Red Bull True Notes Jamila Woods Amber Mark Mereba lead image
Photo Credit: Tiph Browne for Okayplayer.com & Red Bull
Photo Credit: Tiph Browne for Okayplayer.com & Red Bull
We teamed up with Red Bull to celebrate 20 years of Okayplayer. There wasn't a better city to do this in than Philly.
It was a beautiful night in Philadelphia.
On Friday, December 6th, Okayplayer teamed up with Red Bull for True Notes, a night highlighting some of the most promising women in R&B.
The concert was held at the Warehouse on Watts in Philly. There were multiple functions for True Notes: the night was honoring 20 years of Okayplayer, which we have been celebrating all year. It was also attended to recreate some of the feelings of Philly's iconic Black Lily Music series which was created in 1999 by Rich Nichols, Mercedes Martinez, and Tracey Moore. The series, a Philly fixture for years, helped launch the careers of Jill Scott, Floetry, Jaguar Scott, Musiq Soulchild, and more.
LISTEN: True Notes: Past, Present, & Future of Women in Neo-Soul [Playlist]
Headlining True Notes was Jamila Woods, who earlier this year released her stellar Legacy! Legacy! album. Backed by her band, she performed standout tracks from her album including "BALDWIN," "BASQUIAT," and "ZORA."
Before Jamila closed the show, fans were able to enjoy an energetic set from New York city-based songstress Amber Mark and Philly native Mereba (who got the loudest reaction of the night.)
Photo Credit: Tiph Browne for Okayplayer.com & Red Bull
Warehouse on Watts is a large two-floor DIY venue located in North Philly. While the show was going down upstairs, fans got to enjoy the downstairs set-up, which included a photo booth and a recreation of what an Okayplyer's bedroom would look like — including turntables, old records, Source Magazines, and more.
In the makeshift bedroom is where Mereba gave out signed copies of a poster — created by Loveis Wise — which contained a poem written by herself.
Photo Credit: Tiph Browne for Okayplayer.com & Red Bull
After the concert, no one went home. Okayplayer, alongside DJ Jasmine Solano and BVDí, brought our LA-based On and On to Philly for the first time. This came just a week after we brought On and On to New York City.
Those in attendance, including all of the performers, came out to dance to some R&B jams.
Coming into the night, the goal was simple: celebrate Okayplayer while maintaining the same ethos that Black Lilly established 20 years ago.
Judging by that benchmark, the night was a success.
