Entertainment

The Bad Boy Family Reunion Stops In Oakland

Published

10 years ago

September 30, 2016

Oakland, CA – Who needs an opening act when Puff Daddy is involved? Sean “Puffy” Combs, head honcho of Bay Boy Entertainment took us down memory lane. He brought many of the classic hits from the early 90’s. The Bad Boy Family Reunion tour was just that, a family affair.

A video montage of Puffy’s first interview on his rise to stardom from top A&R rep to a top Executive at Bay Boy Records. The video also featured classic videos over the years along with clips of Notorious B.I.G. Once the lights went out, Puffy rose from underneath the stage donned in all black with five big gold chains.

The famous producer always knew how to put on a show and tonight was no different when Ma$e, Faith, Lil Kim, Total, 112, The Lox, French Montana and a special guest took the stage. The sellout crowd rose to their feet when “Victory” video featuring Busta Rhymes came over the jumbotron.

Puffy followed with hits like “Bad Boy” and “I Get Money”. But when Ma$e came out to the top chart stopping hit “Can’t Nobody Hold Me Down” the crowd went crazy!!! Doing his favorite dance that he coined in many of his videos Ma$e kept the crowd going to his next hit “Been Around The World”.

112 came out after Ma$e and sung three of their top hits, “Peaches N Cream and Dance With Me” to name a few. It was almost like being back in 1996! Total now all grown up brought the fans to their feet. Oh the memories… “Kissing You” and “No One Else” were favorites among the crowd.

The Lox followed with a bevy of hip hop hits like “We Gon Make It”. While Carl Thomas slowed things down with a few of his ballads like “Emotional and ‘Wish”. But the first lady of Bad Boy had the crowd singing her songs before she opened he mouth. Faith Evans first album is still in my rotation.

Talk about crowd participation “You Used To Love Me” and “Soon As I Get Home” was sung acapella by the crowd while Faith sung backup. French Montana turned things up with an old classic “Ain’t Worried Bout Nothin” and his current hit “All The Way Up.” Miguel was the special guest and he didn’t disappoint singing his hit”Adore”.

Puffy grew his empire with talented artists all from New York. He gained his respect in the music industry as one of the best A&R reps learning the business behind Hip Hop guru Russell Simmons. Two decades of music and management, Puffy’s 24 years of hard work paid off. Which is why he wants to thank the fans with a 24-city tour.

Now he leaves his mark with the younger generation, which includes his two sons. Christian Combs debuted his new song while his brother Justin Combs joined him with various dance moves. Puffy watched with a smile before all of the artists joined him on stage to pay tribute to the Notorious B.I.G. An interview clip on how the East coast vs West coast rivalry started between him and the late Tupac Shakur appeared on the jumbotron.

Then came the finale, a series of songs to follow Biggie’s tribute. “Player’s Anthem” “All About The Benjamins” and “Mo Money Mo Problems”. Together the artists locked arms and sung ‘I’ll Be Missing You” and the crowd joined in. The Bad Boy Reunion Tour is was very entertaining, non-stop music, dancing and amazing vocals.

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Business

21st Annual Taste of Soul: California’s Largest Black Street Festival Comes Alive With Culture, Music and Connections

The 21st annual Taste of Soul Family Festival drew over 300,000 attendees to South Los Angeles for a massive celebration of Black culture, food, and music. Spanning the Crenshaw Boulevard corridor, the free event featured roughly 350 vendors, offering everything from Southern cuisine to professional health services and job recruitment opportunities. While headlining musical acts performed across three stages, the festival also served as a vital platform for small business entrepreneurs to reach a vast audience. Organizers are now addressing reports regarding several incidents that occurred during the festivities. Read more.

Published

14 hours ago

November 3, 2026

Post News Group

INSIDE Danny Bakewell Sr. (left) and Pamela Bakewell (right), longtime community leaders and organizers of the Taste of Soul Family Festival in Los Angeles.

The 21st annual Taste of Soul Family Festival brought hundreds of thousands to Crenshaw Boulevard in South Los Angeles on Oct. 17 for food, music and a celebration of Black culture. Visitors could shop with small businesses, enjoy live music performances, speak with health professionals and learn about job opportunities.

Presented by Bakewell Media and the Los Angeles Sentinel, the free festival stretched along the corridor from Stocker Street to Obama Boulevard. The Sentinel estimated attendance at more than 300,000. The day also marked founder Danny J. Bakewell Sr.’s 80th birthday.

“We call it a party with a purpose,” Pam Bakewell, the founder’s sister and a longtime festival organizer, told California Black Media (CBM).

The enticing aromas of barbecue, fried chicken and catfish filled the air as food vendors served up a tempting array of Southern favorites, including cobbler and other desserts. Vendors also offered clothing, jewelry, books and beauty products. About 350 vendors and sponsors participated, including approximately 80 food vendors, Bakewell said. Businesses came from across Southern California and as far away as Chicago and Atlanta.

“In one day, an entrepreneur has the opportunity to showcase their business to hundreds of thousands of people,” Danny J. Bakewell Jr., president of the Sentinel.

Chase offered vendors training in marketing and financial management, followed by a reception.

Experienced vendors also helped newcomers. Pam Bakewell cited Cobbler King, a longtime participant who shares lessons from his early festivals about preparing for crowds and building a business.

“We want everybody to be successful,” she said. “We can’t guarantee that, but we give you the crowd.”

Kaiser Permanente served as the festival’s main medical provider. St. John’s Community Health sponsored Children’s World, where children played games while families received preventive care and information about follow-up services.

St. John’s provided flu shots, fluoride treatments for children and clinic sign-ups for physical examinations. It also reported distributing more than 10,400 bags of diapers.

CBM hosted a booth as part of its California Black Health Journalism Project, a yearlong, solutions-oriented reporting initiative to advance health equity for Black Californians.

Dr. Deidra Beckles, who practices family and internal medicine, and Adriana Westby-Trent, Ph.D., a licensed clinical psychologist, held “Ask the Doc” conversations. Both are with Divinely Restored Health & Wellness. The booth drew steady traffic as they answered attendees’ health questions. Visitors received a “Your Wellness Matters” T-shirt.

The Sentinel promoted a developing jobs platform, inviting attendees to post resumes and connect with employers. Bakewell said about 350 people signed up along the boulevard.

Three stages offered music for different generations. The Bakewell Media Sounds of the Soul Stage featured Thelma Houston, Switch and headliner Midnight Star. Tony Cornelius, son of “Soul Train” creator Don Cornelius, introduced Midnight Star and appeared with eight veteran dancers from the television show.

The Radio Free KJLH Music Stage featured Lucky Daye, Alex Isley, Allen Stone and Terisa Griffin. On the Brenda Marsh-Mitchell Gospel Stage, MAJOR. served as host and performer. The lineup included Deitrick Haddon, local choirs and a youth performing arts ensemble.

During the festivities, ABC7 reported two stabbings and an hours long Los Angeles Police Department citywide tactical alert.

Pam Bakewell said police told organizers the incidents occurred outside the festival boundaries. She said organizers are reviewing safety measures with security personnel and police.