It Was A Vibe

Hundreds came out to Hillhouse’s Floyd Little Athletic Center Thursday night to enjoy a free concert hosted by the New Haven Youth Services Department, featuring R&B singers Sammie, the homegrown Avery Wilson and Hip Hop star PnB Rock.

From the start the space was filled with that summertime block party energy. as children of all ages partied with the ​“grown folk” to music that seemed to bridge the generations.

The best way to describe the experience would be the phrase: ​“It was a vibe!”

I arrived as Sammie, whose father has New Haven roots, had the ladies and young women swooning to his 2017 release ​“Tsunami.” He then took myself and my fellow 30-somethings back to our adolescent and teenage years with his timeless hits ​“I Like” and ​“Come With Me.”

At one point I’m sure I heard a chorus of 30-somethings remarking, ​“You don’t know nothing about this!” to their younger counterparts.

City youth worker Ronnie Huggins emceed the intermissions as the various artist took time to set up their performances. The man was like a conductor at the symphony, guiding each side of the room into harmony as he orchestrated the ​“Turn Up,” keeping the crowd hot between acts.

As Huggins released the first syllable in Avery Wilson’s name, the crowd anxiously chanted: ​“A‑Ver‑y, A‑Ver‑y.” As the echoing chants reach their peak, Hamden’s Avery Wilson (who attended New Havens Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School) hit the stage with his 2019 release ​“ATM.” His shirtless performance had mommas cover their children’s eyes as they enjoyed their ocular buffet.

While I was in what from this point on will be known as ​“The Vibe,” I spotted a few hometown heroes/celebrities in the mix. Hip Hop artist Bugatti203, I.B. Trizzy, and duo Black Scrilla took a night off from recording, promoting, and performing to be fans and enjoy the city as well as ​“The Vibe.”

“It’s great to see the city and community come together for this free event, with all of the challenges it’s been facing,” remarked Young Bullie of the hip hop duo Black Scrilla.

Moments after speaking with Young Bullie, Ronnie Huggins returned to the stage. He asked that everyone embrace the person to their left and their right by placing their arms around each other’s shoulders… and led the room in the LARGEST ​“Swag Surf” seen in New Haven (to my knowledge).

PnB Rock blessed the stage at 8:45 p.m., and the sound of the crowd seemed to be boxing with the sound system. He matched the crowd’s energy with hit after hit in rapid succession. Crowd favorites were ​“3x” ​“There She Go” and the cult classics ​“I Found You” and ​“Selfish” (in video).

As the evening came to an end, I found myself slightly relating to the title of PnB’s song ​“I Need More.” The city came out and enjoyed itself in a way that was desperately needed. The best way I can describe is: It was a Vibe!