned to the spotlight earlier this spring, the Spanish Town, Jamaica native came correct. Koffee delivered her official debut studio album, titled Gifted, on March 25, and in support of the critically acclaimed album, the Rihanna-cosigned artist has been touring the record since April. Before she wraps up her North American tour in California later this month, Koffee will be bringing Gifted to the Tabernacle, so don’t miss out on a rare opportunity to see the international singer-songwriter in her element.
$35-$65+. 8:00 p.m. Tabernacle, 152 Luckie St NW, Atlanta, GA 30303. www.tabernacleatl.com/. @tabernacleatl
Sat., May. 21
T-Pain, Erica Banks, Young Cash, The Eastern — It’s always a party whenever T-Pain goes on tour, and starting this month, the talented artist known for classic late 2000s R&B albums like Epiphany and Thr33 Ringz will be hitting the road once again for The Road To Wiscansin Tour. Named as an homage to his quirky “Wiscansin” line from his 2008 Lil Wayne collaboration “Can’t Believe It,” T-Pain’s forthcoming tour will feature 20 dates, starting in San Francisco, California, on May 10 and cleverly wrapping up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on June 11. While Australian rapper Mason Dane was originally tapped for an opening slot on the tour, VISA issues have prevented him from joining the tour, but viral TikTok star Erica Banks and Nappy Boy artist Young Cash will still serve as support.
$12-$15. 6:00 p.m. The Eastern, 777 Memorial Dr SE Building C, Atlanta, GA 30316. www.easternatl.com. @easternatl