THE ESSENCE OF HIP HOP
by: LP
(above is: Raekwon THE CHEF)
“You can check out what’s going on right there,” Bobby explained pointing to a flat screen monitor. Rhode Island shrugged and mumbled something about wanting to get in there before the show started. He left three bucks for his beer saying that he didn’t have any more cash…when Shakes and I could clearly see a five peeking out of his bill fold. The waitress returned and inquired about the three bucks on the table.
“Is this for me?” she questioned. “Its that guy’s money for your beer,” we explained. “That asshole!” she exclaimed. “He knew his beer cost five. Ugh what a dick.” Bobby reached for his wallet wanting to pay the difference. “Oh no, you don’t have to do that. It’s my problem,” the waitress told us. “It’s not the two bucks. It’s jus t the principle of the matter.” We agreed, finished our drinks, left her a handsome tip and headed in to catch the start of the show.
Rawkwon was introduced by his DJ on stage with base loud enough to rattle your ribcage. He kicked off the show with high energy performing C.R.E.A.M. And the crowd was cheering along with him, “Get the money. Dollar dollar bill y’all.” The girls were rocking their hips and the boys were bobbing their heads. It was nearly a packed house, which is impressive as six months have not passed since his last show in Boston. His Boston constituents can’t seem to get enough of him. I give props to all those who braved the 10 degree biting cold to come out and support him a second time. I parked a block and a half away from the venue and I still took off sprinting full speed down the sidewalk, stopping two storefronts away from Paradise to warm up in a corner store before standing in line to show the doormen my ID. It was fucking cold outside, but inside Raekwon was making Paradise hot.
Maybe so many of y’all came out for the much anticipated performance of old class hip hop act CNN, performing in Boston for the first time since CAPONE'S infamous lock up. Unfortunately Noreaga wasn’t able to make the show but his counterpart Capone was there and he held it down for both of them. Even saying “Noreaga held me down when I was in prison and now it’s my turn to hold him down.” And on stage that’s exactly what he did, getting the crowd fired up when he started his set with “Homeboy I came to party, your girl was looking at me . She's a Haggler. No, I'm not taggin' her. But you don't want those boys to come over and start askin' ya. So what you wanna do? What ya tryin' to do?" And with that everyone was keyed up. After an explosive intro he invited a bevy of ladies on stage to sing and dance with him as the show rolled on.
Raphael Saadiq....Takes Us Back?
by: LP
(above is: Raphael Saadiq)
Raphael Saadiq entered the scene and brought it one step further sporting a vintage inspired, red tuxedo with tapered pant legs and a matching bow tie…the epitome of a throwback. His high energy performance transcended time and place taking us back to a musical golden age. His backup dances were impressive stepping and grooving in perfect harmony mixing smooth Motown moves with their own funky renditions.
The crowd got rowdy when he began singing Dance Tonight. Audience members were singing along to those catchy lyrics, “First thing we need to do, is find brand new fits for you, make sure that you look good, make sure that I smell good.” The show continued on, a montage of different musical styles from slow baby making R&B serenades to rocking numbers with Saadiq on his white electric guitar. I caught the second half of the show from the balcony with Boston’s Hot 97 crew. I watched our very own Bobby Shakes shake it from the balcony along with Hot 97’s L-I-Z and Hot Sauce. From the floor to the balcony everyone was getting down. From my perch on the upper level I could also fully appreciate the choreographed dance moves and the skill of all those on stage. Saadiq’s keyboardist who was introduced as Charles from Houston treated the audience to a powerful solo. Saadiq on stage is surrounded by a talented bunch and together their music, vocals and moves are unstoppable. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end and in black tuxedo pants Saadiq gave us an encore ending with his very own version of the 1969 hit Let the Sunshine In. We all left humming that tune feeling transformed by an evening of classic and bona fide musical entertainment.
The Real Hip Hop Is Over Here!!!
by: LP
(above is: Rakim aka "THE GOD")
Rakim entered the scene with style and grace, and after finishing his first number he took a moment to thank his fans for their support over his many years in the Rap game. While they applauded he took a moment to pop a couple of cough drops admitting that he had a cold and asking his fans to support his strained vocals by singing along. The crowd graciously obliged.
As the show started I noticed that Technician the DJ was mixing Rakim down in a style unique to dancehall giving the show a one of a kind feel, making me think that maybe hip hop and dancehall are distant cousins. Throughout the show Rakim alternated between performing numbers and taking time to interact with the audience. He would take us down memory lane performing tracks like I Ain’t No Joke and then after finishing the number he would chat with members of the crowd, at one point asking us where we were from. Answers ranged from Roxbury and Somerville to Chicago and New York, proving this crowd’s diversity. And to that Rakim concluded “It ain’t where you’re from its where you’re at,” before beginning to perform In the Ghetto. At one monumental point, Rakim had everyone in the crowd chanting, “This I represent the real hip hop,” and “The real hip hop is over here.” It was moving to see such diversity of age and race speaking these words in unison.
Lastly, the show would not have been complete without a turntable interlude whereby Technician showcased his skills only to be joined by Rakim who surprised us all as he held his own on the tables. Afterwards he confessed that he taught himself to scratch back in the day and in the process ruined several of his sister’s Michael Jackson records. Before his last number Rakim took a moment to chat sports, telling us that it’s important to represent your hood and your city by supporting its different sports teams. “I’ve been a Knicks fan since I was knee high to a grasshopper’s ass,” he told the crowd. To which Technician replied, “I ain’t gonna front the Celtics got it this year.”
True to his warning as the night was winding down, so was Rakim’s voice and he finished his set with an acapella version of Follow the Leader. If you missed this show, you missed what felt like an hour of one on one with one of hip hop’s most revered artists. After the show wrapped, before heading back stage, he took the time to meet and greet his fans autographing every poster he was presented. If I had to describe Rakim in one word it would be REAL, and if you haven’t purchased his latest Album The Seventh Seal I recommend it to any of you fans of real hip hop.
MAN TAKES A SWING AT M.B.T.A WORKER!!
(above is: A Video of train station madness)
SOSH B TALKS ABOUT POVERTY!!
(above is: A Video of SOSH B)
WHY FEMALE DRIVERS SUCK!!
(above is: A Video of a women trying to park)
REDMAN TALKS ABOUT HIS VERIZON
(above is: A Video of Redman)
THE AIR FORCE ONE SAVAGE BEAST
(above is: a video of the new AF1 Savage Beast)
Nike always release a shoe for the holidays. Last year was the "Black Fridays" this year it's the "Savage Beast". The entire midsole is covered with orange pony hair. Only the tongue, gum bottom and swoosh are not covered in pony hair. Go to X SQUARED 201 Newbury St. Boston and pet a pair.
