Smokin' Grooves Festival at The Queen Mary with Headliners Miguel, The Roots and Erykah Badu

Photo Credit: Joseph Baura

The Smokin’ Grooves Fest 2018 was held in Long Beach, California on the waterfront side of The Queen Mary and was the perfect way to spend a summer weekend. This music fest had everyone in chill mode, while they grooved to many talented performers.

A two-day event, with a total of three different stages for fans to enjoy, Smokin’ Grooves is an event that has certainly held up to its name. Most of the performing acts contained a type of groovy soulful sound, with of course a little Hip- Hop and R&B, and some with that soul/electronic sound that has become more and more popular.

Smokin Stage, Groovin’ Stage, and Free Your Mind Stage. These each held big talented names such as Erykah Badu, Miguel and The Roots, with many more performers like Alina Baraz, H.E.R., Jordan Rakei, THEY, and Sinead Harnett and many more.

Photo Credit: Natalie Somekh

Photo Credit: Natalie Somekh

We were really surprised and excited like everyone else to have seen that The Roots brought on Busta Rhymes as a special guest, especially because I grew up listening to Busta for motivation during my College years. The Smokin’ Grooves crowd were lucky enough to experience yet another surprise guest, Khalid! Yes, we said Khalid! As if Alina Baraz wasn’t already putting on an awesome performance. Picture it, neon lights and pole dancers on stage along with her electric sound and amazing voice, and a view of The Queen Mary’s Observation Wheel all lit up in the background; this was an amazing Experience, but the second she brought Khalid out to the stage the whole crowd went wild.

The Smokin Grooves’ is definitely one for the books, for all those who attended it was a great time all around. After learning that this was a comeback for Smokin’ Grooves, I have to say that I’m glad it did and hope it’s here to stay!

Photo Credit: Christina Garcia