FO·MO

ˈfōmō/

noun

informal

  1. anxiety that an exciting or interesting event may currently be happening elsewhere, often aroused by posts seen on a social media website.
  2. “I realized I was a lifelong sufferer of FOMO”

Urban dictionary definition: The fear that if you miss a party or event you will miss out on something great.

My definition: DON’T MISS THE EVENT.

Luckily, I’m here to provide you with all things you’ve missed, in this popping city of Los Angeles. My name is Shirley Ju, and I live, breathe, sleep Hip Hop. Coming from the Bay, I grew up to the hyphy movement. That being said, turning up is all I know. This will be a weekly recap of the dope events that I myself felt like I couldn’t miss, and you guys wish you were at.

Sunday, October 16

This shit was BANANAS. B-A-N-A-N-A-S. This was night two of Gwen Stefani’s This is What The Truth Feels Like tour featuring Eve. The tour was actually to promote Gwen’s #1 album, which was released a year and a half ago. We ain’t mad. In fact, we’re ecstatic.

Couldn’t ask for a better Sunday night at The Forum. Sold out is an understatement, and I’ll tell you why. First of all, shoutout to my homegirl who is a die hard Gwen Stefani fan. She told me she bleached her hair blond because of her. I love it. We were complete fangirls tonight. No shame.

So I like to pretend I’m a ninja every time I go to a huge venue. The game plan: buy the cheapest tickets and sneak down. Success rate: 75%. Most of the time, we are able to find two seats on the lower level and we are good for the rest of the night. Tonight, we had to move three times. Every seat at the show was taken.

We experienced half the show from the lower levels, until we realized it was time to give up and go to our actual seats. Which was still epic. In fact, everyone wasso turnt in the upper levels. Everyone below us was chilling in their seats. IT’S GWEN STEFANI, PEOPLE! Get up.

Gwen Stefani and Eve together on stage was perfect. They are both beautiful, both flawless. Watching them perform “Let Me Blow Ya Mind” and “Rich Girl” live was everything.

I also just found out Gwen is 47-years-old. She looks amazing. There’s no way. Did I say she looks amazing? All her outfits tonight reminded me of the old days when Gwen was literally the queen of pop, creating her own definition of “fashion.” Remember her Harajuku girls phase? I was definitely into it. She played all her hits: “Underneath It All,” “Just a Girl,” “Don’t Speak,” “What You Waiting For?” … just to name a few.

Another highlight of the night is when she brought out beau Blake Shelton, at which point the crowd goes absolutely wild. Not sure if they were more excited for him, or the fact that Gwen and him are so madly in love. I’m the latter. The two lovebirds did their “Go Ahead and Break My Heart” duet while Blake effortlessly strummed the guitar. My homegirl informed me they met on The Voice, a show she has watched since day one. She’s been with them since the start.

This show was extra special to Gwen, since it’s so close to her hometown of Anaheim, CA (one hour away). Shout out to those in the crowd who attended both LA shows, that’s love. Also, this is nothing new, but Gwen really, truly cares about her fans. She is constantly thanking t̶h̶e̶m̶ us for everything. No Gwen, thank you.

Tuesday, October 18

The first thing I did when I got home tonight was download Jooba Loc’s Only Way Out LP. That should tell you how well the night went. This was a private screening of Jooba’s Only Way Out: A Gangster Musical short film.

Jooba is the hottest signee out of Doggy Style Records, rightfully dubbed Snoop Dogg’s protegee. This is where I’d normally hit you with the “With Snoop by your side, you can’t lose,” but no. This guy is actually really talented. I would definitely say the production got me first (Mustard on the beat, ho), but that’s usually how it happens with me.

The screening was held at Silent Movie Theatre on Fairfax in West Hollywood, CA. I actually always drive by this theater wondering, do they play silent movies? It was dope to finally see what the mystery was all about. It was a real intimate theater and we chose to sit in the second row to be as close as possible to the Q&A with Snoop afterward.

The film sheds light on Jooba Loc’s life in his LBC neighborhood, giving fans a glimpse of his struggle from the streets to being a successful rapper. The film was directed by D. Baker, and you can just tell it was created organically. It begins with Jooba as a child, giving us a first-hand look into his childhood and what it’s like being raised by a drug-using mother.


My boss described it perfectly: unintentionally funny. There were many parts where the whole theater would bust out laughing, when I’m not sure that was the intention. I appreciated it. I think humor is a necessary component in any movie. The short film had Jooba’s music videos weaved throughout, most had me turning up in my seat.

Jooba was late, so they started the Q&A without him. I’m honestly humbled any time I’m in the same room as Snoop. He’s the OG. The message he gave was directed to anybody out there struggling on the streets. With Snoop’s tutelage, Jooba’s story, is proof that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

On to the next one. I hop in my whip and hustle my way to The Shrine by USC. This show had been in my planner since the day it was announced. ScHoolboy Q’s Blank Face Tour featuring Joey Bada$$. Correction, Black Face World Tour. He’s no longer just a member of TDE. Tonight, he proved why he’s the “Man Of The Year.”

ScHoolboy Q facing his sold out crowd at The Shrine in Los Angeles, CA.

I have honestly never seen The Shrine that sold out. And I literally was just here for GTA and Zhu, both “sold out.” Q put them to the dust. The photo really doesn’t do justice, the crowd extended all the way to the back wall. Shout out to Jessica and Marcos, who manages T.F, for hooking it up with that all access pass.

I started out in the photo pit, and that’s when I realized how dedicated his fans were. The people in the front row do not play. Neither does the middle though. The mosh pit clan was in full action mode tonight. ScHoolboy Q definitely creates music to get rowdy to. When he performed “Man Of The Year,” I kept thinking, this is the show of the year. Pun intended.

Speaking of, shout out to Pun of League of Starz, G Perico, T.F,Ash Riser, and all my people that were out tonight. It was one for the books, and we can all attest to that. Hearing Q perform “Blessed” live tonight reminded me how much that song meant to me. Low key (high key) got a tattoo because of it.

No one expected Kendrick Lamar to show up. We were all living off the high of ScHoolboy Q shutting down the stage. First of all, Q brought up this little boy from the crowd. If only his parents knew what he experienced tonight. I hope someone shows them this video. K. Dot coming out to perform his untitled 07 “Levitate” track undoubtedly put a smile on every single person’s face. Either that or an immediate grab of their phone to Snapchat. For me, it was both.

Also, shout out to T.F who killed his verse on “Tookie Knows II.” The crowd knew all the words. Tonight was special, and I’m so honored to be a part of it.