The concept of changes in Hip Hop has become old news just like Jay-Z’s retirement. The truth remains that the lifestyle of Hip Hop has undergone some changes but mostly remained true to what it’s always been. The music of Hip Hop has evolved or rather sublimated beyond what anyone could have predicted years ago. Is it a good thing or a bad thing? There are opinions to support both views coming from just about everyone who has ever come in touch with it. One thing is certain, whether you support the ‘good old times’ or keep your dial constantly on Hot 97, hoping that your favorite rapper will beat out Chamillionare in their current rotation, the old school Hip Hop is where it begun and where it is a lot of the time even now.
With Hip Hop going as far back as the early 70’s, the 90’s saw the cream of the crop when it comes to non-commercial Hip Hop music. A few of the stars from the 90’s got together and toured the country with their new albums, proving that ‘old school Hip Hop’ is just an expression. Raekwon and Redman were joined by the Guinness Book of Records notable Supernatural, BK’s finest Boot Camp Click, Keith Murray and DJ Kool.
The stage was so overwhelmingly packed with talent that it becomes nearly impossible to reflect it all properly, but here it goes.
Boot Camp Click started it off. From Tek and Steele to Sean Price and Buckshot, from Smif-N-Wessun to Heltah Skeltah, this is NYC Hip Hop for all of ya who got lost watching too much BET. For those who know what’s good for us all and for Hip Hop in general, read on!
BCC puts on a party like very few others. A supergroup with more talent than some ever seen, they make sure to keep their fans entertained with that REAL music and that REAL Hip Hop emotion. Whether it’s Buckshot’s swagger or Sean P.’s booming voice, they make music for the masses and reflect what happens in people’s minds, not only on their blocks. Their albums sell but their essence does not sell out. With so very few people still keeping it real and yet stay fresh in their music, BCC’s role in Hip Hop does the much needed justice to rap itself.
Supernatural stepped on stage and instantly gave that true definition of Hip Hop spitting. His rhythm and rhyme knows no boundaries. His mind stays strong and fluid to help demonstrate the power of his words. A true battle MC, he took his battles with Craig G. to the next level and was placed in the Guinness Book of World Records for the longest freestyle ever, over 9 hours long! Now he has a new album and while a lot of his fans are not used to hearing his songs, he offers something fresh and new with that.
His time on stage is always characteristically known for playing with words. He offered different scenarios for that in this show. Mimicking other rapper’s voices, from Slick Rick to Big Daddy Kane, he put fire in the audience. Then, showing off his freestyling ability, he picked up various objects from the crowd and spit hilarious and sharp rhymes about that.
What’s the future hold for this rap phenomenon? Watching him on stage is a truly mesmerizing experience like no other. Will his album become the success every MC needs or will Supernat always be limited to being a stage performer? In either case, his abilities are undisputed and his fans will eat up just about everything he has to offer.
Raekwon’s presence on stage is always nothing short of simply amazing. His lyrical prowess and his depth of understanding for Hip Hop is unmatched by most. Still, stepping out of the Wu camp, while keeping his allegiance always in the right place, he has created a following and a discography worthy of his name. Bringing that true essence of Hip Hop with him every time he steps on stage, Rae offers a trip to the future and a reminisce of the past at the same time. Only built for Hip Hop and bringing us Cuban Linx II, the Chef remembers his fans. Doing more shows in NYC than any other Wu member, he keeps the Wu spirit, the ODB name and Hip Hop as a whole alive like no other. His mind stays sharp, his rhymes are witty and his commitment to the game makes him that true NYC mike killer!
You can read his interview with WNT from a recent show here.
When Redman got on stage it felt as if his legendary days of the 90’s never skipped a beat. Finding immense popularity with Eric Sermon, then Method Man and of course in his solo works, Redman carried his witty words, snappy beats and a sly smile with him through the years. His fan base hasn’t changed much. A bunch of beautiful ladies trying to connect their eyes with his… crazed kids rapping all of his songs right along… true NYC Hip Hop veterans, those ‘over 30’ dudes, eating up every moment of his performance…
Red’s energy level has not changed. He’s still a man having fun on stage, toying with the crowd, being a fun and crafty MC. His look has remained the same with it. Sharp, clean shaved with a devious smile he got it there also. His songs stay consistently full of life and full of sense. Whether doing a classic that brought him fame or the new joints from his upcoming Red Gone Wild album, he seems to connect all the dots masterfully.
There is one change thou. Redman has grown. He has gone beyond being a Hip Hop artist.
WNT sits down with Redman after his NYC show to see what is new in his game, how he feels about some of the newer trends in music and what’s coming next.
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