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Last Damn Show 12, presented by Wild 94.1, will return to the St. Pete Times Forum on Saturday, August 28 at 6:00 p.m. Joining the headliner Gucci Mane will be Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj, Mystikal, J. Cole, Miguel and John Blu. Last Damn Show features a collection of today's hottest hip-hop and R&B artists, more of whom will be announced at a later date.
In 2009 alone, Gucci Mane has recorded more than 150 songs for 40 different mixtapes and albums. He has successfully elevated his name from the underground rap scene in the South straight to the top of the pop charts with appearances on four different Top 20 singles, including Mariah Carey's "Obsessed," Mario's "Break Up" featuring Sean Garrett, Trey Songz's "LOL :)" featuring Soulja Boy and his own street single "Wasted" featuring Plies and OJ Da Juiceman, which recently landed at No. 1 on urban mainstream radio.
Rick Ross rose from ruling Miami’s underground rap scene to become the buzz-worthiest hip-hop artist of 2006 with his major label debut album, Port of Miami. Its unstoppable single “Hustlin’” became the first mastertone ever certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales of one million copies before the associated album had even been released. A remix was subsequently issued, featuring Jay-Z and Young Jeezy. Six-foot-two, 300-pound Rick Ross – a “hip-hop heavyweight,” as described by The New York Times – came into his own on his album Trilla with the song “The Boss,” featuring T-Pain. The single rose to #2 on the Billboard Hot Rap chart, #5 R&B, and Top 20 on the Hot 100. Trilla got off to a fast start with a release-week performance on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live.
Nicki Minaj was born in Trinidad and moved to Queens, New York at the age of five. She lived a difficult childhood where music was her outlet. She was discovered on MySpace by Dirty Money CEO Fendi, who signed her to the label in 2004. After appearing on “The Carter Edition” of Young Money’s The Come Up DVD series, Minaj was contacted by Lil Wayne, which led to her being dropped by Dirty Money. The two collaborated on a number of mixtape tracks and in August 2009, Minaj signed to Young Money Entertainment with distribution from Universal Motown. Her debut album is currently due to be released on November 23, 2010. Hits like “Your Love” and features on “My Chick Bad – Ludacris,” “Lil Freak – Usher,” “Bedrock – Young Money” and “Roger That – Young Money,” give her the credibility she deserves. With her cartoonish voice and lyrical skills, Ms. Minaj, is like no other of this time.
New Orleans native Mystikal signed to Jive Records and released Mind of Mystikal in 1995. He signed to Master P's No Limit Records for Unpredictable in 1997, which also sold well and garnered Mystikal critical praise. In 1998, Mystikal made his first major guest appearance on Busta Rhymes' Extinction Level Event on the track “Iz They Wildin Wit Us & Gettin' Rowdy Wit Us?” His real breakthrough was in 1998 with the album Ghetto Fabulous. Hit Records include Shake Ya A**, Danger and I Smell Smoke.
J. Cole is best known for being the first artist to be signed to Jay Z's label Roc Nation. Cole released his debut mixtape, The Come Up, in late 2007 after graduating college. This mixtape included the song “Lights Please,” which caught the ear of Jay-Z. Cole appeared on Jay Z's album The Blueprint 3, on the track “A Star Is Born.” His lyrical mastermind is what makes him such a unique artist in this day.
Besides writing songs on the latest Usher Raymond vs. Raymond album, Miguel spends his time perfecting his work. Known for the single “All I want is You” featuring J. Cole, this singer/songwriter is bringing back the soul, funk and hip hop that the game has been missing. Proving his strength and talent, he claimed a spot on the Jive Records roster. Miguel’s song “Sure Thing” pulled 4.5 million hits on MySpace.
John Bluford, professionally known as “John Blu,” started singing at an early age in church. Along with his vocal talents, musical talents and experience, John Blu is gifted with the ability to write, compose and produce his own music. He has performed in high schools, colleges, clubs, theaters, and outdoor festivals all over the Midwest, and has also performed with some of the top artists in the industry. In 2001, John Blu released his CD Reverse Psychology, which experienced substantial sales in the Chicago area. He has collaborated with many artists throughout Chicago (producing, arranging, writing and singing on multiple songs). He is currently promoting his hip-hop collaboration single “Flyboy”, along with the accompanying video.
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