I have been blessed to have been in the building for much of the Roots crew residency at the Highline Ballroom this year. Each show has been incredibly individual in terms of talent showcasing and the artists’ showmanship. This week was no different as the audience was feted with some stellar veteran performances and some dope young talent on rise.
**‘Rising Down’ is still in stores**
Shouts to the OKayPlayer family and my homey Shamz, the youngest in charge, along with Tayyib Smith and the 215mag crew repping Philly all day everyday. The Roots $10 Jam Sessions program is on some str8 throwback shit to all the spots along Varick and Hudson Streets you used to be able to see these guys perform before the fame in the game finally came.
This is why its so damn fun to watch these guys in their element. They obviously aren’t doing these shows for the money or the tickets wouldn’t be so cheap. This shit is being done to save the music. Rap, rock, dancehall, soul, rhythm & blues, jazz. All of that shit needs saving because pop music and pop culture itself is threatening to devour art and the artists that live for this shit. If you can spare $10 in this economic downturn then I suggest you take that cash to the Highline Ballroom box office to aid in the rescue mission of our music.
Tanya Morgan came out and did a couple of songs with the Roots. DonWill is putting ‘Laura’s Song’ om iTunes. Don’t be a cheap ass derelict. Spend the $.99 cents to support good music.
Joe Budden came out and ripped the microphone. Let is be known that Joe has rhymes for days. He did an acapella which drove the crowd nuts. I’m looking for it now on the YouTubes.
On a night when Black Thought was slightly reeling from the exhaustion of putting in 20hr workdays its good to have a co-pilot for the spaceship that can keep you on course. Dice Raw is like Lando Calrissian on the flight deck of the Millenium Falcon. The rebels stay winning. The show must go on.
The Show
Rising Down
Here I Come
Singing Man
Get Busy
Adrenaline! (live)
