The next day, Pharrell and Timbaland showed off their up-and-comers at a Star Trak/Beat Club showcase, where the Clipse played their new street hit, "Pu---" and performed alongside Rosco P. Coldchain and new Star Trak artist Fam-Lay. Mobb Deep was in attendance to watch Kelis shake her "Milkshake" and perform her single of the same name.

That night at the Industry club located in NE Atlanta, Green Lantern helped get the crowd moving for the Shady Records showcase, which officially began with the words "Obie Trice: real name, no gimmicks." The newcomer gave an energy-filled show, toasting Cheers with the crowd as he downed at least half a bottle of cognac.

DJ Whoo Kid came out with Sinatra's signature "New York, New York" as an intro before 50 Cent emerged to rock the Rico a second time. 50, along with Lloyd Banks and Young Buck, got everyone in the crowd shaking with "In Da Club," the obvious crowd favorite. The ladies in the audience proved a hot body and a smile while staring wide-eyed at 50's muscles as he asked them all 21 Questions."

The final afternoon of the conference found the Ruff Ryders' Asian sensation Jin on the same stage as classic hip-hop duo Gang Starr. Later, a Shady clothing line fashion show employed Green Lantern's DJ skills and occupied Obie Trice, who spent more time checking out the cocktail waitresses than the runway designs. It was soon time for the culmination of the entire event, which was an awards show put on by Universal Music. As DJs picked up awards, artists like Da Band, Raekwon, and D-Block's Styles, Sheek, Jadakiss and Jae Hood provided entertainment. Classic DJ favorites like Raekwon's "Incarcerated Scarfaces" and Sheek Louch's current "2 Guns Up" got the crowd on its feet.

The finale was in Atlanta at club 112, where new artists such as Cassidy and Shells who both are signed to J Records, and an up and coming artist From Ft Lauderdale Florida named Coppa on Tower records won crowd reactions that most veterans could only hope for as they impressed even the hip-hop jaded.

Rah Digga showcased her new music, but the crowd really got open when her Flipmode family joined her onstage. Busta busted out a long line of hits, including "Give It to Me Raw," which sent the crowd into a frenzy. Keeping the night going, Alicia Keys took the stage with a full band for such hits as "A Woman's Worth" and "Fallin'." The crowd really went wild when she played the opening bars of Nas' "N.Y. State of Mind" and out came Nas to do the verse for their track together "Streets of N.Y."                                                                                                                            

Entertainment section of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution