Has Summer Jam run its course? Fight erupts at concert, performers reportedly cut out of show due to delays

East Rutherford, NJ – Known as the biggest event to bring in the summer, famed New York radio station Hot 97 held its annual Summer Jam concert on June 5th, 2016 at Metlife Stadium.

If you’ve ever been to summer jam, you know many fans head to the Stadium early to tailgate and party before the concert begins. But as reports began to surface on the weather, many were forced to seek shelter in their cars or in the stadium, believing the show would be cancelled.

Summer Jam performances

Due to the inclement weather, The Festival Stage, which gives upcoming artists a chance to shine, was eventually cancelled and the Stadium Stage performances were pushed to start at 9:30pm. A very late delay, nonetheless.

This year I did not personally cover Summer Jam, but a rep I sent out did say frustrations would begin to muster from concert goers. Yet, most fans waited patiently to enter the gates to see acts like Kanye West & G.O.O.D Music, DJ Khaled & his many friends, Remy Ma & Fat Joe, and more.

The entire show kicked off with Maino and Uncle Murda, who brought out 2 Milly and got the entire stadium “Milly Rocking.” Next up, G.O.O.D Music took to the stage, as surprise guests, Kanye West & 2 Chainz, joined Big Sean, Pusha T. & Travis $cott for epic performances of “Mercy” and “I.D.F.W.U.” Kanye also performed songs from his latest album, The Life of Pablo, and brought out Desiigner to perform his mega hit “Panda.” Which was a nice surprise since Desiigner was to perform at the Festival stage.

Bryson Tiller graced the stage, bringing out special guest Fabolous to perform his latest song, “Sorry Not Sorry,” off of his mixtape Summertime Shootout, as well as Tiller’s fan favorite single, “Don’t”. Terror Squad made their return to the Summer Jam stage, performing an array of classic hits such as “Feel So Good” and “Lean Back” with the entire crowd on their feet singing along. Fat Joe brought out songstress Ashanti to perform their 2001 hit single, “What’s Luv”, and French Montana for the remix of “All the Way Up.”

Up next, A$AP Rocky, A$AP Ferg and the whole A$AP Mob took to the stage, joined by an eclectic group of dancers, to perform “Yamborghini High” and Ferg’s hit song, “New Level.” Closing out the show was producer and social media icon, DJ Khaled. And when DJ Khaled says he’s bringing out everyone, and he wasn’t kidding! Rick Ross, Busta Rhymes, Movado, M.O.P., Ty Dolla $ign, Kent Jones, and The Lox all joined Khaled on-stage performing a collection of their greatest songs.

Fights

But the show would abruptly stop and become delayed again after a fight erupted on the floor area of the concert leading to 35 arrested, one injured, and three taken into custody. The fight that happened in the general seating area in front of the stage erupted into slight chaos following Fat Joe and Remy Ma’s set around 12:30 a.m. Folding chairs had been thrown while other concertgoers panicked and ran for the exit. The house lights also remained on even as the next performers, A$AP Ferg and A$AP Rocky, took the stage.

State police say the matter was handled within minutes causing a temporary delay of the show. Last year, 61 people were arrested after a fight broke out before the Stadium Stage performances were to begin.

Due to the fight and weather delays, Summer Jam would end with the sound cutting out mid-set and the concert ended before the main headliner, Future, and other acts could perform.

“We share your disappointment that due to the delayed start because of the severe weather, as well as a curfew and an end deadline for the last train out of Secaucus in consideration of our concert goers traveling via NJ Transit, that we were unable to get everyone on stage tonight we had hoped would perform,” said a spokesperson for Emmis Communications, the parent company of Hot 97.

Given the major delay from the weather, and then another delay from the fight, should Hot 97 have made the move to reschedule the show?

Fans say it was great to see acts like Terror Squad, Remy Ma, and Ashanti back on the stage but the delays did leave some disappointments. A lot of concertgoers came out to see Future. Given that the cheapest ticket at Summer Jam is around $100, that’s a hefty penny not to see the headliner.

For more than five years I have given nothing but great reviews on the show. I believe the festival is a great way for fans to experience a variety of great music in one night. I have always said there is nothing like a Summer Jam concert experience. But with the latest chaos of fights and delays causing fans to miss out on performances they paid for, it leaves the question, has Summer Jam ran its course?