New Orleans: 4.18.23 - 4.21.23
New Orleans and Masego were both calling my name singing “You Never Visit Me,” so I took a trip to New Orleans primarily to see Masego perform in concert for the first time and have a mini vacay with my sis Alayna. As I waited for my luggage at baggage claim, across from me I saw a tall, brown skinned man with an afro puff also waiting for his luggage. I took a closer look and realized it was Masego! Little did I know, we had flown on the same flight from ATL to NOLA, except he flew first class. I walked over to introduce myself to Masego and told him I would be at his concert the next day. He shook my hand and complimented my hair ☺️
The following evening I wore a thrifted 70s style dress with white Nike Air Force 1’s to attend Masego’s concert, an outfit that was complimented by many strangers throughout the night. OGI opened up the concert with her beautiful voice and bubbly personality before Masego serenaded the crowd with his saxophone and roses he threw out for us to catch. Unlike the day before, Masego’s hair was freshly braided in a style similar to mine. I like to believe I inspired his hairstyle for the concert since he complimented my hair the day before.
After the concert my friends and I went to a reggae club called Dragon’s Den. As we’re dancing, we recognize a familiar face walk in the club. Once again it’s Masego! Trying to keep my cool, I walk over to him and tell him I was the girl he met at the airport the day before and that I just came from his concert. I thanked him for an amazing performance and experience. From his 6’3 stance, he bent down and gave me a warm hug. Even though I had two personal interactions with Masego, I was so starstruck each time that I never told him my name, and I didn’t take a picture with him. Masego if you’re reading this, my name is Nateya.
Outside of the concert, NOLA treated me to southern food and artsy vibes: fried alligator, bread pudding, jumbo, char grilled oysters, catfish, praline waffles, beignets, live music, street art, late night art markets, and poems written by strangers on a typewriter. Mid-way through eating fried alligator, I became unsettled. Although the taste of the fried alligator was not unsettling, psychologically I could not believe I was eating alligator and my mind became disturbed. Nonetheless, it is safe to say this was not my last trip to New Orleans nor my last Masego concert.