It’s been awhile since I’ve given new hip-hop a serious listen. Growing up I couldn’t get enough of Rakim and Slick Rick, but as the new millennium opened, glam hip-hop and retreat themes from the earlier years really turned me off to the point that when Pun died (even in the decline of hip-hop, anyone big from the Bronx would get my attention), so did my attempts to keep up with the genre.

Last week, I got an e-mail from Jeff Fernandez asking if I would cover this concert. I had my reservations, but I also had nothing to lose, so after one call to my hip-hop aficionado friend I was in for the concert. That my favorite hip-hop act of the last decade, Black Star, was at the Chicago show (which you can read about here) only got me more excited for the show. Well, I made the right decision, and even though no Black Star was around (in Chicago but not Brooklyn? What?) this was still a great, loaded show.

First up was Joell Ortiz. My friend, Charlie, told me to take note here and he couldn’t have been more on point. Joell is a star in the making. He got the crowd warmed up with a mix of humor, a smooth flow and crowd interaction that’s hard to match. By the time he took some quick classic tracks from the likes of Biggie and Pun he had the crowd in the palm of his hand. He closed with “Hip-Hop” and spent the rest of the day enjoying the show and chatting with fans.

Joell on what it was like take hip-hop back to its roots with his style: He’s flattered with the comparison, but he’s just trying to make the kind of music he enjoyed coming up. It’s great to hear, but he’s not brining anything back, just making the kind of music he loves.

After this came Cham, who wasn’t bad, but mostly kept the crowd going. After he set up the crowd with “I want to try something out” he did a solo version of his hit with MIMS, “This Is Why I’m Hot”. You could hear the anticipation in the crowd, but nothing came of it.

Cham says that he appreciates the love, but he’s going to get with a group to get new notoriety. Keep a look out for the new group.

The next surprise made up for anything and everything that MIMS could have. On the set times we were promised a “live” mix-tape. Maybe because of my unfamiliarity, but I thought that meant we were just going to get a live airing of J. Period’s DJ set. Nope. We got a “live” mix-tape recording from Smiff ‘N’ Wessun, Buckshot, Masta Ace, O.C., and finished with Special Ed’s classic “I got it Made.” Yeah, it’s as great as it sounds. And I was worried about not liking new hip-hop. Between realizing Joell was a star and this, my day had to be a success.

The concert continued with great performances by Clipse, Large Professor and Brand Nubian, but nothing made me happier than seeing the LOX again. I followed the LOX from when they were first signed, growing up between the Bronx and White Plains, Charlie actually saved J-Hood’s life once, but he wasn’t there. The LOX tore it down, just like expected and don’t seem to have lost a thing in the years since I followed them years before.

Closing the show was LL Cool J who was given a cart straight to the stage. You can see why he’s so big; he just carries a different energy with him, especially with the ladies.

I’m happy I got to check this out and want to thank both Zune and Jeff for setting this up. The food from The Soul Spot in Brooklyn was great and free Jack Daniels and Absolut are always appreciated. Great experience again and thanks for the hook up.

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