FLINT, Michigan — The fourth annual Beats x Beers Memorial Day Weekend is happening in downtown Flint and will feature three days of food, music, and fun, along with an appearance from Grammy Award-winning DJ and music producer, DJ Drama. Sponsors for the weekend celebration include the Community Foundation of Greater Flint, Gift of Life Michigan, LightSky Farms, and Hurley Medical Center.
"Seeing the city come alive for these different events is a different feeling," said Brandon Corder, founder of lifestyle brand
Beats x Beers.
With the goal of elevating this year's Beats x Beers Memorial Day Weekend, Corder decided to implement some new changes that he's sure party-goers are going to enjoy.
"We’re featuring some new things this year," said Corder. "We’re kicking the weekend off at the Hilton downtown and this is the first event of its kind that’s been allowed on the property. We also have made a partnership with the hotel to provide discounted rooms for people that are traveling or people that just want to stay downtown for the weekend. We’ve moved from Brush Park to the Flat Lot for Beats x BBQ, and this is also the first time we’re bringing in celebrity talent for this particular event. The whole weekend is next level."
The weekend-long celebration kicks off on Friday, May 26 at the Hilton Garden Inn with the Cocktail Social — a meet-and-greet style event with music and craft cocktails. Saturday, May 27 is the Beats x Brunch event from 12-4 p.m. at Tenacity Brewing with brunch provided by Bella's Catering. Multiple DJs will set the backdrop for the afternoon and patrons can enjoy a wide selection of craft beer and mimosas.
The weekend's main event, Beats x BBQ, happens on Sunday, May 28 in the Downtown Flat Lot and will feature food trucks, vendors, games, and music from an array of DJs, including this year's headliner, DJ Drama.
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Promotional flier for this year's Beats x BBQ event.
The Philadelphia native is best known for hosting his popular 'Gangsta Grillz' mixtape series that has spanned over the past two decades. Notable rap artists that received the 'Gangsta Grillz' treatment include Lil Wayne, T.I., Young Jeezy, Nipsey Hussle, and many more. DJ Drama's Grammy win came last year for his work on Tyler, the Creator's 2021 album,
Call Me If You Get Lost, which won for "Best Rap Album."
The legendary DJ will be spinning a live music set during this year's Beats x BBQ event.
Among the activities taking place this weekend, Corder himself is most excited to experience the Beats x BBQ event that has grown to become a Memorial Day staple in Flint for the past several years.
"I’m always most excited about Beats x BBQ and to see the growth of it," said Corder. "My intentions are little by little to turn it into a full-blown taste festival so, each year, you’ll see new things implemented."
When asked what keeps him motivated to deliver consistent events in Flint, Corder replied, "I honestly just love gathering people for things that I would want to attend myself. In Flint specifically, I want to create things that I experience everywhere else. Overall, I just have a passion for creating experiences and connecting people."
For tickets and more info on the 4th annual Beats x Beers Memorial Day Weekend, visit: beatsxbeers.com/memorialday
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