Funkmaster Flex Crunks It Up With Celebrity Cars, Beats

By Trina Logan

Put classic �60s- and �70s-style Impalas, blazing 2003 BMW 745's, 24- to 32-inch rims and artists from the Dirty South school in one arena, and you have "The Funkmaster Flex Celebrity Car Show," which made a stop in Greensboro, N.C.

Photo credit: Sharonda Eggleton Ludacris�s 1971 Oldsmobile Cutlass was among the cars at the Funkmaster Flex Celebrity Car Show in Greensboro, N.C.

Hip-hop DJ and TV personality Funkmaster Flex showcased celebrity cars from his brand-new show "Ride with Funkmaster Flex" on Spike TV. Funkmaster Flex presented cars from the hottest entertainers in hip-hop.

"I do a radio show at Hot 97 [in New York] and from there, I have established relationships with everybody. They like cars and I like cars, so we made it happen," said Funkmaster Flex.

Fans had the chance to view celebrity cars from rap artist Ludacris, DMX, Big Boi from Outkast and Lil� Kim. But the true attention-grabbers were rap artist Nelly's Carolina blue Cadillac Escalade with matching rims and monogrammed leather seats, and a favorite of Funkmaster Flex: 50 Cent's classic 1967 Impala.

"I like 50 Cent's Impala because I have always liked Impalas when I was younger," said Funkmaster Flex.

One of the major highlights of the Sept. 20 show was the detailing performance of Team Bartwell, Flex�s celebrity car club that did the job in just 20 minutes. Seven club members buffed and waxed the cars so well that you could brush your teeth from the door�s reflection.

At 5 p.m., audiences took their attention off cars and headed straight for the stage. Mississippi rap artist David Banner kept the crowd �crunk� by climbing on top of speakers, vans and people! During "Cadillac on 22's", Banner grabbed kids from the audience and made them a part of the show. "Might Get Cha" featuring Lil Jon and "Like A Pimp" featuring Lil� Flip gave Banner the urge to jump off the stage and "bounce" with the crowd.

Every fan screamed Banner's name when he announced that he would not leave until he signed everyone's autograph.

After Banner performed, the DJs announced that St. Louis rap artist Chingy was about to hit the stage. In seconds, a stampede of stiletto heels ran straight to the stage. Chingy tried to keep the crowd going with his latest singles "Right Thurr" and "Holidae Inn," featuring Snoop Dogg and Ludacris. But the audio kept cutting off during his performance.

Chingy fans actually got a double dose of the Disturbing Tha Peace rap star. He left the stage for about 30 minutes, and vowed to return only when the sound was fixed.

When he did, he performed two more songs and a brief intermission that shocked the crowd. He told the audience that rap artist 50 Cent had jacked one of his beats, so he was going to jack one of his. Chingy proceed to dis� 50 Cent on his own track and told the audience to tell 50 Cent he did it.

After the concert, the audience patiently waited for the announcement of the winner. Greensboro native Kamel Terrell brought home the trophy with his 1962 vintage Cadillac.

Trina Logan is a student at North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, N.C., who writes for The A&T Register.

Posted Sept. 29, 2003