Lady Ace Boogie & Friends at Meijer Gardens
Winter Nights ‘Hip and Hops Block Party’ Showcases Black Culture and Community with Lady Ace Boogie & Friends
Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park hosted a multi-zone concert experience celebrating hip-hop culture, local artistry and community during its Winter Nights “Hip and Hops” Block Party in recognition of Black History Month on Tuesday, Feb. 3.
The event highlighted West Michigan’s growing music scene by giving local artists a platform to perform and connect with audiences, and showcase hip hop’s cultural impact through music, storytelling and dance across multiple performance spaces within the venue. One of the most talked-about moments of the night came when Sonny Ski debuted “Mind Music III” live for the first time. He followed the debut with a performance of “Grand Rapids, MI” alongside Gwopped Up Speedy and guest performer Tyrell J. The performance energized the crowd and reinforced the song’s growing reputation as a local anthem celebrating city pride and the strength of the Grand Rapids hip-hop community.
The event also featured several high-energy performances that kept the crowd engaged throughout the evening. Steven Malcolm delivered an electric set highlighted by his performance of “Cardio,” which relied heavily on movement and audience interaction. He later brought Ajax Stacks on stage to perform their collaboration “Gold Gym,” where their strong chemistry and coordinated stage presence stood out as a highlight of the night. Ajax Stacks later transitioned into his solo performance of “Block Games,” demonstrating his lyrical delivery and ability to command the stage independently.
Tyrell J continued building momentum during his solo set by performing “All in My Business” while simultaneously showcasing his vocal versatility through a brief acoustic sample of John Legend’s “All of Me.” Tyrell J has recently gained online traction through a viral video series in which he attempts to capture the attention of rapper T-Pain due to their noticeable vocal and physical similarities. The series has reached 32 days and has helped expand his digital following while generating increased local interest in his career.
Lady Ace Boogie brought a motivational and uplifting tone to the event through a performance focused on empowerment and confidence. Her stage presence and lyrical themes encouraged audience participation while reinforcing hip hop’s connection to self-expression, self-love and resilience. Lady Ace reflected on the event’s ability to elevate the hip-hop community, “to be able to bring so many people into one space for hip hop was just incredible. … It was a beautiful night. This is one of the ways to continue to see that hip-hop is celebrated in these kinds of spaces.”
Raydale Shamaine closed the musical portion of the event with a performance of “Black Love,” delivering one of the night’s strongest moments of unity and connection. His set centered on themes of togetherness, and appreciation for Black identity. The performance highlighted how hip-hop continues to serve as a space for community healing. Shamaine concluded his set by leading a prayer and thanking the audience, reinforcing the collective spirit and sense of shared celebration that defined the evening.
The celebration concluded with a choreographed performance by Visionz Dance. The group later guided attendees into the conservatory, where the event transitioned into a dance party that allowed guests to continue celebrating through music and movement. – By Brayden Flodin
PHOTO GALLERY: Lady Ace Boogie & Friends at Meijer Gardens
Photos by Brayden Flodin
