FAT JOE, KEHLANI, ANGIE MARTINEZ, USHER AND MORE ROCK #POWERHOUSENYC

Power 105’s Powerhouse concert brought the top of the charts to the Barclay’s Center. Hip-hop and R&B lovers turned up to the sounds of the latest breakthrough artists and greatest icons. Brooklyn’s own Young M.A.opened up and showed out for women everywhere with street anthems “OOOUUU” and “Summer Story.” But Angie Martinez took the arena’s energy to the next level. It’s not an official NYC bash until “The Voice of New York” arrives. After all, an introduction from her turns rookies into celebrities.

Multiracial songstress Kehlani showed up looking badass as ever in a leather beret and sexy bralette. She adorned the stage with her rock-hard abs, extravagant tattoos and new “Suicide Squad” soundtrack smash “Gangsta,” leaving concert-goers agreeing with P. Diddy, who recently said the star saved R&B. 

Soon, the beat dropped, and rapper Desiigner, amped to be in his hometown, proved himself a slayer of all things chill. The spectators joined in on his spastic dance moves and babbled lyrics before he hurdled off the stage and into the crowd. No one knew his lyrics, but no one seemed to care. He’s just that lit. Tory Lanez followed up with major reggae vibes. His chart-topping “LUV” had women in the audience giving their best twerk team auditions.

The ambiance was sultry for all of ten minutes when the heaviest skinny emcee on the radio Wiz Khalifa came through with “We Them Boys.” The Pittsburgh star was followed by the sound of hip-hop’s birthplace: the Bronx. Boricua legend Fat Joe and the Terror’s Squad’s first lady Remy Ma needed no introduction. The female emcee even covered Big Pun’s complex “Twinz” verse – fluently.

A few hits from the 2000s later, DJ Khaled brought us all the way back to 2016 with “All The Way Up,” and the crowd went wild. They stayed rioting when Young Jeezy performed “Dey Know,” paying homage to the late Shawty Lo.

Then came the performance everyone was waiting for: Usher. He, his colossal sex appeal and live band headlined, and it was everything. The ATL sensation didn’t miss a beat on his feet. But it wasn’t all about him. Usher made room for the new generation of superstardom, teaming up with Young Thug in “No Limit” and offering a guest appearance from Bryson Tiller, which had every millennial woman chanting the lyrics to “Don’t.” 

Power 105 outdid themselves this year, because the Powerhouse concert was easily one of the best music events of 2016.                          

By Bianca Alysse Mercado for Latina.com                              

Image: Getty