Over 20,000 fans came out to celebrate the Twelfth Annual Birthday Bash hosted by Radio One affiliate Hot 107.9 (WHAT-FM) in Atlanta on Saturday (June 16) and the sold out crowd unanimously crowned TI king of the evening’s festivities.
But it was a misconstrued statement by Young Buck that is causing the most scandal, with reports surfacing shortly after Birthday Bash that the G-Unit member took shots at his own crew at the end of his performance.
The statement in question came shortly after Buck announced the addition of one-time Tupac protégés The Outlaws to his Cashville Records imprint.
“All [Buck] said when he got on stage was that he was trying to make Cashville Records the next G-Unit cause 50 didn’t share [those millions]” Sixx co-manager told AllHipHop.com. “He was joking, talking about the vitaminwater deal. I guess I can see how they might have misunderstood, but he definitely wasn’t dissing. There’s no beef.”
Young Buck controversy aside, TI kept the capacity crowd on their feet during his 30-minute set with performances of fan favorites like “Dope Boyz” and “Bring ‘Em Out.”
The highlight of TI’s high energy show was the appearance of Young Jeezy and Young Dro for the “Top Back” remix.
While B.G., the newest member of the Grand Hustle family, was in attendance at Phillips Arena, he didn’t make it to the stage for his verse.
TI’s guests included Slick Pulla and Bloodraw – the remaining two thirds of USDA – who joined Jeezy during a performance of their current single “White Girl.”
Rapper Big Kuntry jumped on stage to the roaring reception of the crowd. TI closed out the set with Mannie Fresh joining him on “Big Things Poppin’.”
During an intermission, singer Usher was recognized by the Lisa Lopes Foundation for his community service efforts.
The Foundation, named after TLC’s Left Eye, selects an entertainer to honor each year at Birthday Bash, with TI and David Banner receiving the award in 2005 and 2006 respectively.
While on stage to give Usher his award, Left Eye’s mother Wanda Lopes, sister Reigndrop and brother Ronald received a donation from Island Def Jam President Jermaine Dupri, on behalf of the label and CEO LA Reid, in support of the Foundation’s work with children in the Atlanta area and Honduras, where Left Eye died in 2002.
While performances by Ciara, DJ Khaled, Rick Ross, Rich Boy and Lil’ Scrappy went off without a hitch, The Game took advantage of his performance early in the concert to continue his feud with G-Unit.
After aiming verbal attacks at every member of G-Unit from Ma$e to Olivia, the Compton MC led the crowd in resounding chants of “G-g-g-g-g-unot!” before leaving the stage.
Even TI hinted to tension with an unnamed Atlanta artist, taking several moments throughout his set to proclaim the city as his and Birthday Bash as “his show.”
The strong hometown support translated to an equally as strong of a reception for local newcomers like Da Shop Boyz, Gucci Mane and the King of Crunk himself, Lil’ Jon.
