By Odeisel

We often look at history through rose colored lenses. This is especially true when it comes to how we wax poetic about taking it “back to the essence” in Hip-Hop. Suddenly all the wack groups of the past magically never happened and it was all good during our era. The groups we remember tower over the artists of today and are irreplaceable in our hearts and minds.

Well, if we live off their albums, then our images of them are relatively safe in the eternally young video images and the album jackets we hold dear. But what happens when they are still around and still performing? In their mature state, can they match our memories and hold us true, or will they expose themselves and our rosy flashbacks to obsolescence?

Recently, BB King’s hosted its second in a series of legends concerts and this theory was put to the test again, with results that both supported our memories and destroyed them in different instances.

The show opened with Lord Finesse, D.I.T.C member extraordinaire and Jadakiss 1.0. His medley of hits were strongly performed, as was an ill freestyle that reminded us why he’s the original “Funky Man.” However his set was marred with another one of those “New York used to be live…” soliloquies that hype up old schoolers but are really pointless. It’s a new day, you had your shine and your time, move on. Finesse has crafted a second life as a producer and a DJ, so he’s not starving, but these speeches usually just come off as hate for other regions who supported New York when we told our vision of Hip-Hop.

Next was fellow D.I.T.C. act Showbiz and AG. They were very good, despite such a long lay-off. They thrilled the crowd with hits “Soul Clap” and “Fat Pockets” and had great presence. While Andre the Giant physically looked older than we remember he was clear on stage and commanding in delivery. So far, despite physical differences, our memories are holding firm and true.

Next were the performance stars of the show, Black Moon and Smiff N Wessun. Now I will say that they have an advantage because they never left, they have new material and they have bodied at least 3 separate shows that I’ve personally been to recently. Their energy is unbelievable, and their resume of hits, especially in front of a New York crowd is just not something to play with. Tech and Steele have a natural chemistry and their rapport on stage shows.

The highlight of the set came when Blastmaster KRS-One, recent Duck Down signee came to the stage for a couple classics, a freestyle, and a couple songs from his upcoming album with Buckshot. It’s ironic that a show celebrating a time when the Bronx and Brooklyn were at odds featured collaboration between emcees from those same boroughs. Clearly the highlight of the night and our memories are batting 1.000.

Back from Hollywood, and back to the hood, MC Lyte took the stage with brother Giz in tow. Sans hype man, Lyte cast was totally comfortable as the little woman commanding a room full of testosterone. It was so good to see her on stage, but there were issues. Her voice really didn’t carry that well over the music, and there wasn’t much to get us excited except her presence but for what it was, that was sufficient. I’ll give her a passing grade as she did nothing to diminish herself.

The first flop of the night was Das Efx. I must say that they were a shadow of their former selves. When they finally took the stage they were incredibly drunk, with Drayz spitting Hennessey on the stage upon their entrance. Skoob was visibly trash and actually forgot an entire verse. If they are going to be on stage with the caliber of MC’s that were there that night, they should get it together. Big time fail, and if you were there they would have been wiped from your memory as an all time great group.

Nice & Smooth on the other hand, while nowhere near in the shape they were when you last saw them, were at least buoyed by birthday boy Greg Nice’s enthusiasm. They had entirely too many crew members on stage with no purpose, which slowed down the show. While their set was enjoyable they had entirely too much stage time and it took away from other artists. Shout to Joeski Love who performed his Hit “Pee -Wee Herman during their set.

The headliners of the show were Naughty By Nature. Trigga Treach has mellowed in his advancing years, and while the energy is still there, his voice has definitely paid the price for years of touring. They didn’t disappoint in general, however, as Vin’s energy helped raise the stage level.

Special guest MC, Bumpy Knuckles showed up to perform “Hot Potato.” hH and Treach traded a couple war stories from the days when it wasn’t all good between East Coast and West Coast. All in all, it was a good show and worth the wait. They weren’t as good as when they were filling stadiums, but they at least performed well enough to garner that headline status.

The final performer of the night was Raekwon The Chef, performing mainly his classic Only Built For Cuban Linx album. He was introduced by Busta Rhymes, who told a story of the first time he heard the purple tape in an effort to stall for time. However the story lasted so long that the post 3:30 A.M. crowd almost booed Busta off the stage.

Rae had a solid show, with a guest spot from Inspectah Deck, but in all honesty any performance of the purple tape without Ghostface riding shotgun is like watching Jay-z throw up the Roc without Beans and Freeway next to him. It’s aight but it’s not real. Still, kudos to Rae for getting it done especially with a crowd that had been standing for five hours.

Our heroes are bit heavier in gut and grayer in hair but for the most part they held up to their legacy. They proved that even in a market aimed at the young that they could still rock for the fans that love them.

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