Smoking Weed with Mr. Cheeks at the Rio
Over 20 years ago, I embarked on a journey as a house AV Technician at the Rio, and little did I know that this job would lead to one of the most unforgettable experiences of my career. The stage was set for a memorable night at a UNLV Rebels After Party featuring none other than Mr. Cheeks, the iconic rapper. What transpired that evening, as I would soon find out, would test my quick thinking and leave an indelible mark on my memory.
In those days, we took our jobs seriously, dressing in suits as part of our standard attire. The atmosphere backstage was charged with excitement as Mr. Cheeks' performance began. As I strolled through the backstage area, I spotted my friend Paul, who was mixing monitors. Eager to share the buzz, I approached him and pointed in the direction of Mr. Cheeks, who was casually enjoying a blunt.
However, in my enthusiasm, I made a grave mistake. I hadn't realized that Mr. Cheeks was looking directly at me just as I was pointing towards him. The realization of my blunder hit me like a ton of bricks, and I immediately turned to Paul, whispering, "Well, I better get the heck out of here." Paul concurred, advising that it would be a wise move.
But just as I was about to make my hasty exit, Mr. Cheeks rushed over to me. He spun me around and raised his hands in the air, demanding, "Is there a problem with me smoking a blunt backstage motherfucker?" My heart raced, and I stammered, "No, man, I was just telling my friend Paul here that it would be really cool if I could tell my friends I smoked with Mr. Cheeks."
Mr. Cheeks, seemingly taken aback by my honesty, questioned, "For real, though?" Without hesitation, I replied, "Hell yeah." It was in that moment that he passed me the blunt, offering me a chance to join him in this unexpected smoking session. Three fingers raised, he handed it to me with a simple, "Here, take three of them."
I took two hits from the blunt much like Snoop Dog himself would as I was eager to impress Mr. Cheeks, who was, after all, a legendary figure in the hip-hop world. The surrealness of the situation did not escape me; I had effectively paused the show just to share a smoke with the man himself. After those two hits, Mr. Cheeks snatched the blunt and, with a nod, returned to the stage to continue his performance.
The night that could have taken an entirely different turn ended up being one for the books. I had not only avoided a potentially hostile situation but had also shared a blunt with a hip-hop icon. This memory remained tucked away, known only to a select few, until today, when I decided to share this remarkable story.
Looking back, I can confidently say that Mr. Cheeks is cool in my book, and that night at the Rio will forever be etched in my memory as a testament to the unexpected twists and turns that life can bring. It's a reminder that sometimes, taking a chance and being honest can lead to the most incredible and unforgettable experiences.