Rap/Hip Hop Lights Up The Fourth of July Weekend in Lake Havasu

By Becky Maxedon

Sideshow Entertainment LLC, a locally based production company established by Tommy Rizzo, Co-Owner, and Lake Havasu City resident and Chris Griner, Detail Specialties as a collaborative venture to bring diverse entertainment to Lake Havasu City.

According to a press release, the goal of SideShow Entertainment is to keep the experience intimate, up close and personal.

SideShow brought Rap/Hip Hop artists DJ Quik, N2Deep, 2nd II None and Rodney O to Lake Havasu City for the Fourth of July weekend.

Entertaining the crowd with beats as nostalgic to the crowd as bbq hot dogs on the Fourth of July, the performance was casual but executed with the familiarity of a backyard gathering, the press release said.

“When all performers were on stage together the crowd was loud and engaged, mouthing lyrics and shouting for more,” the press release said.

Rodney O performs Lake Havasu City, AZ. RiverScene Magazine News Jillian Danielson Photos

Rodney O and DJ Quik release confetti over the crowd Saturday night. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Sideshow Entertainment said they look forward to creating relevant and unique Havasu-centric memories while supporting local products, businesses and charities.

Twenty five percent of beverage sales proceeds were donated to the Rescue One Foundation a part of an initiative to support education and prevention of human trafficking.

Some of the artists who performed over the weekend spoke with RiverScene Magazine about their stay in Lake Havasu City.

Artist Jay Tee of N2Deep said he first visited Lake Havasu City in 1992 when MTV aired “Spring Break on the Beach.”

“Then I came back about 10 years later with Baby Bash. So actually, this is my third time. I love this place,” he said.

“We only had a few hours before the show, but we rented some jet skis. We’re right by London Bridge so we got to go on the water and enjoy some of the locals.”

Jay Tee said that during the show he performed old and new material.

N2Deep performs Lake Havasu City, AZ. RiverScene Magazine News Jillian Danielson Photos

Jay Tee of “N2Deep” performs “Back to the Hotel” Saturday night. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

“I did a couple of songs off “Latino Velvet” which is me and Baby Bash. I did some of my “Entity” songs and of course, I did some of my Jay Tee solo songs.”

He performed a song of his latest album called “Jay Tee And The End of an Era.”

“I just tried to have fun. The people were into it. All the groups who performed were awesome. We’re lovin’ it and we’re gonna’ continue to party tonight.”

DJ Quik, who spoke of his friendships with other artists in the Rap/Hip Hop community like Dr. Dre, Warren G, Too Short, Snoop Dog, Ice Cube and Dub Z, said they all came out of the Southern California experience of that genre.

Artist Rodney 0 told RiverScene it was his first time in Lake Havasu City.

“I’ve never been on the 40 East,” he said.

I’ve been doing this since ’84. I came out of LA and I was there with Ice T. When you’re young, you’re fearless and you’re at all the places you need to be,” he said.

“We just started putting out records and never stopped.”

Sponsors included Detail Specialties (Venue), AZ Party Rentals (rentals), AZ Detail Supply (rentals), BoomBandits (Sound & Stage), Bandit BBQ (Food Truck), Copper Still Distillery (Beverage Supply), Mudshark Brewery (Craft Brew), Stoney’s Bar and Grill (Food Truck), Wastn Space (donated dumpster). Monday Energy Drink, DJ MYN, and Wraith Powerboats (Sponsor).

2nd II None, DJ Quik, and Rodney O perform in Lake Havasu Saturday night. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

DJ Quik performs Lake Havasu City, AZ. RiverScene Magazine News Jillian Danielson Photos

DJ Quik performs in Lake Havasu City, AZ. Saturday evening at Detail Specialties. Concert hosted by Sideshow Entertainment. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene