Courtesy Photo | A fan snaps a picture as Paul Wall displays his signature platinum and diamond grill...... read more read more
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By Spc. Laura M. Bigenho
28th Public Affairs Detachment
Aside from the sights and sounds of Blackhawks passing overhead, the atmosphere outside Camp Liberty's Morale, Welfare and Recreation Center resembled a typical concert venue Feb. 23.
Actor and comedian Jamie Kennedy and rapper Paul Wall entertained troops as part of "Jamie Kennedy's Hip-Hip Comedy Tour," made possible by USO and Armed Forces Entertainment. Comedian Bill Dawes, rapper and comedian Stu Stone, DJ Joey Nicks and break-dancer Casper joined them onstage for an evening of comedy, music and dancing.
Kennedy, 36, is known for his role as Randy Meeks in the "Scream" horror trilogy (1996-2000), hit TV shows, "The Jamie Kennedy Experiment" (2002-2004), "Malibu's Most Wanted" (2003) and "Blowin' Up" (2006).
Wall, 26, has performed with rap artists Mike Jones, Nelly, Kanye West and others. His first album, "The Peoples Champ" (2005) went platinum and had several hit singles including "Sittin' Sidewayz," "They Don't Know" and "Girl." His sophomore album, "Get Money, Stay True," is due out April 3.
Wall, a renowned jeweler, is also infamous for his pricey platinum, gold and diamond-studded "grillz." This mouth jewelry is custom-made to fit over teeth, and is usually made with precious metals and stones.
DJ Joey Nicks opened the show by spinning old-school hip-hop as the audience enthusiastically responded to his tease, "Y'all ready? I want to hear you make some noise!" An energized crowd cheered loudly for 15 minutes before the first act took stage.
Dawes grabbed the audience's attention by thanking troops for their service.
"It's because of you and what you do for this country that we can do this stuff in the States," he said. Moments later, Dawes transformed into his comical self when he became silent as two Blackhawks flew by and asked, "Are those ours? Please say yes."
Kennedy's long list of jokes included a testimony of his first experience eating a "Hoo-ah" energy bar, a love song about his ex-girlfriend's oddly shaped body feature, a rap about his idol Bob Saget and the fear he felt when a flight attendant made an announcement in Japanese.
"There is nothing scarier than turbulence in another language," Kennedy said. "I thought, 'Oh (no), this guy thinks Godzilla is in the cockpit.'"
Wall opened his portion of the show with hit "March 'N Step." Accompanied by the rest of the crew, he invited several troops on stage to dance and sing with them. Kennedy asked for Wall's biggest fan to come forward and invited him to sing a duet with the rapper. Spc. Javier Orona, 410th Military Police Company, came forward but did not know all the lyrics to Wall's song. At that point, the performers asked the 25-year-old Brooklyn native if he could "freestyle," and he concurred.
Orona said it was a dream come true being able to freestyle alongside Wall.
"At first I felt a little jittery, but after I got into my groove, I was good," he said. "It was perfect!"
The evening also included a break-dance performance by Casper, dozens of Kennedy's DVDs being tossed to the audience and an "after party" inside the MWR where the crew autographed posters and posed for photos with fans.
Kennedy and Wall agreed the tour here was phenomenal and had plenty to say to the troops.
"Being here has already given me a different perspective of what you're doing here," Kennedy said. "The news back home mostly reports bad things and sensationalizes so much that it makes others scared to come here."
Growing up with a grandfather who was a lieutenant colonel in the Army and having friends who were killed in Iraq, Wall said the military has been a strong influence in his life.
"I grew up with a profound respect for everybody in the military, especially those serving in war zones," Wall said.
Kennedy promised to tell other celebrities they should come to Iraq.
"Get home safe and know that I'm going to tell everybody I can to come here to entertain you and keep you smiling," he said.
"It was an honor for (us) to come here," Wall said. "We're here to thank the troops because they let us do what we do back in the States by keeping us free."
| Date Taken: | 02.26.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 02.26.2007 01:07 |
| Story ID: | 9234 |
| Location: |
| Web Views: | 342 |
| Downloads: | 201 |
This work, Jamie Kennedy, Paul Wall shine at Liberty, by SPC Laura Bigenho, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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