The Lyricist Lounge concert poster billed Bloodline Records’ artist Bizarre Royale, Wu affiliate Killah Priest and Big Daddy Kane, but there were many more hip-hop heads in the house, on and offstage. First up, Raheim from Furious Five announced Hip-Hop 101 was in session by kicking a fresh freestyle. Next Pumpkin Head, who just so happens to resemble his name, and his crew dropped old and new songs to promote his EP, “A Beautiful Mind.” Kurtis Blow jumped on stage next and the old school vet spit some brand-new rhymes.
By the time DMX’s first artist on his Bloodline Records, Bizarre Royale was up, the house was packed with everyone from the Arsonists to Dana Dane. Bizarre delivered what he promised, something different: a crazed mix of rap/metal complete with raging guitar samples and wailing vocals. He shared mic time with another Bloodline artist Loose, a taller, bigger version of DMX. Killah Priest came up and kicked tracks from “Heavy Mental” and new ones from his coming-soon joint, “Black August.” Staying true to the Lyricist Lounge vibe, a handful of MCs got the chance to freestyle before the headliner. Steele from Cocoa Brovas, Percee P, A.L. (All Lyrics), an unknown singer named Savoy and MTV’s “Lyricist Lounge” cast members Punchline and Wordsworth. Their clever lines were much appreciated, including Punch’s “my rhymes are tight like Mos Def’s clothes.”
Grandmaster Caz spit a serious set of bars, proving he’s still got it and then Mister Cee from Hot 97 introduced the Prince of Darkness. Running through his list of classics, “Ain’t No Half Steppin’,” “Raw,” “The Wrath Of Kane,” “Warm It Up, Kane” and the finale “Smooth Operator,” the original Brooklyn MC didn’t miss a lyric or lose steam during his 30-plus minute set. He held a moment of noise for fallen soldiers, Jam Master Jay, Tupac, Big Pun, Freaky Tah, Biggie and Big L, and then reminisced over classics like Audio Two’s “Top Billin’.” Don’t sleep–it’s still a Big Daddy Thing as Kane readies to release his next indie CD.
