Dope Shows has already made an impact here in the City of Brotherly Love.
When the concert promotional company launched almost five years ago, co-founders and friends Stephen Piner and Jamir Shaw set out to create a new path in the entertainment industry not just for themselves, but for the youth of Philadelphia. Growing up in West Philly, the duo made the realization that in the world of entertainment, there was a void that needed to be filled—one where there could be captivating performances and events that doubled as compelling messages for the community that has never been done in quite this way before.
After kicking off in 2017, Dope Shows has amassed over 20 shows and one festival with their reach traveling to other cities such as Baltimore, Washington D.C. and Boston. The organization also records a 90% sell-out rate with each show, and that hasn’t stopped, even after the pandemic.
In the past, Dope Shows has put on concerts (their first was in the summer of ’21) and a portion of the ticket proceeds went to youth-based causes and initiatives in Philadelphia. The organization also put on a live podcast production with the host of the ‘Earn Your Leisure Podcast,’ an NYC-based podcast with hosts financial advisor Rashad Bilal and educator Troy Millings.
The company has partnered with local nonprofit Dimplez 4 Dayz Inc. in the past as well to give away 1,000 book bags filled with school supplies to local students. Another facet of the integral parts of Dope Shows is its partnership with the City of Philadelphia. For example, the city provided Dope Shows with a video for one of their past events titled “We’ve Had Enough,” a campaign that talked about violence in the city in correlation to how it impacts local youth.
The main drive for that show and also for their upcoming endeavors is to share positive messages and encouraging words from artists and guests to the youth of the city. And now, this spring, Dope Shows is getting ready to host one of its biggest events ever—their Birthday Bash.
“The Birthday Bash is Dope Shows’ biggest and best show to date. It’s not often you find big names like this, all performing under the same roof in our city,” says Piner and Shaw. “You won’t get this experience anywhere else. #Ain’tNoShowsLikeDopeShows”
As a release states, the Bash is now taking place on the same night as the 2022 Grammys, with two Grammy-nominated artists headlining—rappers Lil Baby and Gunna. Atlanta rapper, Lil Baby is nominated for five 2022 Grammys including, Album of the Year for his feature in Ye’s album, ‘Donda’ and H.E.R’s album, ‘Back Of My Mind.’ Gunna is nominated for Album of the Year for his feature in Doja Cats’ album, ‘Planet Her.’
The event will hit the stage at the Wells Fargo Center on Sunday, April 3 at 6 p.m., and tickets range from $24 and up. Fans attending WFC events are no longer required to show proof of vaccination or proof of a negative test to enter the arena, however the city requires masks for guests in the arena. Tickets to Dope Shows Birthday Bash can be purchased at WellsFargoCenterPhilly.com. For information, follow Dope Shows on Instagram and Facebook.
Metro is one of more than 20 news organizations producing Broke in Philly, a collaborative reporting project on economic mobility. Read more at brokeinphilly.org or follow on Twitter at @BrokeInPhilly.
