Heineken Red Star Tour

Heineken’s Independent Achiever award is back for the second year with the Red Star Soul tour. This year, urban cities can expect a power line-up fueled by some of soul music’s most brilliant acts.

Mr. Number One on the Billboard spot, Common, kicked off the tour in Los Angeles performing hits off of his new album Finding Forever (G.O.O.D Music/Geffen Records), to a mellowed out head-bobbing crowd.

“I love it,” Common tells King-mag.com with a bright smile, still dripping with sweat from his electrifying performance. “It’s a great chance for us to tour in all these different cities. They put together and recognize great artists.”

Heineken isn’t the only mainstream source taking notice to the impact of soul music and its icons. Common is also starring in an upcoming blockbuster film with Denzel Washington entitled American Gangster. Despite his sliver screen success he says he’ll never leave hip-hop.

Kenny Burns, most noted for his signing of O.D.B. after his stint in the pen, is a driving force behind the tour. “Last year was my first year hosting and we broke acts like Emily King, Chrisette Michelle and Rahim Devon,” Burns said. I’m very proud of because all of them are doing great now. We have Chrisette coming back on a few dates, Common, Erykah Badu, Alicia Keyes, Rafael Saddiq and of course Rahim.”

Burns gave props to Heineken for making an award that holds as much relevancy as any other musical honor. “The independent achiever awards was created to recognize people in the market that don’t normally get recognized,” Burns said. “All these people who trail blazed in their own way but they’re not at the Grammy’s getting awards. The award is beautiful, they’re heavy, beautiful awards you want on your mantelpiece.”

This years recipients boast some of music’s most valuable contributors. Eddie Levert was in perfect attendance to acknowledge the award for his late son, soul great Gerald. DJ Jazzy Jeff, for revolutionizing Philly’s music scene introducing heavy hitters like Musiq and Jill Scott. Music Producer and Sony A&R No ID also received an award. Producing for artists in the likes of Jay Z, Bow Wow, Toni Braxton, Jamie Foxx and Common, Heineken took notice.

“I did Common’s first three albums,” No ID says. ID was clear that he likes to stay low key but may not be able to avoid the shine now. Kanye shouts him out, along with Jay Z on his most humble track “Big Brother” off the forthcoming album, Graduation. He speaks highly of the Chi-town trio. “Right now it’s just a good time for us. A lot of times its so many ups and downs getting there a lot of people don’t even be friends. [Now] we can all sit around and laugh because all of us are doing what we wanted to do.” No ID is currently an A&R rep for Sony.

Each city on the tour stop is in for a real treat. Live music, good crowds, and hit after hit after hit is a complete run-down of this year’s Red Soul Concert series.