I got 99 Problems, but a Headliner for All Points West ain’t one: Jay-Z confirmed for Friday at APW

As you all know Lady Liberty is deeply saddened about the recent news surrounding Adam ‘MCA’ Yauch’s diagnosis of glandular cancer. Yet, I am hopeful that his surgery will go well, and the Beastie Boys member will be back on the road, and maybe even perform at All Points West 2010.

However, the producers for APW have worked hard through the night and have secured a very special replacement for the Friday night headlining slot. The Beasties Boys fellow Brooklynite, Jay-Z is prepared to play his first and only scheduled US festival outing on July 31st.

I have watched Hova grow up from freestylin’ at the Marcy Projects to headlining Madison Square Garden. All I can say is that I feel honored to have the best rapper alive finally play in my Jersey City backyard.

Though this may be a very last minute announcement, Miss Liberty is convinced Jay-Z is a welcomed addition, and he has the power to truly make APW a leader in the US festival circuit.

I can only hope that my girl and Jay’s wife Beyonce will make an appearance at his set, getting all the single ladies riled up.

Though this is surprisingly Jay-Z’s first American festival appearance in his twenty-plus year career, he gained festival experience last year as he headlined multiple European summer festivals, most notably Glastonbury Festival in England. 

We can only hope Jiggaman brings the same energy and attitude as he did at that performance. I suggest you watch the video below of Jay-Z opening his set with Oasis’ “Wonderwall,” a direct response to the insults given by the Manchester group regarding a rapper headlining the traditionally rock oriented festival.

Jay-Z will headline All Points West Friday night July 31 amongst many of today’s most popular indie rockers including Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Vampire Weekend, Fleet Foxes and the National. However, more importantly, he will play amongst many other hip-hop artists including Q-Tip, Pharcyde, and Organized Konfusion. 

I am anticipating some interesting collaborations, or maybe some Queens vs. Brooklyn action between Q-Tip and Jigga.

Check his MySpace page to hear his new single “Death of Auto-tune,” a small preview to his upcoming album the “Blueprint 3.” Tickets are still on sale here, but hurry up since they are sure to go fast after this huge announcement.

Brooklyn Go Hard,

Lady Liberty

Hell yea! The Yeah Yeah Yeahs come home to NYC to play All Points West

Yeah Yeah Yeah's originated as a New York City alternative rock band right across the Hudson River from the All Points West concert site in Liberty State Park.

Some might say the band is evolving, but your rock n roll diva, Miss Liberty, is somewhat concerned that the chic Miss O would leave her urban roots and relocate to Los Angeles, the land of smog, insane traffic, and generally artificial everything. I hope you know what I’m alluding to without getting into specifics, but we’ve all seen Nip/Tuck.

Karen O has the same gritty attitude as Lady Liberty, so it threw me for a loop that she’s now creating music from the land of make-believe. What was she thinking?

I also must confess that it took me quite some time to get into the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. I never gave them a chance, until a friend insisted I give them a serious listen. Needless to say, It's Blitz has been repeating in my crown since its April release, and the triple Y’s are making great alternative music.

It’s Blitz is saturated with dancy synths but the band confirms to me that it, “still sound(s) like Yeah Yeah Yeahs.” Indie rock tastemaker Pitchfork calls their new dancy sound "compelling pop rock" made up of songs "in favor of detours, miniature grooves, and lengthy asides that produce the sensation of a band and a singer impulsively following their own emotional whims."

And you know how I adore anyone that follows their own independent spirit, and moves to their own damn drum beat.

I only have good things to say about Yeah Yeah Yeah’s third album, except maybe for its short duration.

Karen O is most known for her unique but stylish clothes. At this year's Bonnaroo, she was seen wearing tiger print tights and a bizarre kimono-like shirt with strange pink and blue patterns.


Regardless, she is still hot and easily today's Queen of Alternative Rock. I do believe Karen is taking her wardrobe cues from yours truly, but then again, who wouldn’t?

All Points West fans should expect more than just thrilling music from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs set this year. Besides the remarkable reviews across the spectrum of music journalism, Yeah Yeah Yeah’s were honored as musical guests on an April 2009 episode of Saturday Night Live where they played their new single “Zero” as well as “Maps” off their debut Fever to Tell.

Honestly, with all the attention the Yeah Yeah Yeahs has received in the last few months, I cannot wait for their performance on the first day of All Points West on July 31 at Liberty State Park in Jersey City, NJ.

Karen and the gang will be playing the same day as headliners Beastie Boys, as well as other indie starlets like the Vampire Weekend, the National and Fleet Foxes.

Don’t forget Tool and Coldplay headline Saturday and Sunday respectively. For more information go here, or here and follow us on Twitter. Buy your tickets here, and tell EVERYONE you know that this truly is one of those not to be missed concerts.

Karen, I implore you. Come back home. New York City considers you a hometown girl and I promise, I’ll look after you. Leave La-La land while you still can and while you’re still young. We want you back. But even if you stay in Los Angeles, we are thrilled you are playing All Points West.

See you at the show.

Lady Liberty

The Pharcyde come to our side: Playing All Points West!

All Points West couldn’t get more eclectic this year. We’ll see legends of Rap (Beastie Boys) and Hard Rock (Tool), the best up and coming Indie Rock bands, the funniest comedians, and who would have figured old-school Hip-Hoppers like my favorite from the West Coast, The Pharcyde.  My beautiful Liberty State Park will be thumping like a beat-box when The Pharcyde hits the stage.

Back in the 90s when the late Tupac and Notorious B.I.G. controlled the mainstream rap scene, Hip-Hop groups such as Jurassic 5, A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, and The Pharcyde were champions of the underground Hip-Hop world. These groups kept it real with their cool rhyming style and poetic lyrics.

The Pharcyde broke out with their debut album Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde, featuring “Passin’ Me By” and “Otha Fish” in 1992. In 1995, they released Labcabincalifornia that featured their hits “Runnin’” and “Drop” which most people know as their biggest singles.

The group now consists of two original members, Bootie Brown and Imani, from the original foursome. This duo released Humboldt Beginnings in 2004 and now tours under their original name The Pharcyde.

When these rappers come to All Points West on Friday July 31^st , I’ll be sure to turn my crown sideways and drop my torch so I can wave my fist in the air like I just don’t care.

Peace yo.

M.C. Liberty