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Talib Kweli & Substance (May 14)
After missing the Brand Nubian show a few days earlier, I had to get my live hip hop fix on... Luckily, I caught word that Substance was going to be on stage. I hadn't seen them since 2011, which seems totally absurd. Anyhow, it was long overdue.
As expected, they did another great job on stage. From my POV, they went back to the 1st mixtape (Muzik) vibe and showcased strong beats and tight flows. The 2nd album (Abuse) was too much of a nod to the new school beats and lazier flows that you hear on the radio. Dat Business and Ill Gordon are way above that. The balcony went crazy when they did a rhyme over a modified "Above the clouds" beat. [Ok, maybe it was just me and the guy next to me] That's the Substance I like! I can't wait for the album to be released. Of course, "Lakeshore Nights" and "Smooth it out" were a "must performs". Sadly, I didn't hear "Eeeee", "Rough Rugged and Raw", "Good things" and a few others from my favorite Substance Album. Then again, the new stuff was great, so I'm good.
As a hip hop head, it is inexcusable that I don't know more of Talib Kweli's music. I know him from several different albums, but I've criminally slept on his solo work. That said, any hip hop with a live band it good with me. There were several things I appreciated most about his show. Kids that go on stage and act like they're in a Scarface movie could learn from a vet like Kweli. Here's what youngsters should take from his show (my opinion):
First, show love and gratitude to the crowd. Know that they've been waiting for you and you are here for them, not the other way around. Second, show love for your supporting cast - whether its a band or a DJ. Know that very few MCs (like KRS ONE or One Be Lo, for example) can rhyme acapella, so you need them. Third, give a nod to the other artists that you like. It's not all about you. Kweli did a short tribute to Wu and the W's went up. It's ok to be a fan too. Finally, show a range of styles. Substance's flows and beats are diverse -- that's what I mean. In this case, Kweli left the stage and came out for a curtain call. He proceeded to "rock out" with his band and do some Rock/ Metal-ish stuff. The crowd was all over it. I didn't recognize the songs, but I was apparently the only one. Be a student of the arts. Again, it's not all about you.
Anyway, I really enjoyed my night, after a slight mixup on me getting my gear into Metro. Until next time...
Photos are not locked. Please keep the watermark if you share 'em
Read MoreAs expected, they did another great job on stage. From my POV, they went back to the 1st mixtape (Muzik) vibe and showcased strong beats and tight flows. The 2nd album (Abuse) was too much of a nod to the new school beats and lazier flows that you hear on the radio. Dat Business and Ill Gordon are way above that. The balcony went crazy when they did a rhyme over a modified "Above the clouds" beat. [Ok, maybe it was just me and the guy next to me] That's the Substance I like! I can't wait for the album to be released. Of course, "Lakeshore Nights" and "Smooth it out" were a "must performs". Sadly, I didn't hear "Eeeee", "Rough Rugged and Raw", "Good things" and a few others from my favorite Substance Album. Then again, the new stuff was great, so I'm good.
As a hip hop head, it is inexcusable that I don't know more of Talib Kweli's music. I know him from several different albums, but I've criminally slept on his solo work. That said, any hip hop with a live band it good with me. There were several things I appreciated most about his show. Kids that go on stage and act like they're in a Scarface movie could learn from a vet like Kweli. Here's what youngsters should take from his show (my opinion):
First, show love and gratitude to the crowd. Know that they've been waiting for you and you are here for them, not the other way around. Second, show love for your supporting cast - whether its a band or a DJ. Know that very few MCs (like KRS ONE or One Be Lo, for example) can rhyme acapella, so you need them. Third, give a nod to the other artists that you like. It's not all about you. Kweli did a short tribute to Wu and the W's went up. It's ok to be a fan too. Finally, show a range of styles. Substance's flows and beats are diverse -- that's what I mean. In this case, Kweli left the stage and came out for a curtain call. He proceeded to "rock out" with his band and do some Rock/ Metal-ish stuff. The crowd was all over it. I didn't recognize the songs, but I was apparently the only one. Be a student of the arts. Again, it's not all about you.
Anyway, I really enjoyed my night, after a slight mixup on me getting my gear into Metro. Until next time...
Photos are not locked. Please keep the watermark if you share 'em
