Lawnparties is an excuse for Princetonians to break out their preppiest possessions and drink champagne to live music on the lawns of mansions, fulfilling every stereotype the University has to offer.
Ladies this year rivaled the classiest of Kentucky Derby attendees with bright dresses and oversized hats, and the men, outside the realms of TI’s “sun’s out guns out” attitude, sported a palette of pastel button-downs. Below are a few of Sunday’s best-dressed:
As crunch time kicks in, a few newcomers appear on the scene.
A few key screenshots:
And, more happily:
Edit: USG has confirmed that Gambino is in fact, a mastermind. (But do I hear a hint of uncertainty about the finalized details over bringing him here? “Anything can happen in show business?”)
Via The ‘Prince’: it seems Childish Gambino will be headlining Lawnparties this spring! I have to say, their announcement comes off as a bit shady, as it cites an unidentified source and comes without any parallel notification from the USG (beat them to the punch, perhaps?). But I suppose I’ll buy it for now.
O, Lawnparties. For the Street-going masses, it’s been something of a marathon weekend, but provided you get to Sunday in one piece (and with liver intact), you’ll enjoy some solid tunes on Prospect Avenue. You’ve got your usual slew of heinous cover bands, but there are also few gems. Here are the acts to keep an eye on.
Here is the first Google result for "Lawnparties"
Wiz Khalifa (via hypetrak.com)
We know you’re more preoccupied right now with either (1) resting up before the sheer length and intensity of this House- and Lawnparties-filled weekend or (2) going bonkers about whether or not someone is wearing the same dress as you (!!!).
While you’re gearing up, though, here at The Ink we figured we’d catch you up to speed with some of the musical acts for this weekend. First up, we decided to spotlight Lawnparties’ headliners, because Yaro & Co. absolutely killed it this year and brought a pair of rap’s up-and-coming stars for the bright, sunny, and much-venerated prep-fest of day-drinking and carousing. (And seriously, what is up with Princeton attracting such fresh rap talent? El-P, Jedi Mind Tricks, Ghostface Killah kind-of, Das Racist, and now Wiz Khalifa and Big K.R.I.T.? Are we the hippest Ivy?)
First, I have to admit I was really surprised but even more excited to hear opener and Mississippi native Big K.R.I.T. would be joining Wiz on stage this Sunday. His career’s been on the up-and-up since releasing his debut mixtape K.R.I.T. Wuz Here this time last year, and the press has been buzzing with his name. You can download his newest (and seriously great) mixtape Return of 4eva free/legally here.
And the music? If you’re at all a fan of Southern rap kings UGK, Atlanta duo Outkast, or even up-and-coming Curren$y, you’ll find something to love in K.R.I.T.’s deep South, country-fried sound. Check out “Country Shit,” a straight banger from K.R.I.T.’s first mixtape that hit so hard Southern veterans Ludacris and Bun B decided to hop on the beat for a remix.
Intrigued? Check out “Sookie Now” — if this doesn’t have you bobbing your head and smiling, reconsider your Lawnparties schedule.
If you’re feeling this, check out “Glass House” for a smoother cut featuring Curren$y and Khalifa, and “Return of 4eva” for a heavier selection that’ll keep up the Lawnparties pace.
Moving on to the headliner himself, though, Wiz Khalifa‘s been something of a one-huge-hit wonder with his smash “Black and Yellow,” but trust me, there’s way more to be excited about for this Sunday. A look at some of his best cuts after the jump.
photo via wizkhalifa.com
If Southern rap’s your thing, then Houseparties 2011 probably is too. Def Jam’s website for Big K.R.I.T. gives us high hopes — K.R.I.T. and Wiz Khalifa have a tour date on campus the Sunday of that glorious weekend. These two have collaborated several times before, including on “Glass House,” the hit song off the much-loved mixtape by Wiz Khalifa, Kush and Orange Juice.
Perhaps they have a penchant for all things orange, or maybe they just knew they had to come after seeing the “Black and Yellow”-inspired “Black and Orange.” Whatever the cause of the duo’s visit, Khalifa’s a timely act: his debut album for Atlantic Records, Rolling Papers, came out today. Despite being a bit limited in his range of subject matter for album titles, Khalifa’s still one of the bigger names we’ve seen in a while.
Screen shot via islanddefjam.com
That’s OK. Since the whole point is really to see and be seen (Though I think we can agree that this year was unusually successful on the music side of things), we’ve got photos of some of the best-dressed (or just the preppiest) revelers. Click for larger images.
Another Lawnparties, another round of pastels, champagne, and cringe-worthy cover bands. To be fair, this fall’s cover band count is comfortably low (I spot only two), and in any case, no amount of tight pants and frizzed out wigs could rain on my parade once I heard that this guy was coming to town. And with that, I give the first inaugural Ink Stamp of Approval to…
Rjd2 will be performing at Terrace Club on Sunday. Née Ramble John Krohn — sometimes I wonder why a dude named “Ramble” ever needed a stage name — he is a master beatsmith who cobbles together some delicious instrumental hip-hop from the unlikeliest of samples. He’s nibbled on everything from Scooby-Doo theme songs to Elliott Smith to Steppenwolf and he’s weaved them into his own tunes. Oh, what’s that? You like Mad Men? You like that infectious Mad Men intro? That was his doing. Come out to Terrace at 2:00 and groove to the best Lawnparties act in recent memory.
Lawnparties headliners tend to come in two flavors. First, you’ve got your Popular Mid-Level Acts: your Lupes, your Roots, your pre-Umbrella Rihannas. And then you’ve got your Random Throwbacks, the Pat Benatars and the Everclears of the music world. (For while Everclear the alcohol is notoriously flavorless, Everclear the band tastes strongly and somewhat unpleasantly of 1997).
This year’s performer falls firmly into the former group, and has to be considered something of a coup for the USG. Just two days ago B.o.B was performing at the MTV VMAs in front of some 11.4 million viewers. Next Sunday, he’ll be rockin’ the main stage at the Quadrangle Club. Although for B.o.B himself, I suppose, such a progression would seem less “coup” than “comedown”:
But those thirsty for a strong swig of nostalgia shouldn’t fret. It’s no Everclear, but I guarantee this news will make you nice and woozy nonetheless: just one day before Lawnparties, Campus Club will play host to a very special throwback guest who is every bit as random as B.o.B is (Mid-Level) popular — Former Child Actor Frankie Muniz, star of beloved early Aughts sitcom Malcolm in the Middle! He played Malcolm!
“Huuuuh?” you say? I reply: “Read on after the jump!”
http://www.flickr.com/photos/danzen/4137160631/
While enjoying Lawnparties tomorrow you might text a friend at another school about the good time you’re having. Chances are you’ll also be texting Princeton friends listening to other bands. You’ll pull out your phone without a second thought.
We all know we text but have you ever thought about the numbers?
A recent Pew poll found:
I crack up at the outrageous looks that line the Street on Lawnparties. What we all wear on this day of debauchery is a unique way to display school spirit and overall solidarity, without donning the black and orange.
And yet, if I may, I’d like to throw the gents of Princeton some sartorial tips. Looking outrageous and looking cool need not be diametrically opposed. Contrary to popular belief, you can throw on a ridiculous seersucker jacket with a plaid shirt beneath, and still look pretty awesome. So, pulling from a weekly special that we do over at Prepidemic, called “Piece by Piece,” here’s an outfit I’ve arranged that I’m digging for this Sunday.
Brooks Brothers Slim Fit patchwork oxford
The wait is over: it’s been announced that hip-hop group The Roots is playing at Quad for this year’s Spring Lawnparties next Sunday.
In an email to the USG listserv, USG Social Chair John Wetenhall announced the Roots would follow Shape Machine at 3:30 in the annual event.
The concert’s sponsored by USG, the Alcohol Initiative, and Quad. Free admission (plus a guest) with PUID.
Get pumped – this should be a good show.
