Valentine’s Day. For some, a Hallmark holiday. For others, a chance to shower your lover with gifts, but for others, it’s time for a little Bump and Grind! R. Kelly style.
This year, in an attempt to do something different for the holiday, my wife and I took to the internet to find out what was happening in the college city known as A2, or Ann Arbor. We struck gold! See, as a youtube addict, I have forced her to watch R. Kelly’s “Trapped in the closet” series.
If you’re unfamiliar with the series, its a Hip Hop Opera, or a Hip Hopera. With at least 33 chapters of hilarity. Covering a wide range of points and people, from the Thug, Country woman, midget, nosey neighbors, gay preachers and deacons, dirty cops, aids and so much more.
We arrived to the Michigan theater, and received our “goody bag” which might I add was a great touch. Toy guns, fake money, candy cigarettes, condoms, and a planned parenthood pamphlet. Took our seats and waited for the show to start. The flier mentioned a “Dance Party” to start the night off. So we began to loosen up, not knowing for sure what was to come.
We were all surprised by the special guest. The Brother in Law to R Kelly’s character, Twan, who’s played by actor Eric Lane. He gave a thank you speech and the music videos started. Starting, of course with Bump and Grind. The crowd was great, filled with mostly college aged white kids, who couldn’t dance. No one cared. We all danced and sang along. It ended with The Remix to Ignition. My personal Favorite song in Kelly’s catalog. Then Trapped in the Closet started. The words on the screen were written in ebonics and sometimes didn’t even match what was being said. Words like “Troof” Axe” “Bafroom” and the inconsistent spelling of Cathy/Kathy, were minor details that these Valentine love birds looked over. It was essentially how I spend any other Friday night on Youtube, only this time it was with 400 people and on a big screen. I couldn’t be happier.
Aside for the slight headache I had when it was over from the two girls screaming the words behind me, I left rejuvenated. I need to go to more Hip Hop Opera, Sing-a-longs like this. R Kelly, wherever you are, that was awesome!
Norm's World 