ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • JUNE 26 - JULY 2, 2014C12

Chelle and Keona closed out their weekend with a Day Party Sunday afternoon thanks to the Marquee

The staff of Lola posed together for the last time as the popular venue prepared to say farewell last weekend after four years in business

Toni and Mimi got a chance to meet and greet with Hot 104.1’s Super Jam headliner Yo Gotti before his performance Saturday night @ Scottrade Center

Singers Bando Jonez and Tinashe with Hot 104.1 FM’s Princess Stormm Saturday night @ Super Jam 2014 @ Scottrade Center

Kira and Anthony enjoy their last chance to kick it at Lola Sunday evening

Carri Griffin with Model Shantel Jackson, the latest cover girl for DELUX Magazine, Friday night for the Magazine’s release party @ The Marquee

She’s been making a splash on the national hip-hop scene, but Tiffany Foxx returned home to celebrate the release of her ‘King Foxx’ mixtape Friday @ Soho with Damion and Tricky

Eddie Levert was blessed with some belated birthday love from Majic 100.3’s Tammie Holland on the morning of the O’Jays concert @ Majic studios Friday morning

Rapper Ty Dollar Sign met with lucky fan DaJuan during Hot 104.1’s Super Jam Saturday night @ Scottrade Center

Sydnee was one of the lucky few to get up close and personal with rising heartthrob August Alsina Saturday night @ Hot 104.1’s Super Jam 2014 @ Scottrade Center

Celebrity Swagger Snap of the Week

Reality star and R&B Starlet K. Michelle was eager to rep for her sorority Delta Sigma Theta with Khalia Grant Saturday night at Scottrade Center for Hot 104.1 FM’s Super Jam 2014. K. Michelle joined August Alsina, Juicy J, Yo Gotti and more for the annual summer concert.

WWW.STLAMERICAN.COMPhotos by Lawrence Bryant

Chaka’s voice was ‘through the fire.’ I know folks aren’t going to like what I have to say about Chaka Khan’s show Friday night at the Fox Theatre – especially her two biggest fans, Arika Parr and her blonde bombshell of a mama. But sometimes the truth hurts – but not as badly as the way Chaka kicked off her long-awaited St. Louis return. Folks were infuriated that she opened for the O’Jays, but they would have been even madder after seeing Eddie, Walter and that other one put their ankles into their set only for Chaka to follow up with that piece of show she served. I’ve decided that she was sick – because I had never seen her deliver anything less than a flawless performance. If she could have sounded as good as she looked, we would have had the best show of her career! But when she opened her mouth and mumble-sang, I thought she was singing or living “Drunk in Love” instead of “I Feel For You.” Honestly Eddie Levert’s menthol cigarette and Wild Turkey drenched voice gave me more than Chaka at certain points. If it weren’t for the O’Jays I would have spent the evening sorely disappointed.

Check yourself. I’ve already infuriated some folks by going in on Chaka, so what’s one or two more? I really shouldn’t have to do this – especially since I have lots to cover and already don’t have enough space for everything. But there are people who insist on name dropping the American to get press access knowing full well they haven’t been associated with the paper since the Beijing Olympics. And by people, I mean Erica Brooks (most recently at the Chaka show). I’m not blasting simply for the sake of shade. It impedes the process of getting the job done – and not to mention jeopardizes our credibility. I’m not knocking your grind – By all means, keep taking pictures….just leave the American out of it. There are no hard feelings and we wish you no ill will. And this is not just for her; I’ve reached out to several venues and promoters to try and make sure ANYBODY who tries it will be shown the door.

Sorry Ms. Jackson. Floyd Mayweather must have put roots on his former boo for almost costing him that last fight. And even if he didn’t he would be thrilled to know that she was the first alleged celebrity to not bring in a big crowd on a Friday night at the Marquee. Too bad Nelly doesn’t claim her, because she could have used some of his star power. Maybe then she would have filled up a whole VIP booth. She seemed nice enough, but I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – to thrive in the club host business you need more than a pretty face and a cute shape. You have to have at least done something to build your brand besides being snuggled up with a star.

King Foxx celebrates at Soho. And since I’m on the subject of bombshells, I might as well mention that my girl Tiffany Foxx held a release party for her latest mixtape “King Foxx” Friday night at Soho. It wasn’t an embarrassment by any means, with respect to the size of the crowd, but I’m used to her packing the place all the way out. I just decided that the masses were saving their energy for Super Jam – and I was absolutely right.

Super Jam stayed winning. I want to give a major shout out – super if you will – to the folks over at Hot 104.1 for the win that was Super Jam 2014 Saturday at The Scottrade Center. Can you keep a secret? I was a nervous wreck about what would come of the Super Jam extreme makeover after Kendrick Lamar quietly floated off of the roster as headliner. New place, new time, no headliner…I was sweating bullets, but I should have known better! And Saturday was no different. Juicy J, August Alsina, K. Michelle handled their business and Yo Gotti shut it all the way down. I was also thrilled with how the crowd showed so much love during the STL Mixtape portion –especially Laudie and Murphy Lee. And even though you can tell he has an attitude problem, and looks like a ratchet member of the Muppets – that Bando Jonez really had me tuning in to his little snippet. I’d need the whole Partyline to give full rundowns and read K. Michelle’s strobe light cat suit in the manner it deserves, but just know that I was pleasantly surprised by the whole get-up this year and all the performers except YG and Cash Out. The only losses I saw were the epic fashion failures that actually put K. Michelle to shame – especially the robust bodied young lady who decided she would intentionally wear her skirt so short that her underwear would show. Girl, why did you even bother with attempting to be conservative with your streetwalker swag? Other than all those dirty looks I gave the girls, Super Jam was great look for Hot. I also want to give a shout out to James Perry - a.k.a. the Super Jam Whisperer – for handling the pressure of his first Super Jam and staying cool as a cucumber – Weezy Jefferson voice aside. And SLIM, Phil and the Coliseum team topped things off with an EPIC after party – and ALL of the biggest names on the bill showed up and showed out!

Black Music History and Café Soul collide. Café Soul will be back at the Rustic Goat on Saturday just in time to close out Black History Month with the biggest of bangs! Theresa Payne will be headlining the show – and a whole host of St. Louis’ finest will bless the mic. If it’s anything like last month, that microphone is going to spontaneously combust after the show closes, because ever since they re-launched, Café Soul has been bringing that fire with the talent and Deevine Soundz has been slaying on the tables. The show starts at 9 p.m.

Lola’s last hoorah. Even though I missed the last chicken and waffle meal, I still managed to get my last taste of Lola as the folks packed in like they should’ve been doing all along last weekend. From Friday to Sunday, you couldn’t catch a seat as the city’s young black and fabulous joined forces with the grown and sexy crowd to make the final memories for the nightlife spot.