Live Review: Elements of Hip Hop Vol. 1 – Feat. Rahzel, DJ Muggs, Supernatural, DJ JS-1 and DJ Qbert
March 29th, 2009 Filed under: Reviews - Live by admin
(Photo - Jamie Sands)
Live Review – Elements of Hip Hop Vol. 1: Feat. Rahzel, DJ Muggs, Supernatural, DJ JS-1 and Q-Bert
Thursday, March 26th, 2009
Gossip Nightclub, Vancouver
First of all, Gossip Nightclub should be called “Interrogation Nightclub” this lame, chi chi club whose dress code prohibits ball caps etc…is out of their fucking mind. To be frisked at the door like you’re going to trial, then have your ID scanned and photo snapped by a security camera, (Are we to assume a bottle in the face at Richards on Richards is the preferred check-in? -Ed) only to enter the venue (whose decor is more suited to an “All-male environment) to the opening verse of “Sound of Tha Police” is a clear sign that Hip Hop has come so full circle that it’s head is not only up it’s ass, but coming out it’s mouth. And from the pallid, decidedly non Hip Hop crowd dancing rhythmically on the lit up floor, it was immediately apparent that the marketing of Hip Hop culture to the masses has commodified it to the point where the rebelliousness and energy at it’s core are nothing more than optional flavours to those raised on radio “Hip Hop lite”. It was comforting and unbelievable all at once when Muggs and Supernatural were subjected to the same treatment at the door, Muggs finally losing it when they asked him for ID, saying – “I’ll fucking walk out of here!!!”
Despite these hurdles, the artists came to put on a show, and perform they did. Most in attendance were surely well acquainted with Muggs’ cinematic hardcore productions for Cypress Hill, but few knew the level of skill he possesses on the Wheels of Steel – let’s just say the man’s nice with the hands. Tearing into a set that mixed Cypress with Led Zeppelin and Nirvana, to Rage Against the Machine, juggling beats with unerring accuracy, and scratching it up like a murderous jungle cat backwards, frontwards, with his crotch…A flawless ear for flow combined with a pummeling and unstoppable downbeat made for a demonstration of DJ skills that was heavy, mind blowing and danceable all at once. Representing for the Soul Assassins family, Muggs lived up to the name by murdering the decks and slaying all in attendance, leaving dropped jaws and gaping mental wounds in his wake.
Possibly the world’s greatest freestyler - Supernatural followed with a short set demonstrating his ability to rock lyrics off the top spontaneous, with serious crowd control skills and mad energy. Using his technique to explain his art through flow, Supernat rocked on topics provided by the audience and anything at hand, weaving seamless lines in a mostly East Coast Boom Bap cadence with his characteristically spiritual vibes and cherubic grin. A scientist of mental elevation, Supernatural represents for the highest aspects of emceeing.
Rahzel, the “Godfather of Noyze” took the stage like a prizefighter, a large and mysterious presence slowly emerging through the sound system as the mix was adjusted to register the full range of his talent. Repping tracks from his 2000 solo album “Make the Music” and 2004′s “Rahzel’s Greatest Knockouts”, he confirmed that his skills are not only intact, but ever developing into a wider range of sound. Able to reproduce nearly all of the elements of Hip Hop beats, (sometimes including the vocal line), Rahzel has elevated one of Hip Hop’s original elements into an art worthy of worldwide respect.
With DJ JS-1 from the Rocksteady Crew holding it down between sets, this showcase had some great moments of inspired artistry. Next time let’s see it somewhere that real heads can feel at ease without the threat of corporate promoters. (like the ones who just merged with Tickemaster? – Ed)
Honourable Mentions go out to:
DJ Brukout, Silverwaters, Emotionz and the ABORT TV crew
Our apologies to DJ Q-bert whose set we missed due to us being double booked that night. He played last on the bill and from what we heard, absolutely killed it live! – Ed
CHECK BACK FOR OUR EXCLUSIVE ABORT TV INTERVIEWS WITH DJ MUGGS AND RAHZEL
By Dave “I love a good pat-down” McCallum
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[...] decks and slaying all in attendance, leaving dropped jaws and gaping metal wounds in his wake.” According to a review of his last set on http://www.abortmag.com. Muggs is also preparing to release the third Soul Assassins album, Intermission on June 23, 2009 [...]