Since 2002, Complex Magazine and its internet media empire has provided the day's biggest pop, urban and alternative culture news stories to millions of trendy millenials across the world. Now, the media giant will launch its first ever two-day music festival and lifestyle convention known as ComplexCon—which is boasting itself as “our generation’s Worlds Fair.” Here are 10 things we think are worth checking out at the inaugural ComplexCon in Long Beach this weeknd.
Kid Cudi's First Performance Post Rehab
On October 4th, Kid Cudi wrote an open letter to his fans on Facebook revealing his struggle battling depression, suicidal urges and his descision to check himself into rehab. The entire letter can be read here. Towards the end of the revelation Mescudi says, “If all goes well ill be out in time for Complexcon [sic] and ill [sic] be lookin [sic] forward to seeing you all there for high fives and hugs.”Cudi's official Facebook page confirmed 3 weeks ago that Cudi's scheduled performance at ComplexCon will still go on, making it the rapper's first official return to music since checking into rehab and revealing his personal struggle with depression. Emotions will definitely run high on November 5th as many die-hard Cudi fans will be in attendance at ComplexCon to show support to the beloved rapper.
Surprise Performance
There's a special surprise guest slated for Saturday's musical line-up and after last week's twitter beef between Kid Cudi and Drake, yours truly is wondering if some Jerry Springer type shit will break out at ComplexCon if Drake turns out to be the surpise performer.
The rap beef started when Cudi took to Twitter to rant about his industry haters which he named as “Ye, Drake, whoever…” Drake responded with a few jabs at Cudi's mental health on his new track “Two Birds, One Stone”, where the Toronto rapper says:
“My numbers are out of the world, no wonder they got me feeling so alienated/You were the man on the moon, now you go through your phases/Life for the angry and famous/Rap like I know I’m the greatest/Then give you the tropical flavors/Still never been on hiatus/ You stay xanned up and perced up.”
Many debated online if Drake went too far with his highly personal diss. Cudi responded with, “Say it to [my] face pussy. You think it's a game. I wanna see you say it to my face. I'll be out soon. Promise.”
Given that Cudi's first performance post rehab is at ComplexCon this weekend and the surprise guest slot on Saturday has yet to be announced, can we play consipracy theroist and say it might be Drake? Or perhaps Kanye West will be added back to the lineup?
Snoop Dogg's First Grand-Scale Performance in Long Beach, No, Seriously
According to a Long Beach Post interview with Long Beach locals who knew Snoop back in the day, one of Snoop's last hometown performances was “at a place called ‘ToeJams,’ which is where the Roscoe’s is now on Broadway.” Speculation of Snoop's long-time musical abscense from the LBC include clashes with Long Beach city officials in the 90s who associated Snoop Dogg with gangsta rap violence. Snoop's trial in 1993 for having a connection to the death of Phillip Woldermarian—a Long Beach gang member shot and killed by Snoop's bodyguard at the time, McKinley Lee—also didn't help city officals take kindly to hosting any Snoop Dogg concerts in the city. Snoop was later acquitted of murder charges and has since become a community leader throughout Southern California—he even held a peace rally alongside the LAPD earlier this year.
Food!!!
Complex's “First We Feast” food blog will come to life as they curate a menu filled with some of Cali's tastiest gourmet food trucks. Think of OC Weekly's seasonal food events but not as drunken or wild.
Nike Paradise
For all of the swish logo obsessed, make sure to immerse yourself in all things Nike at the brand's whopping 7,500 square feet of experiential activation—or in non-marketing terms, booths with activities!
Fashion And Lifestyle Booths
The same production company behind the Agenda Trade Show is supporting ComplexCon with an added team of curators including Complex staff, legendary artist Takashi Murakami, Pharrell Williams and Skrillex. Over a hundred pop-up shops from high-profile sreetwear brands and retailers such as A Bathing Ape aka BAPE, AWGE by A$AP Rocky, Billionaire Boy's Club, RSVP Gallery, Puma, Jason Markk, Undefeated, Bodega, UNION LA, BAIT, Modernica and more will sell their latest and most exclusive theads. The fashion portion of ComplexCon is sure to be the convention sized equivalent of a Supreme collection launch sans the long lines, camp out tents and fashionista desmadre.
Get Artsy
If clothes and shoes aren't your thing, get lost in the works of contemporary artists instead. LA artist, Patrick Martinez, known for his thought-provoking colorful paintings and neon installations, will be in the house. Ron English will also bring his famous #Popaganda to life by showcasing his signature mash-up of cultural touchstones flipped to make subversive statements on different social issues.
Celebrity Panels
Each day will feature more than 7 intimate keynote speeches, fireside chats and panels from modern day influencers such as A$AP Rocky, artist and architect Daniel Arsham (of Snarkitecture), designer, Jon Buscemi, DJ Mustard, Jesse Williams, Steve Aoki, Action Bronson and other top names in music, fashion, art, film and tech.
Complex's First Music Festival
If Snoop's first legit hometown performance or Kid Cudi's return to rap post rehab isn't enough to excite you then consider performances by Soundcloud heavyweights and Top-40 heavy Hitters such as Travis Scott, Little Yachty and The Sailing Team, Chief Keef, Metro Boomin, 2 Chainz, Migos, Virgil Abloh, LOLAWOLF with Zöe Kravitz, Spark Master Tape, MadeinTYO, Tunji Ige, DJ Sliink, THEY.,Cousin Stizz, Khalid, Smino, Jubilee, Chase B, Johan, Ta'East and more.
Hot Peoples
If I've learned anything from covering social media-centric lifestyle conventions, it's that it brings out the hottest— and possibly the most vain— guys and gals with the strongest internet prescence around. Take in the eye-candy but don't even try to double tap!
Tickets to access the two-day expereience taking place at the Long Beach Convention Center November 5th and 6th are for purchase exclusively at ComplexCon.com
