Whatchu think this is, the opera?

November 8th, 2006 posted by robb

Lyrics Born with Cut Chemist
The Phoenix – 11.06.06
Rating: 8.5/10

You’d be hard pressed to find a really strong hip-hop performance coming through Toronto. Most of the acts I’ve experienced in our city have been half-assed attempts at trying to get through what is usually a short set list (like Del the Funky Homosapien’s disappointing performance last December). Unfortunately, in my experience, what is usually heard on the album is rarely translated into a live performance when it comes to hip-hop. But not always.

On Monday night, hip-hop heads from around Toronto went to the Phoenix concert theatre to see Cut Chemist and Lyrics Born perform in support of their latest releases (CC’s ‘The Audience is Listening’ and LB’s first live album, ‘Overnight Encore’). Although the venue was merely half-full, the crowd was buzzing with much anticipation. I arrived at the Phoenix a few tracks into Cut Chemist’s set. With a setup of about six turntables, two beat machines, and a wack of multimedia equipment, he played several tracks of his new solo album including the charged-up swinger single ‘My 1^st Big Break’. Being freshly departed from the Jurassic 5 crew due to creative differences, Chemist seemed more in his element than ever before. His set was filled with heavy break beats, scratch patterns and live remixing that got even the thuggish looking cats in the back tapping their toes. What was most impressive was how he interviewed and recorded audience members, only to playback and scratch an audio-visual image of each interview over top his legendary remix of Blackalicious’ ‘A to Z’. Having listened to Jurassic 5’s weak-ass attempt at a new album with out Cut Chemist, and seeing him play an impressive set on Monday, it’s clear that he was the one keeping J5 grounded as underground legends. Regardless, Chemist seemed much happier doing it on his own.

Now that the crowd was revved-up, Lyrics Born exploded onto the stage with his six-piece funk band to a roaring audience. This guy is truly one of the best performers I’ve ever seen. He fired through his catalogue of both ‘Later That Day’ and his remix/b-sides ‘Same Shit Different Day’, playing several crowd favourites including ‘Do That There’ and ‘Lady Don’t Tek No’. After about three songs he played the party anthem ‘Hello!’ pleading to the crowd;

‘Whatchu think this is, the opera? You gotta get out on the dance floor cause we came all the way from the Bay to party with y’all. You got one life to live Toronto, and you got to live it right!’

His set was filled with call-and-response chants between him and the crowd, continuously hollering in between each song making sure everyone was having a good time. About half way through his set, the Phoenix was noticeably sweaty as the dance floor was going insane for LB’s funkified party-driven songs. Not only did LB deliver, but his band was incredibly tight, jamming in between songs and recreating his lovely beats with a full funk band. Equally impressive was his wife, Joyo Velarde, layering his songs with her sweet sultry voice. Needless to say, I haven’t had that much fun at a hip-hop show in a long time. It was certainly refreshing to see that a rapper cared enough about his performance not only sound flawless, but to also make the audience as integral to the show as he was.

Reviewed by: Craig Hill

Section: Uncategorized