I waited weeks for this show…..That era! The Golden Days of Hip Hop - late 80’s early 90’s- yeah I was like 10!! Whatever…….. I was DJ’ing on the radio in Atlanta in the early 90’s and I was able to play all that dope vinyl that came out of East Coast and W.Coast.. I was like a kid in a candy store and when I went last night to see 2 of my favorite legendary classic groups from back in the day- Black Moon and Smif N Wessun. Not only did they rock their classics ‘ Enta Da Stage’ and ‘Da Shinin’- beginning to end but….They rocked with a live band! I knew pretty much all the musicians……Chris Rob on keys, Anu Sun on Drums, Leron Thomas on trumpet and the bass player- well I didn’t know him and don’t remember his name but he was wicked - the combination of those players/musicians was ridiculous!

I gave Leron Thomas his first gig in NY at Joe’s Pub a few years back when nobody would book him…..Now he’s blown up….. I booked an Anu Sun- Tribe Called Quest Tribute that was sick back at Joe’s Pub too….So many great shows went down when I booked the Late Night Series 2003-2005….

Ok- so back to last night- a historic time in Hip Hop….It took place at The Knitting Factory…..Shouts to Peter Agoston for the guestlist action….. I went with my girl Sharon Carpenter(BET)- we got there mad early but- it was all good because we listened to Mr. Walt (Da Beatminerz) throw down classics one by one party jams!!! He built up to the climax- the anticipation and suspense was crazy!!! There was a back drop of memorabilia from Duck Down, Da Beatminerz, Evil Dee, Black Moon, Smif N Wessun like Source covers, Ego Trip, etc; I can’t tell you how nostalgic I felt and how much reminiscing I did….Was reminded of my b-girl days and the Hip Hop head I was - Wait!! Still am but there’s nothing like that feeling……Anymore….

So Mr. Walt is amping the crowd with the Wu-Tang, Nas, Snoop, MOP, Pharcyde, EPMD, Biz Markie, Gang Starr, Eric B and Rakim, Pete Rock and C.L Smooth, Tribe- you get the picture……then……DJ EVIL DEE comes to the stage- gets his musical selecting ready- grabs the mic- pumps the crowd- at this point- everyone’s twisted– going crazy - The Knit is packed….Like a sea of people with not a hole or space anywhere- it was heating up- getting hot as hell but everyone is mad lovely having fun and the vibe beautiful! This is Hip Hop at its ESSENCE- In its GLORY!

At this point- about 11PM Tek and Steele of Smif N Wessun ‘Enta Da Stage’- no pun intended. The audience is jumping up and down and chanting all the lyrics….There was so much energy….Steele is in bright yellow gear- first off- they’re fully dressed in thick jackets, hats, etc; by the 3rd song - most of it was off!!! Steele is looking good! Damn- they both are……..OMG- then Buckshot sneaks up on stage with his backpack, funky shades and a mic! He got busy!!! Ok so we didn’t have 5FT - something about him being locked up! Damn- couldn’t he wait- but– Buckshot held it down- He represented to the fullest….. Dru Ha joined him on stage and chanted blasted out on the mic too giving that extra Rah Rah!!! Dru Ha is legend in himself- started Duck Down w/ Buckshot and pretty much runs everything.

I was hella impressed when Dru jumped into the crowd….Stage Dived I should say– Moshed and then Crowd Surfed. Damn I wish I had my camera….Both Shaz and I left our cameras at home….So many moments!!!

Dru Ha Crowd Surfed for almost an entire song— I think it was ‘Buck Em Down’ if I’m not mistaken…. When they went into ‘How Many MC’s must get Dissed’ is when Havoc jumped up on stage….Havoc- Was not expecting that-

Back to Smif N Wessun- when they did ‘Sound Bwoy’- all the W.Indian crew started getting rowdy- pumping their fists, doing the sing a long- Booyaka was being screamed out throughout the entire song…..

The band was smoking…. Evil Dee would come off the decks and be the maestro! Was like conducting an orchestra- it was great to see Dee like that….

At this point it’s close to 1am and the crowd is still amped in fact even more- tons of energy- it’s hot, we’re sardines packed to the gills and we want more! They ended the show with the 2 all time classic joints….. ‘Let’s Git It On’ and ‘Who Got Da Props’. OMG!!!

That’s all I can say…

I’m still recovering…..I’m still so high!!!! A natural high of course:-=)
Forget to mention that Travis from Gym Class Heroes jumped up on stage for a song too……

Was great to see some heads I hadn’t seen in ages like Ace Lover, Cynical, Tamir Brown, Frank Torro, Timani and others….

The Knitting Factory is closing its doors end of Dec…Talk about end of an era too!!!! I will be chilling at The Knit for the last few memorable classic shows!!! Can’t believe it’s over! I mean they’re moving to a new spot in Williamsburg but will they be supporting Hip Hop the same!!!

This entry was posted on Sunday, November 9th, 2008 at 5:42 pm and is filed under Commentary, EVENTS, Music, NEWS. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.