“No driving. No sleeping. Live it up like it's the weekend”

November 7, 2011- Wiz Khalifa at the 02 Academy Brixton.

We definitely lived it up like it was the weekend last Monday night at the 02 Academy Brixton. Wiz Khalifa, an American rapper, famous in the UK for the notorious “Black and Yellow” song, rocked the stage that night, and has us dancing all night long. The 02 Academy Brixton was a much larger venue than I had expected in London, and us Americans felt right at home. I completely forgot I was in another country, hearing our favorite music and dancing with others who loved it, too. It was nice to see the modern London culture that appreciates the same sort of rap music we love so much in California. We were standing in the crowded stalls, stage level, and although we were still a good distance away, good company and good music always make for a good night. We got there just in time for Wiz Khalifa. Wiz Khalifa’s performance was great and the crowd was hyped all night.  He was extremely energetic, and probably psyched about the fact of his packed concert all the way in London.  I was surprised at the amount of Londoners he was able to attract to this event. I had no idea he was that famous and well known. Before the show, and before we had seen the venue, we were not sure what to expect, thinking this would probably be a smaller concert for those select few who sought him out.

            The diversity and range of the audience, in ages and ethnicities was a humbling experience, realizing the world is actually quite small, and I probably have a lot more in common with people from across the world than I had originally thought. We even heard some French tourists at the bar. Apparently Wiz’s music is the kind with good enough beats that you don’t care about the words. Then again, most people understand a small amount of English, as well.

            Wiz Khalifa was some much needed reminder of home, as well. It was at that point where I think we were all starting to feel pretty homesick and out of our element for a while, and hearing familiar music was just the perfect thing to bring me back to comfort. It was the same feeling when you are out at a club and you hear “California Girls” come on, but it got to last all night. This was definitely one of my favorite experiences in London, so far.

YOUTUBE: Wiz Khalifa's "Black and Yellow" @ 02

by Samantha Pappas