The Snowstorm Music Tour returns this February, stopping at the Val Air Ballroom in Des Moines February 16th this time with hip-hop crossover sensation T-PAIN, and the ever-eclectic GYM CLASS HEROES.
Special guests include one artist yet to be announced and Rhymesayers Entertainment artists GRIEVES & BUDO. CRIS CAB rounds out the lineup.
Tickets will go on-sale at noon on Friday, December 30th, at all Ticketmaster outlets, online at Ticketmaster.com, or by calling 800-745-3000.
Advance general admission tickets are $35; day-of-show tickets cost $40. Applicable fees may apply. The Val Air Ball is located at 301 Ashworth Road in West Des Moines.
T-PAIN
What fans will find from his December 2011 release, 'rEVOLVEr', is what the title suggests - an artist that challenged himself to resonate with new audiences. Mission accomplished. "5 O'Clock" featuring Wiz Khalifa and British songbird, Lilly Allen, has the feel of a pop song, and the suave, cool stylings of an R&B standard. T-Pain recently toured with Chris Brown, whom he also collaborated with on "Best Love Song." Based out of Tallahassee, T-Pain went pro when he recorded his personal take ("I'm F**Ked Up") of Akon's hit "Locked Up." His first release, 'Rappa Ternt Sanga' (2005) saw "I'm Sprung" crack the Top 10 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts. "I'm N Luv" featuring Mike Jones reached No. 5 on the Hot 100 chart. T-Pain's second album, 'Epiphany' (2006), featured the smash hits "Buy U A Drank (Shawty Snappin')" featuring Yung Joc, "Bartender" featuring Akon and "Church". He's made numerous guest appearances, including "Low" by Flo Rida, "Good Life" with Kanye West, and "One More Drink" with Ludacris. His chart success continued with "Can't Believe" featuring Lil Wayne and "Freeze" featuring Chris Brown.Visit www.t-pain.net.
GYM CLASS HEROES
Alternative/ hip-hop band Gym Class Heroes catapulted to international stardom in 2007 with their #1 hit "Cupid's Chokehold/Breakfast in America," which set the record for holding the top spot on the Top 40 radio charts for the most consecutive weeks by a band. This helped them earn the "Best New Artist" award on the MTV Video Music Awards that same year. After scoring one of the biggest songs of 2010 with his solo smash hit "Billionaire (featuring Bruno Mars)," frontman Travie McCoy returned to Gym Class Heroes to release the band's fourth Decaydance/Fueled by Ramen release, 'The Papercut Chronicles II', this past November. The album's multi-platinum, lead single "Stereo Hearts (featuring Adam Levine)" become the band's second #1 hit this fall, with its followup "Ass Back Home (featuring Neon Hitch)" already starting its ascent up the charts. Gym Class Heroes' genre-jumping sound and energetic live performances have made the band equally at home touring with The Roots and Lil Wayne as they are crossing the country as a Warped Tour headliner. Collectively, Travie McCoy and Gym Class Heroes have sold over 2 million albums worldwide and over 8 million digital singles.Visit www.gymclassheroes.com.
GRIEVES & BUDO
Rhymesayers Entertainment artist Grieves enlisted longtime friend, collaborator and producer, Budo on his latest album, 'Together/Apart', and his first tour. 'Together/Apart' charted No. 1 on Billboard's Heatseekers Chart, No. 13 in Rap Albums, and No. 106 on Billboard's Top 200. Vans Warped Tour veteran, Grives' combination of signing and rapping makes this Chicago-native stand out. With the addition of Budo's keys, horn and guitar, the result is an awesome beat and hip hop launched into the next generation.Visit www.grievesandbudo.com.
CRIS CAB
It's been said that in the digital music world, the 16, 17, and 18-year-old virtuosos are leading the pack. With over a million hits on YouTube of covers from the likes of Wiz Khalifa, Kanye West, and Foster The People, Cris Cab (at only 18 years old), is the face of the next generation's independent artist gaining an immense fan base and attention solely online. So much so, he is the protégé of hit maker Pharrell Williams (he's half of the power production due The Neptunes). Cris Cab may have begun emulating Bob Dylan, Steely Dan, Marvin Gaye, and even Led Zeppelin, but it didn't take long for the Cuban-American's talent to shine through. His original tracks "Good Girls" is soulful and as much reggae as pop. His diverse talents and multi-genre appeal have already landed him tour spots with Matisyahu and O.A.R.Visit www.criscab.com.