Posted on 05/12/2008
Usually for a hip-hop concert, whatever time is printed on your ticket, in this case 6 p.m., it's safe to arrive 90 minutes after that if you want to see the actual show instead of everyone in the crowd awkwardly standing around trying not to look at each other. Ah, but leave it to the alt-rap crowd to participate in the one hip-hop show that starts on time. Strolling into Webster Hall around 8 p.m., I was told that the first act had already done their 30 minutes (sorry Kids in the Hall), so I settled in and caught Busdriver's spastic set. The Project Blowed representative, as always, kicked his hyper-verbose, ridiculously rapid flow with ease. Not sure what the intended effect of the distorted mic is, but it has no positive effect on the show, so thankfully he didn’t feel the need to use it too much. Sticking with his MPC as backup, he allowed his tongue-twisting lyrics and off-kilter delivery to tell the story.

With a short turnaround between acts, next up was El-P. Despite his scruffy appearance and the crazy energy he gave off jumping around and throwing his hands in the air, the set of low-key, confessional rap tracks didn’t lend itself to a true geek out by the crowd which was unfortunate. Therapy rap isn’t the most danceable brand of hip-hop, but DJ Mr. Dibbs’ grimy beats kept the crowd moving even during more serious songs like “The Overly Dramatic Truth.” El-P's solo was the highlight of the set, including a scratch up of Tracey Chapman’s “Fast Car” and A Tribe Called Quest/Leaders of the New School classic “Scenario.” After El-P had the crowd wish his mom an early Happy Mother’s Day, the warm and fuzzy portion of the show was over as Aesop Rock joined him onstage for “Run the Numbers” and Kidz in the Hall hyped the finale with El-P on “Drivin’ Down the Block.”

In another lickety-split transition featuring dope Baltimore club maestro Aaron LaCrate on the wheels, the stage was set for U.K. grime ambassador Dizzee Rascal to headline. All that can be said after seeing such a dynamic performance is, 'Dizzee, need kids?' A man that talented deserves progeny to carry the torch and how selfish it would be to enjoy the show and not even offer. The things that are obvious when listening to his albums are only heightened for the live show. Flow for days, check. Rude boy attitude, check. Sickest beats on either side of the pond, double check. The party began the second the beat dropped on “I Luv You” and never quit as he ran through “Where Da G’s,” “G.H.E.T.T.O.,” “Sirens” and “Fix Up, Look Sharp.” Moving is not optional when Diz rocks the mic; you have to at least try and keep up with him and his hype man doing the Kid ‘n’ Play dance.

Sporting a Big Daddy Kane tee shirt, the old school hip-hop fan urged the crowd to form a circle as he started the ‘now you see it now you don’t’ leak "Pussyole.” Reflecting on how much it meant to him to be performing in NYC, the birthplace of hip-hop, he beckoned the b-boys and b-girls to do their thing. Catching eyes with another audience member, we both knew this would not go well. The backpacker New York that faced Dizzee and the NYC he may remember from one too many viewings of Wild Style are worlds apart. The circle formed reluctantly and awkwardly remained empty as he started the song. Then one brave soul, a lanky Black girl who looked like she’d been to a couple house parties in her day, jumped in the circle and broke into the running man. Two guys followed suit trying to get their spin on. It was all in good fun no matter how (un)skilled you were. Two other young men did know how to pop-and-lock and redeemed it for the whole group. Just enough people felt comfortable looking foolish to last until the end of the song. For his encore, Dizzee did the booty song, “Flex,” from Maths & English. Once he officially left the stage, the crowd was still amped and wishfully, but pointlessly, waited for one more song. The whole night was a great look for hip-hop, but nobody brought it as hard and consistent as Dizzee. And to have the whole thing wrapped up in time to still catch the express train back to Brooklyn, even better.

- Candace L.