or the past year, Northside Records (and Guinness Stout) have showcased
the metro area hip-hop scene at State of the Union. State of the Union has
been notorious for a plethora of diverse musical events, and over the past
few years, their ability to caters to the Hip Hop scene has strengthened.
The Northside Records Hip Hop Showcase however, has taken it to a completely
other level.
Every second Saturday, of every month for the last 12 months, local artists
have been given the opportunity to bless the mic. This event is unlike
other hip hop showcases, or open mic's in that we, the true, unadulterated
heads can shine, elevate, and rock the crowd in one place, with peace and
love being the common denominators: No this is not overly esoteric. THIS IS
THE REAL HIP HOP.
Our culture originated with love, peace and happiness at the core of its
foundation. And this showcase proved that. Most times, when you get a lot of
cats in a small room, particularly cats that rhyme, there is going to be
some type of friction or static. Dynamic forces filled the spot, and all
those present came with the unified mind, and all intentions to rock.
Heads came from all parts of the east coast to show out. The Coalition of
Baltimore, 85 Live, based in New Jersey. The doors open at 7. Of course, at
that hour, most of us are still napping, preparing for the events later in
the evening (or morning for that matter). A crowd steadily developed close
to the stage as the evening progressed. Is it Nat Turner and Friends, reborn
and chillin at State of the U, or is it the local headz who thirst and
thrive off of independent hip-hop and freestyle fornication.
The Coalition began their set with a nyabinghi, acappella chant, starting
off slow, soft and steady, and rapidly increasing to a raunchy, hard-core
pace. Waxing politico, "Why do cops wanna cuff me?" quickly within the
chorus, reminding us of ourselves as the hip-hop masses, and also just the
plain underprivileged, and disenfranchised. "We so ugly...hungry" Not ugly
in the esoteric sense. But in the true sense of hip hop hunger. The hunger
to provide the effective flows, and feed the masses with them. Which is
exactly what they did...truly ones to watch (and respect).
85 Live blew up the spot with a different kind of vibe. As opposed to the
Coalition, 85 Live had a subtle effect, although just has deliberately
hard-core, there was an added element to balance their set; enter feline
energy. Roslyn, combined the high strung verbal antics of the rest of her
crew with her own brand of honesty, quickly noting the fact that "Hoes will
be hoes"; this is a priceless, yet simple statement often unheard in the
current mire of overt female sexuality and women who are no longer offended
by the term "hoe" and somehow relish in the overly used verbiage. Derrick
Mingo, Founder & CEO of Kengosha Entertainment, home of 85 Live, expressed
that all members of the group also intend to go dolo. That is a testiment to
an artist's ability. The strength and stamina displayed by 85 live
instigated raw excitement and synergy with the audience. New Jeru has held
it down again.
Another added bonus...just when you thought it couldn't get better. Videos
of the tapes are available from Northside Records, and over the next few weeks, digital
footage will be present at capitolvibes.com
