Live Review: Haiku d’Etat feat. Myka 9, Aceyalone and Abstract Rude w/ guests – May 8, Portland, OR
May 10th, 2009 Filed under: Reviews - Live by admin
(Photo – Amalia J. Nickel)
Live Review: Haiku d’Etat feat. Myka 9, Aceyalone and Abstract Rude w/ guests
May 8, 2009
Berbati’s Pan, Portland, OR
Mykah 9, Abstract Rude and Aceyalone – Mike, Aaron and Eddie respectively – brought every possible permutation to the stage as Haiku d’Etat, The A-Team and The Freestyle Fellowship rocked it for hours. For a mere $13, incidentally the same price as a double vodka and Redbull at Berbati’s Pan in Portland, fans were treated to the profound, the profane and the prophetic lyricism of L.A.’s finest.
Project Blowed newcomer Nocando hosted the night, bringing some young blood into a family of veterans. Rounding up the crowd into a circle on the floor, he spread the love and cracked some moderately funny jokes, definitely succeeding in warming the crowd to his charismatic style. DJ Drez help down the beats seamlessly all night with jazzy tones and nostalgic funk, an alchemist of the ones and twos.
Mykah 9 was up first: he’s a mesmerizing performer and words fell from his mouth in such haphazard fashion that it was always a surprise when his ideas came together in perfect unity. Aceyalone was timeless as usual, fulfilling the dreams of party people everywhere and plucking out hits from his extensive career. Ab Rude focused heavily on his introspective new album Rejuvenation, throwing in a few old favorites like “Coolin’.”
After the solo sets the fun really began: The A-Team (Ace and Ab) proceeded to “Show ‘em a Better Way” with some upbeat poetry. The Freestyle Fellowship (sans P.E.A.C.E. and Self Jupiter) brought out some of the classics that were instrumental in the formation of the West Coast sound: “Cornbread” remains relevant today, asking “Where in the hell did the hip-hop go?”
And then, finally, Mykah the jazz, Acey the poet and Ab the soul came together as the triumvirate Haiku d’Etat. Their distinct sound arises from the balance between each individual: they’re unpredictable in form yet consistent in lyrical depth, ass-shaking beats and flawless delivery. The emotive and perceptive “All Good Things” probably made a few girls sad but “GB in Your Life” reminded them that there are in fact Good Brothers out there. The self-hype of “Firecracker” brought up the energy while the inevitable “Mike, Aaron and Eddie” showcased razor-sharp flows.
“Still Rappin’” confirmed to the audience that yes, there may be some greys on those heads but Haiku d’Etat is nowhere near finished: the poetry takeover has just begun.
Copyright © 2004-2009 ABORT Magazine. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of this publication, in whole or in part, in any form or medium without express written permission from Abort Media Publishing Corporation (AMP Corp.) is prohibited. All use is subject to our Terms of Use.
Related posts
One Response to “Live Review: Haiku d’Etat feat. Myka 9, Aceyalone and Abstract Rude w/ guests – May 8, Portland, OR”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
[...] Mykah 9, Abstract Rude and Aceyalone – Mike, Aaron and Eddie respectively – brought every possible permutation to the stage as Haiku d’Etat, The A-Team and The Freestyle Fellowship rocked it for hours. For a mere $13, incidentally the same price as a double vodka and Redbull at Berbati’s Pan in Portland, fans were treated to the profound, the profane and the prophetic lyricism of L.A.’s finest. [read more] [...]