We Like Cats With Big Names

The Zune Presents Live at the BBQ concert this past Sunday was amazing. The second in a series of three concert events, Live at the BBQ acted as Zune's (Microsoft's answer to the iPod) open love letter to the hip-hop artists and lovers who embraced the Zune brand. Hoping to evoke the park parties of way back, Zune created the outdoor concert from the ground up, working closely with a phenomenal line of hip-hop artists. After printing out their tickets (tickets were distributed via email), audience members clamored outside of Union Park. Zune offered guests amazing barbecue from the local Robinson's chain, drinks and a tent where they could check out their MP3 player and the Xbox 360. Small groups over gas grills that held large flat screen monitors and the Xbox console. Pick up games of basketball, tetherball, checkers and dominoes could be found around the park. All of these extras were just icing on the cake. DJs Vaughan Woods and Timbuktu played their own sets as well as spinning between sets. Chicago's own Qualo performed along with Bilal and Little Brother. But the surprise of the evening was Talib Kweli, who wasn't slated to perform, and the first performance since 2001 of BLACK STAR! Mos Def and Talib Kweli kept fans wishing for a reunion happy by performing together and rocking their own individual sets. - Anthonia Akitunde