Spotifys rapcaviar live in new york 10
Photo Source: Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for Spotify
Photo Source: Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for Spotify
Dipset, A$AP Mob and more performed in New York City
On Tuesday night, I watched Dipset — Cam'ron, Jim Jones, Juelz Santana, and hypeman Freaky Zeaky — reunite at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City.
It was the fourth Dipset reunion concert I've been to in the last seven years.
And yet, this one felt momentous, in part because the rift between the crew membersseemed irremediable. However, thanks to Spotify and its RapCaviar Live concert series, the group was back together on stage for a sold-out show so anticipated even some of Cam'ron's friendswere left in the cold.
LISTEN: StreamCam'ron'sThe Program, His First Solo Mixtape Since 2013
RapCavier is the most influential playlist in music right now. The playlist, which is curated by Tuma Basa, is known for showcasing some of the most eclectic and radical rap music from all over the country. However, for its New York City show, they stacked their lineup with local artists who shared a certain '90s aesthetic. Throughout the night, DJ SpinKing, who handled the transitions, brought out surprise guests like Uncle Murda, Fat Joe, and Casanova. His most radical guest was controversial Brooklynrapper 6ix9ine, who performed his rowdy hit “Gummo” in New York City for the first time. His performance got one of the loudest reactions of the night. It's a song, I would guess, most people in the crowd heard on RapCavier first.
Bronx duo A Boogie wit da Hoodie and Don Q and Harlem collective A$AP Mob were the two other official acts on the bill. A$AP Mob’s set, in particular, was interesting to watch; the crew tried to muscle their way through a set that the crowd seemed disinterested in. The crowd reaction only picked up when ASAP Ferg performed his hit “Plain Jane.” The lackluster response might be the reason why A$AP Rocky stopped the show to announce that he's the "greatest complementary artist of all time," a comment that literally does not make much sense.
But the reaction could have meant that this was truly just a Dipset crowd. A crowd where I saw people dressed with some of the same flair the group was known for having. I saw people in big chains and colorful minks and expensive Givenchy sweaters. (I felt shame wearing only a grey hoodie and green military jacket.)
After an extended wait — Cam'ron had trouble getting in the venue— the show started, with all four members getting solo time before they hit the stage as a collective.
And...it felt like a Dipset show. One hundred people on stage, with all the members being impeccably dressed. Cam wore a pink, orange, and green leather jacket while Santana rocked a red mink and then later put on a Marmot winter coat.
They swaggered their way through the Dipset hits you would want to hear from the crew, from "Dipset Anthem" to "Bout It Bout It... Part III" to "I Really Mean it" to "Oh Boy." However, because of the late start, the set was rushed, and the songs were mostly reduced to snippets.
At one point Cam said that new music was on the way. And earlier in the day it was announced that a Dipset EP and documentary were coming soon. So I suspect we'll be seeing another Dipset reunion concert soon.
Scroll down to see some pictures and highlights from the show.
Photo Source: Johnny Nunez/Getty Images for Spotify
Photo Source: Johnny Nunez/Getty Images for Spotify
Photo Source: Johnny Nunez/Getty Images for Spotify
Photo Source: Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images for Spotify
Photo Source: Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images for Spotify
Photo Source: Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for Spotify
Photo Source: Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for Spotify
Photo Source: Johnny Nunez/Getty Images for Spotify
