Photos by Raphael Fernandez
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo made waves for Bun B’s Birthday Bonanza on Friday, March 7. Bun B celebrated with a star-studded cast of R&B and Hip-hop legends including Keith Sweat, Yolanda Adams, Coco Jones, Jagged Edge and Ludacris along with a few other surprise guests.
Before the festivities began, the video screens lit up with a memorial graphic honoring former Texas representatives Sheila Jackson Lee and Sylvester Turner—the latter passing days before the show.
As the video faded, the Rodeo announcer introduced Texas Southern University’s Ocean of Soul and Prairie View A&M’s Marching Storm drum lines. They played side by side for the first time, making history. After, Kroger presented each band with an enormous check for $5,000.
Bun B took to the stage in cover of darkness.
The music rose and the stage lights shone down to reveal his cowboy attire. He wore a Monster Energy hat and a frilled jacket.
Bun B belted out “Get Throwed” before introducing Jagged Edge onto the stage with “Let’s Get Married.” The group of four continued with “Promise” and “Where the Party At” before handing the mic to Do Or Die for “Po Pimp.”
After, Coco Jones made her way to the center of the revolving stage for her recent track “Taste” and her unforgettable “ICU.”
There were some audio issues with the backup vocals. They were cleared in time for Jones’ final high note.
Bun B came back on stage to check Houston’s temperature. He let them know they were about to hear some million-dollar music as Tommy Richman appeared.
Richman took time with his performance of “Million Dollar Baby” as the lights shone blue and purple.
The lights then dimmed as Yolanda Adams began a tribute ballad of “The Battle Is Not Yours.” Her performance featured a slideshow tribute to Houston icons who passed including Sheila Jackson Lee, DJ Screw, Sylvester Turner and Big Pokey.
After the performance, a few slabs rolled out to the tunes “Diamonds & Wood” and “Murder.” The four cars crawled along the Rodeo dirt featuring Johnny Dang and a Trill Burger-themed ride.
As the slabs exited the stadium, a red sports car rode in. Bun B then announced the arrival of Don Toliver. The Houston artist came on stage with an all-black outfit. He sported a large “H” on the back of his leather jacket with a matching black cowboy hat.
Toliver ran around the stage performing “Bandit,” “No Idea” and “Ice Age.” After the entire stadium joined him for “After Party.”
Bun B asked the audience to turn up for real.
He explained how he truly wanted to have this next artist on tour for a long time, and his schedule just cleared up.
With a roar from the crowd, T.I. rushed on stage to an enormous applause. He immediately jumped into “Rubber Band Man,” “24’s,” “U Don’t Know Me” and “Whatever You Like.”
The Georgia-based rapper took some time to thank Bun B for all his work. Then he continued the show with “Bring Em Out,” “Live Your Life,” “What You Know” and “About the Money.”
With the legendary surprise performance completed, Bun B presented the next artist.
The video screen had some issues with playing the right video. Nevertheless, Keith Sweat circled the stage. His smooth jams filled the stadium with “Make It Last Forever,” “Twisted” and “Nobody.” He then bowed out with the audience singing along to “How Deep Is Your Love.”
The final guest of the show, Ludacris, then made his way to the stage in a sprint. “All I Do Is Win” boomed from the speakers. The lyrical maestro from Illinois rapped out his speedy verse, transitioning into “Stand Up” and his other verse in Usher’s “Yeah!”
Ludacris then announced a song for the ladies with “How Low” and “My Chick Bad.”
The music paused as Ludacris asked if there were any real fans in the room. He challenged them to see if they knew the next track. “What’s Your Fantasy” came on.
The press box shook as both reviewers and fans sang alongside Ludacris.
The set ended with “Move B****” as Ludacris led the whole stadium in singing Happy Birthday to Bun B.
The man of the hour himself then closed out the night with “International Players Anthem.” After, he and his guests all rode off in the back of a Ford truck.
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