I have no trouble admitting that I’m real glad to be back in Killa Kali. I missed everything about this beautiful city. I missed the ocean. I missed the Mexican food. I missed the Mexicans. It’s funny because when I was in New York or Chicago and saw a Mexican (really, only identifiable by the shirts that said “Mexico” on it) I felt like I was seeing a distant relative (only that I might get jacked or jumped for not being Mexican). But for real, I went to a Mexican food joint in Chicago late night Sunday and saw they had carnitas and al pastor on their menu so I was like, “Firme!” I get the al pastor nachos, walk back to the lab to grub down and opened the container. I should’ve taken a picture but I was too drunk to think about it. Well, the al pastor I swear was some pollo asada, it came with tomatoes, store bought tortilla chips, and NACHO (muthafucking) cheese. What? No real cheese? I should’ve known better because that authentic Mexican food also boasted a menu of authentic Pizza and authentic Hot Dogs. And when I asked if they had any Tapatio or Cholula they were looking at me like I was some type of crazy chino.
Sunday in Chicago was insane. I got in touch with a girl that I met a month ago (at your BBQ, Andrew) that lives there and is into hip hop. So, she took me out to this Zune concert thing that was dope...Little Brother, Bilal and Kweli performed. Rumor had it Mos was also going to perform with Black Star again. I was going ape shit over it. I mean, right when Raleigh brought forth the magic that LB are being that I was really, really into BS. Wow! I almost cream puffed my pants. So I was standing near the back of the front of the stage (you know what I’m saying, at the back of the front section, where like if shots rang you could still run and jump a fence and bounce without feeling pressured for being a snitch when the cops show up) and saw this one cat smoking the herb. Now a week into my trip I was like, “Dude, I’m quitting. I want to do this writing gig and I need to focus.” But of course I became another VICTIM of circumstance. I had to see what Chitown was like. It was aweeee(yawn)ite. Nah, it was decent and it was free. But after two bowls and a pound and little dosie of that pat on the back quick, manly hug thing I bounced. The girl I was with then hooked it up with some backstage passes so we went to go grub on some Chitown BBQ, drink some dranky drank and just chill out. Of course I had to go speak my mind to some of the performers. So I got to see/engage with: Little Brother, Bilal, Black Star and Rhymefest. Turned out that the big baller that was responsible for hooking me up and throwing the event and I are connected. 10 years ago (fuck, Roy, can you believe it’s been that long) I ran with this street team that is based out of LA (N5!) and the dude (named Chris) used to collab with our crew back in the day. Beautiful how small the hip hop community really is. I felt a big sense of pride and a little bit of shame. It sucks that I had to fall out of the game and give in to the reality of life. I commended him for pushing the art forward and continuing to bring real hip hop to the masses. I swear, I’m committed to doing helping the culture elevate (hopefully keeping the corporate politics and bullshit to a minimum). Side note, props to Jerico for pushing for Mos to appear in one of the PSP ads. Mike, as a producer I’m sure you do your thing too. Well after that big ol festival, we went to go see this band that Chris was managing at the Double Room in Wicker Park. I really wasn’t feeling the group (named BSTC or something) so I told him what I thought Ozomatli had that they didn’t or what I feel they could do to make the sound more compelling (adding vocals, per se). But Elaine (the girl that hooked me up) was like, “Yeah some girl name Rez is also performing. But I think she goes by Reece.” Damn! Res headlined it; pretty dope and sexy neo soul act, so it really just blew my mind.
I met a lot of cool cats that Sunday night. Real hip hop, mature hip hop heads (not a backpacker in sight) and a smoky, dark lounge. In between acts, the DJ started off with “My Posse’s On Broadway” and this cat this is the conversation that took place:
Cat: Aww, you don’t know this shit, it’s a little too raw.
Me: What? Sir fucking Mix A Lot from Seattle? You going to tell me I don't know this shit? (Roy, didn’t we promote one of his wack ass albums)?
Cat: Yeah man. He’s from Seattle?
Me: Hell yeah (I’m not even too sure, but I said it with so much conviction I could’ve said he was from Candyland and it would’ve been believable). Man, the only reason anyone besides white chicks loving that “Baby Got Back” song ever listened to him was because his songs bumped like a motherfucker! You don’t even have to like his rhyming, when hear that bass drop you’re like “damn!!!!!!!!!!!!” It alters your heart rate. And you know by the time he came out, we were all tired of listening to that weird ass reversed Beastie Boys bass drop. Shit, I remember connecting them 8 ohm, house speakers to my amp just so I could bump. What you talking about?
Then we just busted up laughing. Then, Rakim (I Know You Got Soul), Gangstarr (You Know My Steez), Eastflatbush Project (Tried By Twelve), EPMD (Crossover), Goodie Mob (Cell Therapy) and Beat Nuts (Do You Believe) all came on; I proceeded to mouth the words while he was left a little dumbfounded. To that I told him, “Aww..you don’t know this shit. It’s a little too raw.”
You wanna fuck what? Jump up and get bucked. If you’re feeling lucky duck, then press your luck.
-- Sonnyred
http://www.box.net/shared/sbxslyvzmx
By the way, if you guys like this joint, then I suggest you buy the entire album. It’s dope. Pharoah Monche even got a great review in The Onion (and you know how Hip Hop the Onion is). But sure crowd pleaser with the nod to Public Enemy and what not. I was bumping this album my entire trip. It’s dope! He’s the only MC that I think might be able to stand a chance against Eminem (and that’s just a maybe). But the way he rhymes and plays with words, damn lyrical genius.
Here are some pics from my bunk ass camera phone:
Talib Kweli
Bam! Fucking surprise performance with Jean Grae (my second favorite female MC, ever. Second to Lauryn Hill of course..and no, L Boogie is not racist against white folks).
Nice Chicago Folks at Union Square Park
Black Star. At this point, Mos Def was yelling “Lordddddddddd” right before breaking into Definition. The song that really defined my love for hip hop. Back in 96, hearing the song (I sent it before so check your iTunes). I think this song epitomizes the peak of underground hip hop. What kind of sucks it that Mos Def totally fucking hogged it up at the end of the night; doing his eclectic shit and not doing as many classics or Black Star shit. Mos, you’re artistic and talented, but learn from your homie Common’s “Electric Circus” album. You can’t do what Andre 3000 does, end of story.
This is the group that the dude Chris is managing. BCTS or something like that. I’d say use the acronym only after they’ve gained more fanfare; until then when people hear your name all they’ll be able to think about is ordering a sandwich with bacon, lettuce and tomato. Add some vocals. And as for the sexy saxophone solos, if you ain’t John Coltrane, then you’re Kenny G.
Res performing at the Double Door. Funny thing, her song “Golden Boy” is about Mos Def, who actually fathered her baby. And they were in the same city at different venues. Maybe they hooked up.
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