CHAPPELLE SHOW !!!

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I won’t lie, one of the first things I do in the morning is check my phone. While it isn’t the best thing to do when you first wake up, the morning of July 26th, 2023 I checked my email and this lead to one of the most memorable experiences of my life.

I got an email from Ticketmaster:

I knew this was something I couldn't miss.

I rushed out the door to go to work, and may I just say- it is INCREDIBLY difficult to gain access to a pre-sale while you’re on the subway. I lost count of how many times I had to keep signing in and verifying my account. Luckily, a friend of mine was able to get access, and success!!- we had tickets for the August 23rd show! They even had to add another 2 shows that week due to high demand.

Arriving at the show at around 7pm, we weren’t allowed to have our phones, so we had to lock them in a pouch. There was a DJ playing the best hip-hop songs from the 80s, 90s, and 2000’s, so the crowd was already hype, and the vibe was ELECTRIC. Jeff Ross was hosting the show, and of course, ROASTING everyone, including himself. Both the DJ and Jeff were hyping up the show so much because not only was it recently Hip-Hop’s 50th birthday, it was also DAVE’S 50TH BIRTHDAY at midnight!! Aside from being super excited to see Dave, we had no idea what was in store for us that night.

The opening acts included Jon Stuart, Luenell, Earthquake, and CHRIS ROCK- who received a standing ovation as soon as he was announced, and quickly said “YOU GUYS NEED TO LOWER YOUR EXPECTATIONS, THIS IS NOT MY SHOW!!” The slap was definitely a topic of discussion, as well as his divorce, how he recommends his ex-wife's divorce attorney, dating, and his plans to (NEVER) re-marry. Needless to say, he got another standing ovation when he finished, and then Dave was announced.

Dave opened his act recounting a memory of him looking at a TIME magazine cover of Bill Cosby when he was a kid that read: “Bill Cosby: Funny, Famous, Fifty- and REALLY RICH!”, and proceeded to say: "Now I look at myself, and I too, am Funny, Famous, FIFTY, and FILTHY RICH!!” and that earned him a HUGE applause. He then proceeded with his infamous raw, insensitive, stereotypical material, which, if you know Dave, you knew what you were in for. He spoke of Detroit being Canada's version of Tijuana, running into his Indian friend from 20+ years ago who STILL smells like food (and invited him over for dinner again), and a ton of other hilarious things. I used to watch Chappelle Show all the time on Comedy Central when I was younger, so I loved it and was grateful to be there, especially to celebrate his 50th birthday at MSG. photo source

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After Dave’s set was done, the show was far from over! In addition to the DJ and the opening acts, there were performances throughout the night by Da Baby, The Roots, Ludacris, NAS, and De La Soul!! I was expecting the show to start around 9 after the opening acts, and end by 11ish. We were at MSG from 7pm partying until 1 in the morning!!

Minutes before midnight, all of Dave’s friends, artists, and comedians brought out this HUGE birthday cake for him, and we all started to countdown from 10. At midnight everyone sang Happy Birthday to Dave, he was drunk, high AF and still smoking lol, and he gave a quick speech about how thankful and grateful he was to be celebrating his 50th birthday at MSG. His thank you speech was very humbling and inspiring to listen to. Then to top the night off before everyone left, we all started singing karaoke with him. The songs varied in genres and the last song he sang was Creep by Radiohead, which is one of his favorite songs!! Hearing him slur the lyrics was so funny and admirable to see at the same time. This was truly an unforgettable show. I hope when I'm fifty, I'm funnier, flirtier, even more fabulous and filthy rich too!