Curren$y Coming to Cain’s
By Ashley Jones
COVID-19 killed the possibility of Curren$y coming to 2019’s World Culture Music (WCM) Festival. WCM paid the deposit for him to headline but the pandemic forced the world back into their houses. “This has been in the works for almost two years now,” WCM Artist Keezy said. Now, the show has been rescheduled. Keezy and other local Tulsa artists will hit the Cain’s Ballroom stage with the king of the underground music, car club, and cannabis scene on August 20th. Doors open at 8 p.m. When the WCM Festival returned from quarantine this past June, it shared its performance days with the centennial of the Tulsa Race Massacre and Pride month celebrations.
Therefore, Curren$y agreed to come and perform at a separate concert using the deposit that WCM had already given him. “I just feel like we were bringing in like a long-lost relative to come perform, I feel like we related to him,” Keezy said. Curren$y was once signed to Cash Money and was a part of Young Money with Lil’ Wayne. After he left the mainstream labels, he became an independent artist where he grew a larger fan base. WCM artists are heavily inspired by Curren$y and the way Wiz Khalifa changed underground hip hop and how the use of cannabis in music was created via usage and lyrical context. In 2009, Curren$y and Wiz Khalifa dropped a lot of music and took over the underground rap game. Mac Miller and Big K.R.I.T. also became popular during that time. In 2011, Curren$y founded the label Jet Life Recordings. “It was a very pivotal moment as far as underground hip hop in cannabis use, and you know I've always been into cannabis, but I never would have imagined I'd be able to meet Curren$y or open up for him because he was just so cool,” Keezy said. Keezy now owns his own medical dispensary called Sky High on 1227 S Harvard Ave. “I'm glad we can get Curren$y to come to the home of Black Wall Street,” Keezy said. Being from New Orleans, Curren$ly understands the culture of a white society destroying black neighborhoods through economic development and urban renewal. Many WCM artists on the setlist share indirect ties with Curren$y: Bezel, who is hosting, is from New Orleans. St. Domonick who is performing went down there with the concert host Bezel 365, and they actually went to Curren$y’s Car shop, New Orleans Street Customs Motors, to give everybody some food and refreshments Another WCM artist sold a car to one of Curren$y’s best friends, Regal. What to Expect People can expect a lot of energy. Anybody that knows Curren$y knows he's a big cannabis user. So the air may be a little smoky with tree. “Everybody that’s performing can relate because they have the vibes with the beats that they use,” Keezy said. “From the lyrics that everybody recites, they’re gonna have a good time. Even though it's a local lineup, it’s the perfect lineup to open up for Curren$y.” The concert planners understand the pandemic is still in effect. “We want everybody to come out, be safe,” Keezy said.
“Shout out to the whole city of Tulsa, and everybody who is out here using medical cannabis or into cars or even underground music. It’s up to us to keep it going,” Keezy added. Have fun and be safe ya crazy kids. “Everybody, come out safe. Enjoy Curren$y on Main Street, live with St. Dominick, Clutch Barz,1st Verse, Dial Tone and myself Keezy.”
The Cain’s Ballroom doors to the concert will open at 8 p.m and Bezel 365 will host with Doc Free on the sounds. You can still get your tickets by clicking this link.