Once upon a time in a universe far, far away, HipHopDX used to host blogs. Through Meka, Brillyance, Aliya Ewing and others, readers got unfiltered opinions on the most current topics in and beyond Hip Hop. After a few years, a couple redesigns and the collective vision of three different Editors-In-Chief, blogs are back. Sort of. Since our blog section went the way of two-way pagers and physical mixtapes, Twitter, Instagram and Ustream have further accelerated the pace of current events in Hip Hop. Rappers beef with each other 140 characters at a time, entire mixtapes (and their associated artwork) can be released via Instagram, and sometimes these events require a rapid reaction.
As such, I’m reserving this space for a weekly reaction to Hip Hop’s current events. Or whatever else I deem worthy. And the “I” in question is myself, Andre Grant. I serve as HipHopDX’s Features Staff. Aside from tackling stray topics, I may invite artists and other personalities in Hip Hop to join the conversation. Without further delay, here’s this week’s “Stray Shots.”
Who’s the best concert in Rap right now?
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If you’ve been alive since 2006, then you know the most beautiful Rap concert experience in the world right now is a Kanye West live production. And I’m not talking about when he headlines a show — though those are also chock full of goodies, — I’m talking about when he painstakingly sets about creating a concert experience that will knock your socks off. His latest concert tour was Yeezus and it featured a meticulously erected set featuring a mountain, an actor playing Jesus, eerily creeping backup dancers, bejeweled Margiela masks and more, all in a package that makes you feel you’re in another world entirely. Also, the rants! How sanctimonious and frivolous are they? But touching! Here is Kanye West usurping the usual channels of publicist, PR team, and journalists to speak directly into my soul. Sometimes he misses, but just the audacity is worthy of applause.
Run The Jewels
There are other types of Rap shows, though, that manage to rise above the typical level of emcee, DJ, and guest stars into a viscereal experience where an entire crowd is engaged in mind-melding hero worship, and that’s what happened on Thursday night at the Echoplex when Run The Jewels erupted their brand of non-stop action-rap on the crowd.
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Thurz opened for the crowd with his EP Designer, and a live band that converted some non-believers. From “21” to “Right Now” his new EP, and turn at electro-funk-rap is made to move the crowd. With a live band behind him, he also brought out the dested one Overdoz, and DJ Quik closed his set with mic drop and a drink in hand.
The crowd was star studded, with artists like A$AP Ferg dotted in the dark-as-hell venue. The RTJ set was intense, with everyone moving in a frenzied congregation. If there is an unholy spirit, it was in there that night. Custom posters of the official Run The Jewels logo were being screen printed in the back, and the mosh was on. They even brought out a few guests. Gangsta Boo‘ strode through to bless us with her scene stealing verse on “Love Again” and Travis Barker came through (on his birthday!) to add live drums to “All Due Respect,” but not before Zack De La Rocha of Rage Against The Machine killed his vocal cords for “Close Your Eyes.” In short, it was incredible. It also cements what has been, for RTJ fans, a tightly held acclaim, that they’re one of the best rap shows in the game. You just have to be down for whatever.
Tech N9ne
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Not only does Tecca Nina do nutty 90 shows in 99 day’ stretches of performing, but all of his performances are high energy affairs, featuing a fanbase so devoted they’ve made him one of the wealthiest performers in Rap. His technical precision and mulitudes of flows can only be matched by his on-stage antics, which venture into any space he sees fit. His catalog is plentiful, allowing him to give the crowd exactly what they want and when. Add face paint, pyrotechnics and more, and you’ve got yourself one of hell of a show.
The Roots
*Photo by Mel. D Cole
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A Roots show is a master class in plying a mood and musicianship that is almost unmatched. The great rap band of the last three decades has only gotten better, and their concerts are some of the most satisfying and versatile set pieces in Hip Hop. You never know what you’re getting, exactly, because dam near any emcee of note can hop on in and Rap over the band while they do their live thing that it can easily ascend into an orgy of sounds. From the Roots Picnic to Jimmy Fallon, the Roots can play anything, anywhere, anytime.
Jay Z
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Jay’s done it all in terms of live performances, and somehow it all works. He’s not flailing around or dancing or has fire coming out of anywhere, but his signature brand of cool and his bevy of hits make him an OG at amazing live performances. And he’s done them everywhere, at stadiums like Yankee stadium and with his wife just recently at the On The Run Tour, and he even did the odd couple thing with Kanye at their Watch The Throne Tour, and he does it all without ever sacrificing himself. If you never thought you’d pay copious amounts of cash to see a man stand there and rhyme into a microphone then you’ve been proven wrong if you’ve gone to a Jay show. And the guest stars… Dios Mio, anyone in the game is susceptible to jump out on stage at any time making a concert excursion with Hov’ performing almost a guaranteed good time.
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