Monday night saw the coming of one of the true pioneers of hip-hop grace the Bluebird Theatre stage. The hip-hop concert review duo of LostClaws and La Prima were out to catch last night’s action.
De La Soul-Dog Eat Dog [mp3]
Once and a good while everybody recognizes classic hip hop in Denver, CO. 20 years young Del La Soul blessed us with their presence again. On a mystic Monday night, at the Bluebird Theatre, me and by good friends were blessed to experience one of hip hop cornerstones. Imagine this, you take an epic hip hop’s strongholds, add a living room, a couple hundred souls that share the same love as you do, add a sick DJ, and you might come close the experience that was felt at the De La Soul concert Monday night.
But I’m getting ahead of myself. Let’s start with the appetizer. The first act was Mainline, an up and coming group that has helped put (real) hip-hop on the map in our mile high city. I remember when these kids were first starting at herbs for open mic night 10 years ago. They were raw and hungry, basically just a bunch of high school kids who had a talent to rhyme. It’s nice to see that the same hunger and power is still there. They have perfected their beats, sharpened their rhymes and have endured, giving a good solid show.
The next experience that was given was Kenan Bell. This soulful brother has a distinctively fresh sound with a great band. The combination of honesty, old skool break beats and euro rock, Kenan Bell not only shows how music can successfully mash up, He shows how originality should always be at the forefront of an artist mind. Their sound and performance reminded us that it’s a love of music and all of it’s different genres that distinguishes artist like Kenan Bell and De La Soul from the others.
We could not move on with the night with out a sample of De La Soul’s up and coming, Billy Ray! Billy is a good idea of hip- hop without any type of judgment! I say this because it goes to show on and on again that hip-hop has no judgment on talent. This man CRUSHED IT! Bringing back the heavy mc!!! Not only a fresh and hype delivery, this mans freestyles were fresh to def. Words were on point and a good glimpse of what was to come!
The time has come now to deliver the truth of the evening my hip-hop heads! If you were not there then I have to say without a doubt you probably missed out on one of the most intimate shows of your life. This was a show not about how close you were, or how much hip-hop you know; this was a show to remember and respect DE LA SOUL! Hands down a one on one experience of good vibes and great songs! Not only did this hip-hop trio remind us of classics of “Breakadwan”, “Pot Hole in my Lawn”, and “Me, My Self and I”, they illustrated how a hip-hop act can respect it’s roots by honoring James Brown, the Godfather of Soul. De La continued by recreating a devastating opus by intertwining James Brown’s “Soul Power” and De La Soul’s “Stake is High.” This unreleased joint brought back two classic songs that were remixed with new lyrics. The combination was so remarkable it made our ears go numb!
It was amazing to me that after all these years and shows Posdnuos, Dave, and Maseo still have the vibe and chemistry to deliver an epic show! To be able to stand at a show like this, up front, live and in color and experience the raw De La Soul was a feeling like no other. They mingled and embraced the crowd, played their entire mix-media from “De La Soul is Dead” to “Stakes is High” to the “Grind Date”; a true feat and a beautiful way to start the week
Thank God for real hip-hop!
* Words by LostClaws
* Pictures by La Prima
