Remember the classic scene in the 2009 film The Proposal, when Sandra Bullock is in the woods and Betty White is encouraging her to find her flow and connect to herself through music and movement? And then she summons up Lil Jon’s hit “Get Low” and lets it fly (to the window… to the wall)? Well, who knew back then that Lil Jon himself would be taking his own spiritual journey as an artist, and that his evolution would bring him to Peloton for a special Artist Series? 

This collaboration goes a few steps beyond Peloton’s typical Artist Series format, as Lil Jon himself made an in-person appearance at PSNY on June 27th, participating live with Chelsea Jackson Roberts for a 10 Minute Meditation, and then got the party turned up in a 30 Minute Club Bangers ride with Alex Toussaint. Additionally, Peloton Apparel is featuring Lil Jon’s Soul Chakra collection, inspired by his recent work in the health and wellness space (yes, you read that right, the Grammy award-winning Atlanta hip hop artist best known for big early 2000s crunk hits like Get Low, Salt Shaker, Yeah (with Usher), and Turn Down for What is moving in a new direction, sharing his new music on an album entitled Manifest Abundance).

Lil Jon Loves Chelsea as Much as We Do

The meditation opens with Lil Jon saying, “this is the most lit I’m going to get all day” and as a fellow 50-something also embarking on my own meditation journey in recent years, I feel that. The class is structured as a sort of 2-for-1 with Lil Jon chiming in here and there, supporting Chelsea as she guides us to land on a mantra that resonates (from many they offer) or identify one that fits us more personally. The instrumental music, written by Lil Jon and appearing on his new album, is lush and vibrational, coming in waves to match our breathing. In a recent article in Billboard magazine, Lil Jon praises Chelsea, and she leads this class deftly. She is looking even more radiant than usual and it’s clear Lil Jon is thrilled to be in her presence. Celebrities, they’re just like us! 

Club Bangers, Let’s Go!

For the uninitiated, Club Bangers is Alex Toussaint’s signature series on the bike, where he brings us a weekly visit to the dance club. These curated rides simulate the experience of going out, where you feel the vibe of the night along with the music – from taking the pulse of the room, to stepping out on the dance floor, to letting loose, and then ultimately to last call when the lights come up and it’s time to go home (for some of us older folks, these are great trips back to our younger days, especially when he brings in the old school hits!). 

The Lil Jon Club Bangers ride is one that will not soon be forgotten. Immediately after it aired, members of the Feel Good Family (the AT fan group) were beside themselves praising the format, the production, and the energy. As a FGF-er myself for five years (Alex was my first ride, my 100th, and my 1100th in studio last year, a dream come true!), I barely slept with anticipation of taking this ride the morning after it dropped, and it did not disappoint.  

AT comes in hot calling for cadence over 100 in the warm up but everyone in the room matches his energy immediately. Lil Jon is not riding but is actually in the new DJ booth, and he comes out to engage with the riders! (Can you imagine being there… I would have fallen off my bike!) The playlist combines hits from Lil Jon and his peers, as well as a few unexpected songs at the end (they make sense though). Throughout the half hour, riders are singing along in call and response, towels are spinning, it’s a whole vibe! The structure is familiar to anyone who rides with Alex (jogs, climbs, walk it like you talk it, all the things you love). His classes are always fun, and always challenging. When it was time for hydration station, we are treated to an amazing twist. (SPOILER ALERT!) The song changes to Shots (you know, “shots, shots, shots… everybody”) and in come fellow Peloton instructors Ash Pryor and Camilla Ramon, decked out with glow sticks and ready to dance, along with members of the production staff who bring glowing shot glasses of water around to all riders. Perfection! As the club closing draws near, everyone sings Livin’ on a Prayer and Party in the USA and while those are not the songs you might expect AT to end with, they matched the mood of a very memorable group experience. 

Lately it seems to me like Peloton’s Artist Series are a bit “a dime a dozen” – there are so many to choose from and they come to us very frequently. The variety is good, I’m not complaining as there is “something for everyone in the car” as Denis Morton likes to say when it comes to music, but they don’t seem quite as special as they used to, at least to me. This ride felt more like the old “must-see-tv” feel of Peloton in the past, and I enjoyed the connectivity with other members over this more unique experience. Great job by the behind-the-scenes team putting this all together! 

Have you taken this ride or will you try it now? Are you already a Lil Jon fan or are you curious what the hype is about? Let us know! 

Tune in to The Clip Out every Friday to hear Tom and Crystal’s take on this and other hot Pelotopics. We’re available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, iHeart, TuneIn. Be sure and follow us so you never miss an episode. You can also find the show online on Facebook.com/TheClipOut. While you’re there, like the page and join the group. Lastly, find us on our YouTube channel, YouTube.com/TheClipOut, where you can watch all of our shows.

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