Hip hop legends De La Soul recently lit up CrossroadsKC at Grinders for a set at Middle of the Map Fest 2017. Check out this live version of the classic “Buddy.”
Posts Tagged ‘Hip hop’
Beasting It Up with Doo Wap Rapper Second Hand King at Middle of the Map Fest 2017
May 9, 2017I met up with Kansas City-based doo wap rapper Second Hand King for a live interview during Middle of the Map Fest 2017. We chatted it up and Secondhand King serenaded unsuspecting passersby with his glorious vibes.
The Doo Wap Rap Vibes of Second Hand King at Josey Records During Middle of the Map Fest 2017
May 9, 2017
Second Hand King at Josey Records During Middle of the Map Fest 2017, 5/6/17
Kansas City-based doo wap rapper Second Hand King recently played a set at the Do816 day party at Josey Records during Middle of the Map Fest 2017. Second Hand King’s verbose lyricism and inventive fusion of sounds make him an artist to watch. Check out this live clip.
My Thoughts on G-Easy and Success.
January 14, 2016
G-Easy at the Midland, 1/12/16
Walking up to the massive crowd lined up for the G-Easy show on Tuesday night, my mind was blown. He had sold out the 3,000 capacity Midland Theater, in Kansas City, months in advance. The crowd was mostly young white kids, between the ages of 13 and 19. It was like a teen riot outside the Midland.
I went to college with G-Easy, at Loyola University New Orleans. His fashion sense was always over the top and he had a vision for himself even back then. I hadn’t seen G-Easy live in at least eight years. The Oakland-based rapper has improved greatly since his NOLA days.
It seems like the mainstream has really caught up to G-Easy. His rapping was strong and on-point all night and the beats were fresh and lush. Backed by a drummer and a DJ, he rapped with confidence and ability throughout his show. His stage set up had a very NOLA vibe. The Saint bar scene was a nice shout out to the CBD dive bar. It was like some amped up version of NOLA run through the G-Easy filter.
G-Easy at the Midland, 1/12/16
Over the years, G-Easy has stayed focused on his vision of grinding hard and moving towards success. His party-centric music seems true to who he is as a person. His music feels like a natural extension of himself and he’s not trying to be a poser. Maybe that’s why he does so well with younger rap fans. He held the crowd’s attention during his 1 hour and 40 minute set. As local music critic Bill Brownlee put it in his review of the show, “The immediately accessible music is ideal for party-minded young adults who have outgrown the output of boy bands but aren’t yet prepared to embrace more challenging sounds.”
His style of rap might not be for everyone, but it’s great to see someone be successful and do what they love. You can hate all you want, but no one can argue with a sold out tour. Tech N9ne even joined him onstage in KC. That is some serious business. G-Easy is doing something right and knows his market. It’s amazing to see him go from the basement of the student center at Loyola to selling out a venue that holds 3,000 people in Kansas City. Never give up on your dreams and keep pushing forward. G-Easy knew that a long time ago.
G-Easy crowd at the Midland, 1/12/16
An Uncomfortable Question for White Hip Hop Fans.
January 14, 2016
A$AP Ferg (Image via RapDirect.com)
A local music journalist talked to me after A$AP Ferg’s opening set for G-Easy in Kansas City Tuesday night. “You went to school in New Orleans, I’m sure you have an opinion on this, ” he began. “The crowd here is 99 percent white. This might be an uncomfortable question, but how does it make you feel to hear 3,000 white kids shouting back the n-word to a black rapper when it’s in his lyrics?” “Not good,” I responded meekly.
Ferg’s set hit the crowd hard and the trap beats had them going wild. The sold out audience on this night was mostly young white kids, between the ages of 13 and 19. The nasty, excellent track “Shabba” completely smashed 3,000 people at the Midland. They loved every raunchy second and rapped along with each line.
A$AP Ferg Crowd, at the Midland, 1/12/16
I hope the kids learn someday. As a fan, you have to make the conscious choice. The question might be rough, but the answer is simple. Even in the sometimes trashy world of hip hop, as a fan and audience member, it is all about respect.
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