Set 2 of 2-Rock The Bells. Jones Beach. NY. 8.3.08. A Tribe Called Quest, Nas, Jay Z, Slick Rick, EPMD, Black Sheep, Biz Markie, Method Man, Redman, Ghostface, Raekwon, De la Soul, Mos Def, Talib, Wale, Kidz in the Hall, MURS, Cool Kids, Pharcyde, Dead Prez, Tyga, Afrika Bambatta.

You know, there are times when we have been somewhere that we didn’t plan on being or somewhere that may have been reluctant to go, but got an unbelievable blessing. Baby let me testify, Sunday, July 27, 2008 was one of those days. I witnessed one of the best hip-hop shows of my life.

Live from Columbia, MD—just outside of P.G. County and D.C., the Rock the Bells tour arrived. Acts included Rakim, De la Soul, Redman, Method Man, Ghostface, Pharcyde, Mos Def, Nas and A Tribe Called Quest. Give it up nuh!

Everyone was in a D.C. state of mind. Red and Meth even brought out area artist, DJ Kool, to perform, “Let me Clear My Throat,” much to the amusement of the sold out crowd (of 16,500) in attendance.

Red and Meth whipped the crowd into pandemonium, but I didn’t get the chance to witness their trademarked, bona fide showmanship, energy, passion, and hip-hop artistry, because cousin “Audrey” behind the box office window couldn’t find my press credentials.

Getting in to see this hip-hop dream-bill was a true Project—right Rob (good looking-out baby-boy), in every sense of the word.

Pharcyde rocked their classics, "Passing Me By," "Your Momma," "Drop" and put in work. The R put it down, but unfortunately there was a sound system malfunction. Nonetheless, Rakim rocked acapela—and tried to buy the Merriweather Post Pavilion stage crew precious time to rectify the situation. Or at least that’s what my man Glasper says’. “Kick a whole in the speaker pull the plug…”

Because of the box-office snafu, I was only able to hear Pharcyde’s performance, albeit, on the other side of the fence.

Mos Def

When I finally got through the gate, I was able to witness the artistic wizadry of one Mos Def, and he kept it D. C. for real by singing along to the King of Go-Go, Chuck Brown’s #1 R&B hit “Bustin' Loose.” It was so classy, so right now, so Chocolate City.

He breathed life into his set with a touch of “Respiration,” and put many-a-backfield in motion with the classic “Ms. Phat Booty.” He had the foresight to let the soul sample breath into a crescendo before lacing the crowd with the goodness.

Mos was at ease with the mic in his hand… he knows he rocks. Your boy concurs. The multifaceted artist also offered a little Jamaican two-step accompanied by reggae tunes before making way for Nas.

Nas

God’s Son came out to a raucous greeting from the audience. He retorted, “They didn’t want me to come out with this album, but y’all went out and made it #1 anyway!”

Then he launched into a marathon set with “Hip Hop Is Dead.” Next he gave an offering from the new untitled disc. The epic, Toomp produced title track.

The set was no-nonsense—straight rocking with little room for small talk in between songs.

Fresh off a street protest of Fox News media (including a petition reportedly signed by 620,000 people), Nas proved his rendition of “Sly Fox” to be totally relevant and powerful.

“D.C. can we get old school?” Esco did his part to keep his set regionally relevant by flipping a classic off the Illmatic disc into “D.C. State of Mind.” It was not a game. The dude was about his work.

The performance had Ghostface amped; he was literally climbing over the soundman’s back urging Nas to spit fire.

Nas happily obliged with a crucially illmatic medley of “It Aint’ Hard to Tell,” “Represent,” and “One Love,” with Jay Electronica flanked stage-left, scepter in hand. The classics continued, “Life’s a Bitch,” “Street Dreams,” “If I Ruled the World.” “I’d like to say what up to my nuh, Ghostface,” Nas barked--recognizing the Staten Island love.

Meanwhile, Ghost was still hyped; I mean really feeling the performance, finishing up lines and all.

It was truly a family atmosphere among all performers… straight love. It was beautiful to see. It’s not all about beef and drama y’all, these artists truly have love for one another and the craft of hip-hop. It seemed as if all in attendance were elated at seeing hip-hop in its truest, purest form. We don’t get that too much these days.

Nas still wasn’t finished. He wrapped up the 15-song set with a the well timed “Black President,” “Hate Me Now,” and killed “Got Yourself a Gun” by remixing the second verse with a little of Dr. Dre’s “Still DRE.” The melding of the pianos on the tracks was brilliant. Was that you, Green Lantern? The final shot was an explosive version of “They Shootin” that sent the first row into pure pandemonium! Ouch!

Q-Tip

Q-Tip was man possessed. He actually served as Tribe’s opening act by ripping some hits from his brief, but productive solo stint. He came out live. I mean really--live bass, live guitar, and the maestro, Mr. Robert Glasper on keys dammit!!

“Put your fingers up for Dilla!” Q-Tip demanded.

And who serves as Tip’s hype-man? None other than the amazing, Flacco Bey. He was the interpreter of Tip’s soulfully eclectic vernacular. Mos Def was the hipper, more street savvy Jerome to Q-Tip’s hyper, grittier, more socially conscious Morris Day. Yeah it was like that.

Their volatile chemistry ignited the crowd and sent the amphitheatre into frenzy. At times Mos took the mic and rapped, while Q-Tip connected with the crowd. On the real I’d like to see these dudes rock on a more consistent basis. It was something special.

Q-Tip wore his emotions on his sleeve, in a spirited jaunt through “Let’s Ride,” “Sucka Nuh,” and “Excursions.”

Mos even accompanied Glasper on the keys as Tip ripped “Breathe and Stop.” He closed the mini-set with “Vibrant Thing.”

A Tribe Called Quest

First off, if you saw on last year’s hip-hop honors, you already know that the union of Q-Tip, Phife, and Jarobi on stage equals hip-hop fusion.

You notice I didn’t mention the sound provider, Ali Shaheed Muhammed, because unfortunately his flight in was delayed. Consequently, about an hour-and-a-half before their performance, Tribe called in the venerable DJ Scratch.

They did not hold back; serving up “Lyrics to Go,” off top with a rare performance of “Footprints” that was a somewhat spiritual, tribal acoustic experience. They continued with “We Got the Jazz,” and as they did so, the group’s chemistry was undeniable.

Phife and Tip went line-for-classic line, taking the crowd to ecstasy.

Tribe rocked on with “Stephen Biko” as the thunderous bass ripped through Columbia, causing aftershocks felt in the Capitol Rotunda. The Questers trudged on through “Find a Way,” and then transitioned to the mystical blue-funk of “Bonita Applebum.”

Tribe slickly segued into “Electric Relaxation,” then the trunk-rattling bass of “Check the Rhyme” took you back to ‘93 if only for a fleeting moment.

Phife looked and sounded great as he, Jarobi and Tip pushed it along.

The unbridled energy and emotion of “Award Tour” drove the crowd nuts, and Q-Tip into the bleachers, where he was lovingly smothered by his fans. Luckily he had a fatigued-out Big-Moo in full metal jacket, to clear space.

The interaction between Tribe and the crowd was classic, each feeding of one another’s energy. The crowd served as jumper cables, keeping Tribe’s motor running smoothly, even while experiencing high levels of viscosity.

It was done, and there was no denying that an event of epic proportions had occurred. Fuck diamonds, hip-hop is forever baby.

-Mel Blunt