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Apr 14, 2023

North to Shore Festival NJ: Eric B and Rakim ready for Stone Pony

It ain't no joke, playing the Stone Pony is a career goal for Eric B and Rakim.

It ain't no joke, playing the Stone Pony is a career goal for Eric B and Rakim.

The New York City hip-hop legends play the legendary Asbury Park venue Tuesday, June 13, as part of the new North to Shore festival.

"The Stone Pony for us is the girlfriend that got away," said Eric B, aka Bergen County resident Eric Barrier. "We played every historic building worldwide, from Hammersmith Odeon (in London) to the Apollo, to Madison Square Garden, to all the other buildings that have been torn down. The Stone Pony is the girlfriend in high school who got away. We’re going to have a great time."

Eric B and Rakim's music, starting with the 1987 album "Paid in Full," is credited with imbuing hip-hop with a musical and lyrical sophistication that was elemental for its growth. Their hits include "Paid in Full," "Follow the Leader," "I Know You Got Soul" and "I Ain't No Joke."

A portion of the show's proceeds will go to the Asbury Park Music Foundation, which promotes music education for kids in the Asbury Park area. Eric B is concerned about the lack of music and vocational education in school.

"When l when I went to school, I learned how to play an instrument. I learned how to bake cakes, I learned how to work on cars. I had everything in school and we took it for granted," Eric B said. "Kids don't have that now, and we get mad when they stay on their phones all day."

Eric B has developed another arts-related skill in the last few years: acting. He plays officer Mike Gee on the CBS crime drama "Blue Bloods."

Star Donnie Wahlberg helped him secure the role.

"It's actually easier (than hip-hop)," said Eric B of "Blue Bloods." "You figure if we're playing in an arena, we're playing in front of 20,000. When I'm on the set of 'Blue Bloods,' I'm playing in front of 20 people. So it's much easier, then you get to go home at night. We have a great time, too. Donnie and the rest of the cast, the camera guys, the writers, the whole set has been extremely nice and we laugh the whole time."

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Good times are in store for the Stone Pony. Eric B has invited his friend, Gov. Phil Murphy, who previously introduced the hip-hop duo at the Apollo.

"He always comes to our shows," Eric B said. "He always tells me, 'Eric, I don't know if I'm going to be there.' Then he tells me, 'Eric, I can only stay for a half hour.' Then he stays until 2 ... in the morning so we have a great time."

North to Shore takes place in Atlantic City through June 11, Asbury Park from June 14 to 18, and Newark from June 21 to 25. In addition to music on stages, clubs and on the boardwalk, there also are films, TED talks, comedy shows, food events, art displays and cultural exhibits.

More information is at https://northtoshore.com/.

Go: Eric B and Rakim, 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 13, Stone Pony, 913 Ocean Ave., Asbury Park, $99; stoneponyonline.com.

The say a good captain is not made from calm seas.

We wonder if the same holds true for burlesque dancers? Find out at the Saturday, June 10, Showgirls at Sea burlesque show, featuring Lelu Lenore, Calamity Chang, Mr. Gorgeous, Qualms Galore, and host Broadway Brassy. The show takes place on a Teal Cruises boat out of the Atlantic Highlands Municipal Harbor, and it's produced by Lenore, aka the Bayshore Bombshell.

There's going to be a show, sunset cruise and a deejay dance party. As for the seas, they'll be nice and calm -- the boat doesn't leave Sandy Hook Bay.

Go: Showgirls at Sea, 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, June 10, Atlantic Highlands Municipal Harbor, 2 Simon Lake Dr., Atlantic Highlands. $65; tealcruises.com.

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Chris Jordan, a Jersey Shore native, covers entertainment and features for the USA Today Network New Jersey. Contact him at @chrisfhjordan; [email protected]