OKayPlayer steady takes care of the kid for the HighLine Ballroom’s weekly party hosted by the Roots. I zipped in to the VIP section of the line and I got my medium access bracelet which means that I can go sit in the areas where the artists convene and politic. Truck North holler at me homey. I’m trying to get out to Philly next weekend.
Shouts to my homey CHRIS from Philly who held me down with that WBW. I seen my dude BRADEN up in that piece too and I know he be holding that stankness. There are some official bone gristle kids that make it to the show on the weekly coming from parts all over. I also need to big up your boy Notes From A Different Kitchen who was walking down the block holding his little lady’s hand talking mad loud about the music game.
The Jam Session was another high level exercise in musicality. JAMES POYSER has been particularly great for the last few weeks and I think that is also due to having worked so closely with the performers like JAGUAR WRIGHT, LADY ALMA and Floetry’s MARCIA AMBROSIUS. The keyboards have been religiously rigorous in keeping the atmosphere something like a church revival. Last night’s set was time for the lady’s to shine and they absolutely did. You never know what you are going to get at the Jam Sessions but it sure enough gots to be fonky.
Black Thought as usual pays an inordinate amount of homage to Kool G Rap. Not that G Rap isn’t a pioneer that deserves high acclaim (as is Thought). But at this point I wish that Kool G Rap would just show up for one of these Jam Sessions and return the love. Hopefully G Rap will make the trip from Phoenix one day soon and fall thru the Roots Jam Sessions @ Highline Ballroom.
Road 2 The Riches from dallas penn on Vimeo.
Roots Never Pause [ll] from dallas penn on Vimeo.
I *have* to catch it next time I come through.
Maybe I missed something but I’ve not seen anyone speak on what the hell went wrong with Kool G. Rap?! He was a nearly complete MC/artist on those first three albums, with “Live And Let Die” hard as fuck but still human. “4, 5, 6” started the downward spiral into this inexplicable cartoon gangsterism, as if “Scarface” was more real the kid who used to sweep up at– what was it– C-Town? I bet Black Thought knows! Anyway, seems dude must have hard some hard times but we’re stuck with this “character” that was never that compelling to begin with.
Come back DJ Polo?!
That song off the second video is jammin. Got me doin the uprock while getting dressed for work off that shiite.
To be fair 4,5,6 was still pretty decent, its just higher things are expected of G. Rap….. dunno what happened tho, that ‘half clip’ jawn was garbage….. remember a couple years back there was talk of 50/Gunit signing him, not that that would have necessarily resulted in an album (see:MOP)…. Even dropped a half decent mixtape with Whoo Kid if I recall….
anyhoo…. continue enjoyin your VIP status kid.
Yo D, are you gonna hit the Roots Picnic next month?