Rihanna's new video for "Work" featuring Drake has put me in a nostalgic realm. The first version directed by Director X created a single throwback moment of bashment backyard parties in Brooklyn.
It was a necessary staple within my culture, from my family throwing one almost every summer to gathering your friends to hit Flatbush in the evening. The booming base from the speakers and the cameras from Flex'n'Brooklyn swarming through the crowds became seemingly obsolete, but I'm still waiting for a text about one being thrown over the summer. As I patiently wait, here are ten things I miss about backyard bashment parties.
1. The anticipation of waiting to pay outside of the gate.
Nothing starts off your night more than waiting at the gate to be checked by security and pay your $5. As you're waiting, there was always that one friend who needed to run back and go to the ATM even though they knew the party was $5 in the first place. So, you and your friends had to pay for them to get in. Slowly catching an attitude, you realize the hold up is because the people on the block refuse to pay the price because they live across the street. Luckily, it only took five minutes on average. While you wait, you're dancing to the songs playing outside.
2. The "security guard" hired was a big man from the block or family of the person throwing the party.
It wasn't necessarily an intimidating thing, but he wasn't someone you play around with. In most cases, security guards didn't do a thorough pat down. They were to likely lightly patted you down or moved the detector around your body swiftly. Come to think of it, that's probably why some parties ended up with guns bussing in the air.
3. The ego boosting walk from the gate to the actual party.
It's the moment we've all been waiting for. All of your friends have been checked in and marked and the music became louder. The adrenaline was rushing while some people chilling outside of the party watched you walk through. Once you've checked the scene and the crowd becomes visible, you knew it was going to be lit.
4. The group of old heads casually playing dominoes in the corner of the party.
Sometimes, backyard parties aren't planned. It was family members of the household just kicking it, but word always gets around if someone hears the sweet sounds of Beres and Sanchez within a two block radius. A group of men in the corner never seized their game of dominoes, though, no matter how packed the party became.
5. The DJ's preparation speech before he plays a big tune.
The best part of the night was the Vybz Kartel marathon. It became a staple in parties for the DJ to stop the music to make a speech. It felt like a parent talking to their child, as the DJ would calmly tell everyone to get their lives together before he starts playing the tunes. The DJ or hype man was yelling in the background throughout the party, but ironically, he spoke calmly when he knew he was going to drop some heat on us.
7. That one guy you was eye'ing the whole party finally decided to accept your slow wine.
So, "Turn Up di Fuck" starts playing and now what? You start bussing a sweet wine before the beat drops, that's what. That guy you was watching the whole time was watching you, too. He just decides to creep up on you so he can enjoy that wine you were giving against the wall.
8. That one girl that made room to go on her head top.
With backyard bashment parties came shotta dancers. It was something you loved to watch during the beginning of the party. It was another thing when a girl made way to dance on her head to in the middle of a crowded party because "Bicycle" came on. Some people had mixed emotions about that, I thought it was rather amazing. I'm possibly being biased because those were some of my friends, too.
9. Finding a backyard bashment with food was the equivalence to a pink Starburst in the pack.
It was rare that such parties came with food, mostly because you got there too late and the food was already gone. People usually came in intoxicated, so food came in handy. To those who had leftover jerk chicken with mac-and-cheese for the public, I salute you.
10. The final touch of red and blue cop lights flashing because the party was in the midst of getting shut down.
Nothing beats a good ol' backyard party than a neighbor calling the cops to shut the party down. However, the cops were usually roaming the block and wanted to shut it down themselves. Parties were usually done for the most part, but it was extremely annoying if it was shut down five minutes after you've arrived. A terrible waste of $5 that could've went to some Popeyes.
