A Night to Remember

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.

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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.

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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."

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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.

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