chic & The City: Drake

I found about this too good to be true free concert at South Street Seaport on June 15th from 6-9PM. For some reason I had in my head that it started at 5. So I rushed my brother and myself to the city, and by 5:22 we were making our way to an already large crowd of Drake fans.

By 5:23 I was irritated. The sun was burning, there was no room to see, and the hundreds of surrounding teens were unbearable. But we stayed, only hoping for a turnaround.

By 5:46 we had inched close enough to get a peek of the stage through various means of tippy-toeing.

The crowd was growing bigger, the space tighter and there was not a single security guard in sight. I thought I had spotted a police officer earlier, who had now disappeared. Smart move on his behalf.

Around this time, two boys took it at their liberty to climb the roof of a kiosk to get a better view. With only a moment to bask in their genius, they were yelled at by surrounding fans to come down. Ninjasonik, now on the stage proceeded to grab the mic and scream profanities in an effort to calm the crowd. Twisted.

Moments later, two guys looking fresh out of Jersey Shore climbed the same kiosk roof, this time putting on a performance--fist pumps, pelvis thrust and all. They got some laughs, even a few cheers from the crowd who had been eagerly anticipating some form of entertainment for the past hour.

Two guys turned into five, then ten, then girls with mini skirts and cut-off shorts flashing the crowd ever so colorfully in their attempts to mount the kiosk.

One kiosk turned into two, then like monkeys people began climbing and leaping to get on top of kiosks. Too late into the game, stage crew become concerned. A stage personnel identical to Elmer Fudd attempted to calm the now amped crowd. His pleas were met with yells and frequent "STFUs"

That's when the plastic bottles began to fly in the air; pelted in all directions. First by the crowd below, in attempt to get their fellow primates off the kiosk roof. Then water, and finally a large cup of orange soda. This was followed by pushing and periodic crowd fights. At this time I was more than ready to go, and contemplating how I would get through the mob. (Luckily, the bottle throwing did not reach our section, and the fights were not directly in front of me) But still, the situation was only getting worse.

Even then, I thought maybe Drake would come out by now. Interrupting my thoughts came the foul smell of smoke. Just about everyone surrounding me began to light up cigarettes, blunts, and all the works. This time I was really o u t.

My brother and I cleaved a path through the reek of B.O. and bodies, and alas made our way to the streets. We opted to walk the Brooklyn Bridge home with a few friends and scram from the growing chaos of Drake fans.

Finally, a smart move.

While walking on the Brooklyn Bridge we saw a view of the Seaport; Colors and specks of people. Ambulances were rushing to the scene. I knew someone had gotten injured but my brother assured me that it was only protocol for the ambulance to be on standby.

False.

The next morning, I was informed by the News of a riot that broke out at South Street Seaport, canceling the concert only moments after we decided to leave.

Reminding me ever so gracefully that the best things in life aren't free.