Back to my roots...

It was Thursday night show. There I was rushing into the city, a my long trek from Suffolk county. I made it in the city on time but finding a parking spot was an absolute mess. Mayor Bloomberg is really trying to lock ish down. I mean I could not find a "free" parking spot for 40 minutes. Everyplace I turned it was Munipal Parking and I only had enough quarters to last me an hour and a half. All the spots where I used to park had new signs that wouldn't allow me to park. I found and empty spot and I dashed to get to Radio City. (Keep it real man!!) Okay I am not physically fit enough to make that 12 block sprint so I hailed a cab. I got there at 8:20. Ah man, Nas is on stage already. The crowd was amped I only heard 3 songs and he was ghost. THe Roots performed a bit and they are live an on point as usual but I was disappointed about missing some of the festivities. Rahzel played the role of hype man. Malik B was missing as usual. and the rest of the band was there including my favorite DJ ever, DJ Jazzy Jeff on the one and two.(minus the fresh prince). I am hipped to the game I must have seen the roots perform like 12 times in the past 7 years. I knew they would pull a rabbit out the hat. As Black thought went into "Boom" Big daddy kane comes out and kills his verse. It looked like they fumbled cause Kool G. Rap should have came out next. Kan looked over to stage right and no G. Rap. He continued to perform. Set off kane, Wrath of Kane. for an old schooler he had all the fans jumping. Kane steps off and The roots continue to Rock. They go into a new tune where Skillz ( he's not mad anymore) and someone else get on stage. Unfortunately the sound man was sleep. No volume. It looked like he was letting loose some serious stuff too. Jazzy Jeff did a DJ few tricks some which I recently learned. It was crazy.

Minutes later Common jumped out like he was on "speed". I mean he had a serious amount of energy. as he did "Go", "Testify", "I Used to love her". He freestyled and all he had a great response too.

Talib Kweli was not as medicore. I think they should have had Common close to last. Talib's show was good but I think its not the same doing "Definiton" with Mos. It was still early and most of the schedule acts had finished. Rahzel took the mic and did the most impossible performance ever without any electronic enhancements. It was bananas. Over all it was a decent show but not exactly what I expected. I thought I would see more suprises. I have to mention Kirk the newest member and guitar player was sick he did some Jimmy Hendruix ish that just surpised the fans including myself.

At end of the show Dave Chapelle and Eryka Badu came out to give hugs to the band. The show was dedicated to J. Dilla aka Jay Dee, super producer. He would have been pleased regardless of the obvious no shows.

My night was highlighted with a orange sheet on my windshield courtesty of NYPD, a ticket for $115.

Part two tomorrow.