Hip Hop Live:B.O.B+David Banner+Talib Kweli

Talib Kweli+Phella+B.O.B

Phella (Croc Skin Creative) vs B.O.B. (Army Green Creative)

First off let me say this was one of the dopest shows I’ve been to all year. If you just like good live music, then this was the show for you. Here’s a recap of what went down.

I was actually on my way to the gym when Sickamore asked me to deliver Colin Munroe’s song to B.O.B who happened to be performing not too far from me. I get cleaned up, burn the cd and head over to the show.

The night starts off with a band called The Rhythm Roots All-Stars. They had the 10 piece on lock and they played for all 3 perfomers as well.

Next up was B.O.B. Most people probably know him from the “Haters” song but he’s actually got a lot more than that to offer. I heard the “Haters” record way before it came out and I thought it was a dope song but I also thought he would just be another artist chasing singles. This show proved me wrong. Imagine a younger Andre 3000 that can play the guitar. Yea I said Andre 3000, sue me. I know that’s high praise but if you were at the show you would co-sign. B.O.B ran through a set that included joints like “Mellow Fellow” and his new single “I’ll Be In The Sky”. He also let his man Playboy Tre run through some joints including an ill song called “Liquor Store Mascot”….lookout for him as well, I bumped his demo on the way home and he got music too.

Sidebar:My top 3 stageshows of 2008:1.Kanye West 2.Colin Munroe 3.B.O.B.

Him and Colin are similar in the sense that they both have tremendous range in their music. The collab should be one for the ages.

Like that wasn’t enough, Bob’s manager T.J. slides me backstage. Back there I kind of had an embarassing moment. Tabi Bonney was back there and it really really really looked like him but I wasn’t sure. So I kept looking like I should go say whats up, but you never wanna say whats up to the wrong person. I’m use to him having long hair, I didn’t know he cut his hair. Tabi Bonney is the first DC rapper, at least in my genration to get serious air play on MTV and VH1 and on national radio. He has his own style and his music is dope. I’ve been a fan for a while now, so Tab if you read this, accept my apology for not recognizing a pioneer.

After chopping it up for a bit, Talib Kweli walks into the room. I don’t get crazy excited anymore when I meet celebrities, but I do enjoy meeting people who do or have done great things. I’m big on acknowledging history and making history. Meeting Kweli was a true honor.

So I head over to the balcony and check out David Banner show. His show was dope too….he did classics like “Like A Pimp” and new joints like “Stuntin Is A Habit” and the Lil Wayne joint. My favorite had to be “Cadillacs On 22′s”…that song is bananas..especially live.

David Banner had the most energy. He’s drinking beers, handing out waters, jumping in and out of the crowd, all types of stuff. Then he gets off stage and he’s mad peaceful and humble. Shaking everyones hand and serving people orange juice backstage. Two different Banners on and off stage.

Then Kweli went up there and brought it home. “Hot Thing”, “Get By”, “Get Em High”, some Black Star joints and my personal favorite, “The Blast”. The crowd went crazy for Kweli. They chanted his name for like 10 mins after he got off stage…prompting him to return with the other acts and they freestyled over beats by The Rhythm Roots.

Dope night, dope show….now I’m mad inspired. As a talent rep, inspired that there’s still so much true talent out there. And as an artist, inspired that the people still embrace creativity that way.

Peace

Phell

Share on Facebook