Chuck Brown, Rich Boy and Lyfe coming

Get ready to see rap, neo-soul and go-go shows here in coming weeks.
Rapper Rich Boy (“Throw Some D’s) is performing at NV lounge on May 19. Tickets start at $20. www.nvlounge.net.
Soul singer Lyfe Jennings kicks off the Sol Kitchen’s Black Music Month series at Amos’ Southend on June 2. On June 16, go-go great Chuck Brown will perform at Amos’ as part of the series. Brown’s performances during the CIAA tournament are always one of the most popular parties. www.amossouthend.com.
This month, the Sol Kitchen is teaming with Creative Loafing to launch Pop Life. It’s a weekly Wednesday party at Prevue (formerly Gilda’s) in NoDa. Kitch and Creative Loafing editor Carlton Hargro are trying to bring Miami’s Winter Music Conference vibe to Charlotte.
The party features a DJ spinning soul, funk, afro-beat, acid jazz, house and more. It’s 6 p.m. every Wednesday May 16 through Aug. 29. Hit up Carlton.hargro@creativeloafing.com for info.

Ray Lewis and other celebs at Loft

Loft 1523 is becoming the place to rub elbows with celebrities.
In the last month, they’ve had cast members from the movie “Leatherheads,” and Baltimore Raven Ray Lewis.
On April 21, nearly all of the cast members from “Leatherheads,” except George Clooney and Rene Zellweger, hung out at Loft in Elizabeth.

Then, last Thursday, about 50-75 people (mostly women) attended Ray Lewis’ private party at Loft 1523. According to people who attended the party, Lewis was relatively approachable, especially for women.
Lewis threw the party to promote his new barbershop Kutt 52, which is in Eastridge Mall in Gastonia. Yeah, I’m also wondering why Lewis would open a barbershop in Gastonia.

Lewis' personal trainer used to live in Charlotte so Lewis knows people here. Along with the barbershop, he also owns a trucking company here. He plans to open other shops. I hope they’re not all in Gastonia. If he’s going to attach his name to a project, it would make sense to find a location in an area that has good buzz. I’m not hearing a lot of buzz out of Eastridge.