The First Hot In Herre Festival

Recording Artist, Entrepreneur: Joseph Antonio Cartagena Professionally Known As Fat Joe, Location: Downsview Park, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Year: 2023, Photographer: Ajani Charles

On Saturday, June 24, 2023, in collaboration with the good people at Festivals of Vaughn, I documented the first Hot In Herre festival, which took place at Toronto’s spacious Downsview Park.

The festival was named after the seminal hit record and summer anthem by Cornell Iral Haynes Jr., better known by his stage name Nelly, and for all intents and purposes, it was and still is his festival (alongside Festivals of Vaughn and other partners).

The location was aptly chosen, not only due to its spaciousness but because of Nelly’s strong ties to Toronto, including but not limited to the fact that the music video for Hot In Herre was produced and shot in Toronto, featured numerous Torontonian talents, including the recently deceased model Pasha Bleadsell; one of the most beautiful models from the so-called “video vixen” era of hip-hop, r&b, and soul music videos (during the early 2000s). Moreover, the music video for Hot In Herre was directed by my colleague, mentor Julien Christian Lutz, professionally known as Director X (who was known as Little X then).

Surprisingly, despite living in Toronto since I was five years old, it was my first time at Downsview Park, and I was excited to interact with and capture imagery of Nelly and all of his guests, many of whom are musicians that I have listened to, and appreciated since I was a teenager.

As I have done many times since 2008, I was preparing to work with individuals who have contributed to my life's soundtrack.

I have watched Nelly’s ascent to superstardom since he was an obscure rapper from St. Louis, Missouri, debuting some of his first singles on BET, MTV, and other media platforms that championed hip-hop music, and were incredibly popular during the early 2000s. Given the capital available in the music industry, it was the perfect time to enter it as a hip-hop recording artist.

Recording Artist, Actress: Keri Hilson, Location: Downsview Park, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Year: 2023, Photographer: Ajani Charles

The weather was sweltering when I arrived at the park. Unfortunately, I missed Chingy’s performance due to other projects, and it took about half an hour to enter the vast parking lot area and find a spot. Thousands of festival patrons were excited about the show they were to witness.

I was excited too, but I was displeased by the fact that the parking lot area was filled with mud, following rainfall earlier in the day, and presumably the night before, and my brand new, all-white Nike Air Force Ones were tarnished before I could make my way to the official festival grounds.

As I approached the V.I.P. and media check-in area, I thought the festival would either be highly organized, fun, and a massive success or the opposite. That is usually the case for the first iteration of most festivals, which also tend to experience substantial financial losses.

Once I was handed my media pass and told I would be given full access to every facet of the festival, the thoroughness of the security check put me at ease. It indicated that the festival’s production was meticulously planned and staffed.

I also felt grateful, as the weather was rainy and gloomy about an hour before I arrived at the festival, circa 2:00 PM. Still, the skies had cleared entirely, and it was a beautiful and scorching day as I entered the festival grounds and pulled my Canon EOS R5 out of my camera bag.

The festival organizers could not have hoped or prayed for better weather, and as I could faintly hear Keri Hilson’s beautiful voice singing more than a couple of hundred meters away, I knew it was time for me to get to work. I began traversing the park’s grassy fields while ignoring the mud on my once-clean sneakers.

Like the crowd at the Lox’s recent Canadian Music Week 2023 performance, which I was fortunate to document, millennials and Gen X contributed to the highest percentage of Hot In Herre patrons, alongside a small number of Gen Z and other generations, and generally, the crowd was quite respectful, engaging, and there for a great time.

As I entered the media pit, Keri Hilson was amid some of her greatest hits from the early 2000s. Some of the records she performed included Knock You Down featuring Kanye West and Ne-Yo, Pretty Girl Rock, and Lose Control featuring Nelly.

Dressed in all black like Hilson, her dancers accompanied her perfectly. I also noticed an FPV (First-Person View) drone was documenting her, which was very cool. I assumed that it would be used to record the entirety of the festival, and in the end, my assumptions were correct.

FPV drones include goggles that provide a real-time video feed from the drone's onboard camera, allowing the pilot to have an immersive first-person perspective while flying the drone.

As a seasoned performer, she was very engaging; the crowd loved the show she put on, which left them and me with a lasting impression.

She performed passionately and emotionally, and I understood how and why she is also an actress.

Host, Producer, Performer: Taylor Patterson, Location: Downsview Park, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Year: 2023, Photographer: Ajani Charles

Also, it is worth mentioning she wrote songs for various artists, including but not limited to Mary J. Blige, Britney Spears, and Ciara, before embarking on her solo career. She is super-talented.

Documenting Hilson’s performance was an excellent way to warm up for a long, entertaining day and night.

Satisfied with my shot images, I headed to the media lounge near the backstage entrance. I ran into my student via the Canon FUTURES program, Taylor Patterson, a host, producer, and performer popularized in Toronto for his work on behalf of BlogTO and who was working as one of the social media hosts for Hot In Herre.

He is one of twenty students I have mentored this year through the Canon FUTURES program, and it was great seeing him put his talents to work for what was shaping up to be a successful festival.

I also took time to observe the FPV drone operator at work, which looked like a fun job.

Soon after, I went backstage and ran into many of Toronto’s hip-hop community’s most influential leaders, especially within the context of music, including, but not limited to, the primary host of Hot In Herre, Jason Drew Harrow, professionally known as Kardinal Offishall, Paul Parhar, professionally known as Mastermind, and by far one of my favourite DJs since I was in high school, Mark Gagnon, known locally and internationally as DJ Starting From Scratch. Operation Prefrontal Cortex’s co-founder Danell Adams was also in attendance.

Location: Downsview Park, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Year: 2023, Photographer: Ajani Charles

Scratch’s wife, Shannon Gagnon, a talented make-up artist, and his business partner and manager, Tim Hermeyln, were backstage too.

I reflected on my gratitude for meeting them a few months ago when I documented them at one of Scratch’s many stellar 90s music parties at the Phoenix Concert Theatre in Toronto for Project T-Dot, my documentary project on Toronto’s hip-hop culture, community, and history.

As usual, Kardinal raised the crowd’s spirits and prepared them for some fantastic performances that would start a much-needed summer following the many physical and psychological restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Some people may have suppressed their memories of the pandemic and its implications. Still, at Hot In Herre, I could reflect on them, which made me feel immense gratitude that I was at a music festival, let alone working near others. Such things were illegal not too long ago.

Toronto needed Hot In Herre, possibly more than the crowd and other participants realized.

As I headed back to the media lounge and wondered when the next act was going to start their performance, I looked towards the V.I.P. lounge and Fat Joe, dressed in all pink, with pink and white Jordan sneakers on, was walking towards me and the primary backstage entrance, with two of his friends, security, and other members of his entourage.

DJ, Producer, Entrepreneur: Mark Gagnon Professionally Known As Starting From Scratch, Location: Downsview Park, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Year: 2023, Photographer: Ajani Charles

Fat Joe, whose legal is Joseph Antonio Cartagena, is one of hip-hop music’s most respected figures; I first became aware of him during the ninth grade, as he was the righthand man of Christopher Lee Rios, professionally known as Big Pun before his untimely death. Fat Joe was the individual that helped Big Pun to secure his first record deal.

Big Pun is among the most talented rappers ever to hold a mic. It has been amazing to witness his success within the music industry and other industries after losing a friend and artist that could have quickly become as famous as DMX or Eminem, at least for a short time.

Fat Joe played a crucial role in the early 90s hip-hop scene in New York City, primarily as part of The Diggin' in the Crates Crew, commonly known as D.I.T.C., a hip-hop collective formed in 1992 in New York City.

The collective's name derives from seeking out records to sample for producing hip-hop records. It includes Lord Finesse, Diamond D, O.C., Fat Joe, Buckwild, Showbiz and A.G., and arguably the most talented rapper from Harlem and one of my favourites, Lamont Coleman, professionally known as Big L.

Fat Joe represents the South Bronx; before gaining mass appeal through hip-hop records considered crossover hits, he brought attention to his home borough's gritty street life and struggles through hardcore rap records.

He is incredibly knowledgeable about all elements of hip-hop culture, so much so that I would undoubtedly watch a documentary on his life or take a course on hip-hop culture led by him.

Joe performed some of his greatest hits at Hot In Herre, including Lean Back, What's Luv? featuring Ashanti, All the Way Up featuring Remy Ma, and many others.

His two friends, one of whom is his business manager, were providing him with towels and water. As they did, I recalled an interview wherein Fat Joe described how he once pretended to have lost all of his money to determine which of his entourage members truly loved him as a person instead of primarily being interested in capitalizing on his material success.

The two friends with him on stage at Hot In Herre were the two friends that stuck with him, alongside four others, when nearly fifty so-called friends left him when Joe supposedly could no longer fund their lifestyles.

Instead of having approximately fifty people around him on tour and otherwise, Joe now has six.

At Hot In Herre, he was also supported by Ja Rule’s DJ, DJ Don Demarco, and the two collaborated to pay tribute to some of Joe’s deceased friends and colleagues by playing hits by the Notorious B.I.G., DMX, Big Pun, and other hip-hop music legends that passed away far too soon.

Don Demarco also played records by DJ Khaled and other colleagues that helped Fat Joe rise to the top of the Billboard charts and other musical charts soon after Joe described Kardinal Offishall as “beyond legend.”

The crowd was losing its mind in the best way possible, and Joe comedically exclaimed that they were pushing him to give his all on stage despite the physical limitations evidenced in his name.

One of many things that have led to Joe’s success in the music industry and other industries is his charisma, which was on full display at Hot In Herre through his words, outfit, and swagger on stage, backstage, and in the V.I.P. lounge.

I was grateful to document him and shoot some engaging portraits of him.

I returned to the V.I.P. lounge to socialize with various professionals, including photographers, filmmakers, managers, promoters, bodyguards, Hot In Herre’s musical acts, etc.

I would describe the decor and vibe of the V.I.P. lounge as a country club meets an arcade, and there were film and television production trailers around the perimeter of the lounge, about twenty meters away, which acted as the green rooms for all of the festival’s musical acts.

After half an hour or so, I realized Rick Ross, born William Leonard Roberts II, one of the world’s most famous rappers, was on stage, so I power-walked over.

Recording Artist, Entrepreneur: William Leonard Roberts II Professionally Known As Rick Ross, Location: Downsview Park, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Year: 2023, Photographer: Ajani Charles

I remember thinking Rick Ross was a mediocre rapper when he released his earliest projects, like his first album Port of Miami.

However, when he began collaborating with Drake, I thought he was probably the most improved rapper in America.

Although he was far less animated than my favourite rap performers, his hit records resonated with the crowd nonetheless; their resounding cheers were evidence of that, and he performed songs such as Hustlin, The Boss featuring T-Pain, Aston Martin Music featuring Drake and Chrisette Michele, and Stay Schemin featuring Drake and French Montana.

Ross’ music took the audience on a journey reminiscent of Miami Vice meets Scarface. I enjoyed photographing him, mainly since I have been dissatisfied with some photographs I shot of him at one of the earliest OVO Fests.

After briefly resting in the media lounge, I looked towards the V.I.P. lounge. I saw Jeffrey Bruce Atkins Sr., professionally known as Ja Rule, heading towards me and the primary backstage entrance as a passenger in a golf cart. Among other things, he wore bright orange sunglasses and grey and orange shop gloves.

I photographed him as his bodyguard began helping him to adjust his in-ear monitor, and a flood of memories from my high school days began to enter my consciousness as Ja Rule was extremely popular during my first few years of high school, slightly before the likes of DMX, Eminem, and 50 Cent rose to prominence.

Soon after, Ja, a small entourage, myself, and a handful of others went backstage, and I noticed that a small group of paramedics were placing him on a medical gurney, also known as a stretcher, which is a specialized piece of equipment used for transporting patients onto ambulances and in medical facilities.

His performance promptly began with a display of video-based highlights from his career, including Dave Chappelle’s famous "Where is Ja?" quote, from a 2005 standup routine that joked about the fact that many legacy media platforms often ask public figures about their opinions concerning topics that they lack expertise in.

He was then brought on stage and rose out of the stretcher, presumably to symbolize the resurrection of his being and career.

Ja Rule and Curtis James Jackson III, professionally known as 50 Cent, have had a highly publicized feud that has lasted since 2002, and it is one of the most notable rivalries in hip-hop history.

The feud was initially characterized by a series of diss tracks, interviews, and personal attacks between the two artists, and 50 recently and predictably mocked Ja Rule publicly for the previously-mentioned stretcher stunt.

I have been observing their rivalry since it began, I have listened to both 50 and Ja’s music since 1998, and I understand their beef in great detail, primarily because I have studied 50’s books Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter and The 50th Law, which he wrote with Robert Greene, wherein he describes the nuances of the beef, why and how he has engaged in it, how he undermined Ja’s popularity, and so on.

Recording Artist, Entrepreneur: Jeffrey Bruce Atkins Sr. Professionally Known As Ja Rule, Location: Downsview Park, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Year: 2023, Photographer: Ajani Charles

I finished Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter this past winter and have listened to the audio version of The 50th Law at least ten times. I highly recommend them to all entrepreneurs, given 50’s prolific career as an entrepreneur that happens to be one of the most prolific rappers in the world.

Although 50’s smear campaign was ultimately successful, I have enjoyed Ja Rule’s music. There is no denying that Ja was one of the most famous rappers in the world by a wide margin and was one of the flagship rappers on Def Jam, arguably the most iconic hip-hop record label.

At Hot In Herre, he energetically performed mega-hits like Always On Time featuring Ashanti, Put It On Me featuring Lil' Mo and Vita, Livin' It Up featuring Case and Mesmerize with Ashanti.

As earlier, many memories from my teenage years came to mind, as my early high school years were when his most famous records were released.

I also recalled Ja was once part of a group that included DMX and Jay-Z, arguably the best rappers from America’s east coast, as part of a collective known as Murder Inc.

Murder Inc., also called The Murderers, was a short-lived collaboration between the artists.

The group's formation was rooted in their shared connections to the record label Murder Inc. Records, founded by Irving Domingo Lorenzo Jr., professionally known as Irv Gotti.

While the group never released a full-length album together, they collaborated on several tracks, showcasing their rap styles and often appearing on each other's projects. They could have become a group as celebrated as Outkast, Mobb Deep, and the Wu-Tang Clan.

It was awesome to hear thousands of people singing along to Ja’s songs, word for word, and he left the stage to the sound of cheers.

After his performance, I had a great time shooting portraits of him in front of his green room in the blazing hot sun as he relaxed on a lounge chair, spoke to some fans, and smoked what was probably the largest joint at Hot In Herre.

Like every other artist at Hot In Herre, he was in great spirits, clearly grateful to perform in front of an adoring crowd of many people who have found joy through his music for over two decades.

After another short break, I began to document Clifford Joseph Harris Jr., professionally known as T.I. or T.I.P., an entrepreneur, recording artist, and actor whose music I have listened to since its early stages.

I first heard T.I.P. in 2000 through a record called 2 Glock 9s featuring Beanie Sigel.

At Hot In Herre, he performed numerous hit records, including but not limited to Live Your Life featuring Rihanna, Whatever You Like, Dead And Gone featuring Justin Timberlake, Live In The Sky featuring Jamie Foxx, Bring Em Out, and What You Know.

T.I. was more animated than all of the rappers that preceded him at Hot In Herre, except Ja Rule. As I documented him, I reflected that his rise to superstardom took approximately six years after signing with Arista Records subsidiary LaFace Records in 1999, a relatively short time for artistic careers.

After resting in the media lounge, Aliaune Damala Badara Akon Thiam, professionally known as Akon, approached the backstage entrance with his wife, recording artist Amirror, and the rest of his entourage.

Previously, in 2019, when I attended the Elevate conference with Operation Prefrontal Cortex to promote the benefits of mindfulness and meditation concerning the healing of traumas and violent propensities and to support our co-founder Julien Christian Lutz pka Director X, I had documented and learned from Akon, who was also a speaker at Elevate.

He attended our private fundraising event during Elevate and was very generous with his time, attention, social capital, and knowledge. He inspired me to think bigger.

As I documented him at Hot In Herre’s backstage entrance, I thought he was among the most ambitious entrepreneurs I have encountered.

Akon co-founded Lighting Africa, an initiative to provide access to electricity in rural areas of Africa.

The project focuses on implementing solar power solutions to address energy poverty on the continent.

He has also launched a cryptocurrency, Akoin, to empower and connect African entrepreneurs and consumers, which formed the basis of his participation in Elevate 2019.

The cryptocurrency operates on a blockchain platform and seeks to address financial inclusion and economic opportunities in Africa.

During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, Akon announced plans to build a futuristic city in Senegal called Akon City.

Recording Artist, Entrepreneur, Social Activist: Clifford Joseph Harris Jr. Professionally Known As T.I., Location: Downsview Park, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Year: 2023, Photographer: Ajani Charles

The city is envisioned as a sustainable and technologically advanced hub that will leverage renewable energy sources and provide economic opportunities for the local community.

As Akon waited to head up the backstage staircase, he seemed as calm as possible, almost meditative, despite all the individuals speaking or attempting to speak to him.

At the time, Kardinal, otherwise known as Kardi, was in the process of introducing him and exciting the crowd, reminding his captivated audience that Akon changed his life by signing him to KonLive Distribution and significantly contributing to Kardi’s hit record Dangerous, which won the award for Single of the Year at the 2009 Juno Award, and which was certified four times platinum by Music Canada and three times platinum by the RIAA in January of this year.

Once Akon walked onto the stage, I felt the crowd's eruption viscerally, and within ten minutes, I was reminded of the sheer volume of hit records he has produced for himself and others.

Lonely, Smack That featuring Eminem, Don't Matter, I Wanna Love You featuring Snoop Dogg, Right Now (Na Na Na) were a handful of hits that he performed before Kardi joined him on stage to perform Dangerous and the record Beautiful which also features Colby O'Donis, while being supported by his longtime friend and hypeman Sheldon Pitt, better known by his stage name Solitair; a Canadian rapper, record producer, and social activist from Toronto.

The camaraderie between Akon and Kardi was evident, and observing Akon’s mastery over the crowd for the first time led me to understand his international appeal in a way that I could not before, as I had not seen him perform live before Hot In Herre. An Akon speaking engagement is vastly different from an Akon musical performance.

Recording Artist, Songwriter, Producer, DJ, A&R, Entrepreneur, Social Activist: Jason Drew Harrow, Professionally Known As Kardinal Offishall, Recording Artist, Social Activist, Entrepreneur: Aliaune Damala Badara Akon Thiam, Professionally Known As Akon, Location: Downsview Park, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Year: 2023, Photographer: Ajani Charles

With that said, Akon has undoubtedly achieved global success, with his songs topping charts in various countries.

He has also been instrumental in the musical successes of Kardi, T-Pain, Lady Gaga, and many others.

Akon signed Lady Gaga, or Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, to his record label, Konvict Muzik 2007. He helped develop and mentor her as an artist and featured her on his hit single Just Dance in 2008, which propelled her to mainstream success.

Coincidentally, during 2008, I opted to stay in and play Xbox instead of meeting Lady Gaga at Circa nightclub in Toronto through one of my clients, as she was supposedly too obscure to me then.

After his live collaboration with Kardi, Akon’s wife, Amirror, joined him for a captivating performance. At the same time, one of his brothers continued his role as hype man, wearing a bedazzled African tribal mask, which was very cool.

I then spent at least ten minutes or so documenting Akon getting into a giant, inflatable, transparent bubble, which he promptly used to go crowd surfing overtop of the Hot In Herre crowd, rendering his performance arguably the most exciting and intimate amongst the Hot In Herre lineup.

Recording Artist, Producer, Social Activist, Entrepreneur: Aliaune Damala Badara Akon Thiam Professionally Known As Akon, Location: Downsview Park, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Year: 2023, Photographer: Ajani Charles

Unfortunately, following Akon’s performance and yet another break, I could not document Ne-Yo’s performance in the media pit, backstage, on stage, or via the side stage area as I could during most of the other Hot In Herre performances. All of the previously-mentioned areas were cleared for Ne-Yo as per his request.

However, based on my observations and documentation, his performance looked and sounded great; he channelled the spirit of Michael Jackson by wearing an all-black outfit, including a fedora reminiscent of Jackson’s Smooth Criminal music video and subsequent performances. Ne-Yo is undoubtedly one of the most talented individuals in the music industry.

With the help of his talented dancers, he performed hits such as So Sick, Miss Independent, Closer, and Because of You, which the crowd sang along to and have played a significant role in shaping the modern sound of R&B and pop music.

His heartfelt lyrics, infectious melodies, and smooth dance moves were a hit at Hot In Herre.

Following his performance, my feet were burning, I was experiencing exhaustion and hunger, and I began to feel irritable. Thankfully, the catering company that was providing gourmet desserts close to the media lounge prepared a vanilla ice cream-covered chocolate chip waffle for me, which was delicious. The company’s staff saw my state and refused to charge me, which I was grateful for.

My student Taylor also gave me some of his food, which was a blessing, and after I thanked him, I listened to his description of how he went about his role as the social media host for the festival.

Recording Artist, Producer, Actor, Entrepreneur: Shaffer Chimere Smith Professionally Known As Ne-Yo, Location: Downsview Park, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Year: 2023, Photographer: Ajani Charles

I then had the pleasure of spending some time with Nelly’s dancers, who are beautiful and reminded me of some of the talented dancers that I grew up with through the Claude Watson Arts program in Toronto, especially Sarah Rosete and Naomi Allen, who are some of Nelly’s friends, and who have performed with numerous hip-hop, R&B, and soul music greats in the past, through tours, music videos, and otherwise.

I shot some portraits of Nelly’s dancers before documenting a couple of them playing a hoop shooting game. Players aim to score points by shooting a physical basketball into a hoop or multiple hoops within a given time limit.

I had a lot of fun before returning to the media lounge to await the start of Nelly’s performance.

After charging my phone and observing the FPV drone pilot’s fantastic work yet again, this time long after sunset, several security guards cleared the backstage entrance as Nelly approached, his large pendant and chain glistening due to the artificial lights in the area.

Nelly’s performance was highly-anticipated; it did not disappoint and led me to reflect on many memories from my teenage years for the hundredth time that night.

Like Ne-Yo’s performance, I was not allowed on stage or in other areas that I was given full access to moments prior, so I made due and photographed Nelly from as many alternative vantage points as possible.

Nelly is the most popular hip-hop musician from St. Louis, he has expanded into other genres of music and various entrepreneurial ventures, and his successes have made him an iconic figure. So, I was unsurprised by the excitement from his adoring fans throughout the Hot In Herre crowd.

While popularity is subjective and can vary over time, Nelly's impact on the music industry is undeniable.

Since I have observed his career since its early beginnings, I understand how he has developed a broad appeal that has attracted listeners beyond traditional hip-hop fans.

His catchy hooks, pop-friendly melodies, and collaborations with pop artists like Kelly Rowland and Justin Timberlake helped bridge the gap between hip-hop and mainstream audiences.

Furthermore, Nelly's unique fashion sense, including his iconic band-aid on his cheek, became part of his brand and has had a lasting influence on hip-hop fashion since the early 2000s.

He has also won three Grammy Awards throughout his career, including Best Rap Solo Performance for Hot in Herre in 2003, and several Billboard Music Awards, including the Top Pop Songs Artist of the Year in 2002 and the Top Rap Songs Artist of the Year in 2002 and 2003, among countless other accolades.

Recording Artist, Entrepreneur: Cornell Iral Haynes Jr. Professionally Known As Nelly, Location: Downsview Park, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Year: 2023, Photographer: Ajani Charles

I enjoyed his set, which included hit records like Hot in Herre, Dilemma featuring Kelly Rowland, Country Grammar, and Grillz featuring Paul Wall, Ali, and Gip. Unfortunately, I missed a cameo appearance by Ashanti Shequoiya Douglas, professionally known as Ashanti, one of my favourite R&B vocalists and writers and a woman that Nelly dated for over a decade. However, I saw her backstage and documented her performance the following evening at Toronto's International Jazz Festival, which was amazing.

Nelly also performed my favourite of his records, Ride Wit Me, featuring his group, the St. Lunatics. I have probably listened to hundreds, if not thousands, of times due to its hypnotic and uplifting melodies and production.

I was also reminded of the dirt on my all-white Nike Air Force Ones as he performed Air Force Ones featuring the St. Lunatics, a record that increased the sales of the popular Nike shoes.

His dancers did a great job executing stellar choreography, supporting Nelly, and engaging the audience, and his performance would not have been as captivating without them.

Hot In Herre was a pleasant surprise; it exceeded my expectations, it was meticulously organized, and there were very few delays and fewer violent altercations than one would expect at a large music festival.

Hot In Herre 2024 was recently announced due to the succ’ss of the festival’s launch at Downsview Park this year, and I know for a fact, after speaking Scratch'sting From Scratch’s manager Tim this week, that the process of planning the year'sics for next year’s festival has begun.

I highly recommend Hot In Herre to fans of early 2000s hip-hop, R&B, and soul music, those interested in pop culture, and anyone looking for a fun way to start summer 2024 in Toronto.

The First Hot In Herre Festival

Ashanti At TD Toronto Jazz Festival 2023

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