ATTENTION: PSA HIP- HOP IS ALIVE AND KICKING
By: Bryonna Head for “The Blender with Miss DJ Gemz and DJ Tony Drake”
On November 17th, at the Barking Dog in College Park, Maryland, Hip-Hop was very much alive and kicking thanks to the tremendous amount of DMV talent that was present in the building. Hosted by the lovely Miss Amberly Ellis and B-more’s own Thomas Dawson, each act was very reminiscent of sweet years of 90’s hip hop. The show was put on by The Hip-Hop Corner and its host DJ Boss Player. We had the honor of being blessed with the techniques of 93.9 WKYS’s own DJ money as we were graced by the rhymes of the exceptional Logic, Phil Ade, Kool Klux Klan, Castro and Obii Say.
I can’t forget about the raw talent of the student organization at the University Of Maryland; Undergrounduates. They served as the opener to the show and the walking in entertainment. The cypher didn’t require the mixes of DJ Money. They had their own human beat boxer. He wasn’t a Biz Markie or Fat Boy but he certainly used his mouth and the mic to assists in the delivery of each freestyler. One thing I loved was the diversity. There were Black, White, Asian, and Hispanic crowd and stage participants. It was an example that Hip-Hop has no color. It only requires tight beats, vicious rhymes, talent, and passion. Hip-Hop is within your soul and heart and can be felt through the bass of the speakers.
First act up was C Dot Castro. He’s a crowd hyping rapper out of Gaithersburg, Maryland. With club bangers like Burglary, he certainly had the crowd rocking throughout his entire set. Next up was the A Tribe Called Quest reminiscent, Kool Klux Klan. Personally, I had never heard of them but I left Barking Dog a fan. Before they left the stage they had the whole crowd saying “Kool Klux Klan aint nothin to F*** wit”. Not only were their rhymes intriguing so was their stage presence. Whereas Castro had me hype, Kool Klux Klan had me two stepping. With crowd participation for Tyra is a hipster and hand claps for the freestyle during the technical difficulties, I can bet money that not one person left not knowing who the Kool Klux Klan was.
Obii Say moved me from two stepping to head bobbing. He was my Lupe Fiasco of the night. There weren’t any Kick Push’s or “Show goes on’s” but there were poetic lyrics being spit. He and Phil were my intellectual pieces for the night. I found myself listening to the words for their context rather than for their delivery. It was a beautiful thing. Before we got to Phil Ade there was Logic. The logically talented up and coming sensation straight out of the DMV gave us an excellent show and the opportunity to witness the future of rap. I’ve witnessed a Logic show on more than one occasion but every time I learn something new. This night I learned about his appreciation for his fans. There was a fan in the crowd that consistently yelled out a song he wanted Logic to perform and instead of sticking to his line up Logic took time to pause and acknowledge the fan and honor his request. I totally respect that because I know there have been plenty of times I’ve yelled out a song for an artist to perform and I never get to hear it. Last but not least, I got hype, two stepped, and head bobbed to Phil Ade. BET’s former Music Matter artist showed out that night. Being signed to Raheem DeVaughn’s 368 Music Group, Phil Ade definitely put on a versatile set. With jams for the ladies and bangers for the fellas, no one was left out. Maybe I’m a little bias because his hit Always there was once my ringtone but I think he was the right person to close out this Hip-Hop experience.
If you missed this show you missed out on real Hip-Hop and true lyricism. It is very rare that each act has a way with words in a showcase but it was present in the Barking Dog that night. Believe me when I tell you HIP-HOP LIVES and it showed its face in College Park. But have no fear; SUPPORT these artists and purchase their projects. I know in a time of tight pockets and penny pinching you may not always want to but your music but trust me when I say your ears will thank you.
Until Next Time,
Peace Love and Hip-Hop
