Jedi Mind Tricks/Sean Price Live

I'm back in this bitch, we was gone for a while
Till a shorty told me that he heard my song and he smiled
I'm strong but I'm wild, they say I drink too much
The only problem that I have is that I think too much...

Mrs. Commish and I made the rare school night journey to Boulder this past Tuesday to check the Sean Price / Jedi Mind Tricks show. After reading 20/20 Proof’s review, I was prepared for a long night and geared up for the festivities with a fat Illegal Pete’s burrito and a couple smooooooooth CLs. An added bonus was it was ‘Skate Video Night’ at Petes! Brah! With our bellies full we arrived while the opening group, Grayskull was performing.

Grayskull consists of two MCs- one looks like Carlos Mencia’s son, the other looks like Fresh Kid Ice’s son- and a Sideshow Bob looking DJ. The trio hails from Seattle and put it down pretty hard for the Fox Theater crowd. I was surprised to learn they were on Rhymesayers and I might check for their CD.

After Grayskull finished, I had a chance to survey the crowd. It was a typical Fox Theater Hip Hop show demographic: 75% dudes, 85% white, and about 95% younger than The Commish. The 21 and over section where I was sucking down BLs in was pretty thin. Further confirmation of the younger crowd came when the Grayskull DJ stayed on to spin before the next act. Homey spun some hot classics, from “Kick in the Door,” to “Daytona 500,” a few Rakim cuts, even Boulder fave Jurassic 5. Normally during these shows, these bangers illicit a steady head nod, fist pumps, and collective “ho!” from the masses. But most of the patterned-zip-down-hoodie sporting kids seemed more concerned with texting, talking on their phone, or sucking face with eachother.

I was a bit amped to see the Boot Camp's Sean P; y'all know The Commish, I rep for the BCC. Sean Price emerged after a bit and launched into material from his newest joint as well as 2005’s Monkey Barz. He criss-crossed the stage, the beat frequently stopping entirely as he continued to spit acapella on more than a few occasions. However, his energy was severely lacking, and as we came to find out, his hype man, Rustee Jux, had to leave the tour due to his sister’s recent death. Sean soldiered on, dropping one Heltah Skeltah joint, “Operation Lockdown” and his verse from BCC’s “Trading Spaces.”

He ended his set with a more inspired version of “Boom Bye Yeah” (easily his top track) and “P- Body.” He threw in the requisite “how many of y’all are doing schrooms?” which got his loudest cheer, before ending with “Hearing Aide” and “One” from Jesus Price Superstar.

With a 45 minute break before JMT, the Bootcamp DJ stayed on and spun nearly every BCC hit from the past 14 years. It didn’t matter to the restless crowd, many of whom were now sparking up at a pace that would make Willie Nelson blush. The drunk kid behind me bellowed “fuck this, I want me some Jedi” as Black Moon’s classic, “How Many MCs” blasted.

JMT finally made it out a bit before Wednesday morning, as my lovely wife was well into her third rum and coke. They brought along a DJ by the name of Question who cut it up pretty nice as Vinnie Paz and his hype man went right through three songs from their last two releases. JMT’s heavy acoustics, strings, and deep rhythms were perfectly suited to the Fox’s sound system and intimate setting.

Vinnie Paz (remember Doug’s friend Spence from The King of Queens? Imagine him with about 30 pounds extra- that’s Vinnie Paz) came prepared with three vodka and pineapple juice cocktails while his hypeman swilled Heinikens and Question had a few Coronas. Slushy Gutter, indeed. The one thing I noticed about Paz is this guy really is passionate about his songs. He mouthed the words to each sampled voice (“you don’t got to go to church to get to know your God…”) and looked like he really felt what he was spitting.

Unfortunately, the set came to a harsh grind after the first 15 minutes. Like taking a page out of the MC live manual, JMT spent the next half an hour pleading with the crowd because we “were sleeping” and then did the “I’ll take this half, you take this half” cheering contest. Memo to MCs: spit some hot shit, have some energy, throw on an old classic beat to spit over and you won’t need these old gimmicks.

Paz and his man went into a few anti-government and anti-Vatican rants, but nothing over the top given their penchant for it with 10 years of JMT material. With that JMT did “Heavy Metal Kings,” their joint with Sean Price (who by now was mimicing Molly Shannon's 'Superstar' pose) and a few other tracks before “leaving” to the cheers of the increasingly thinning crowd. Even the drunk kid behind me had bailed by now; so much for him “wanting his Jedi!”

Out came JMT for their encore, in which they brought up about 10 girls from the crowd to dance with behind them for the remaining few tracks. Paz perfectly stated to the crowd and the girls, “yo, I love my mother, so I never disrespect these women or any others.” That’s real right there. With that he launched into the final jam and JMT was out, it was pushing 1:30 am. Well past a Tuesday night bedtime for The Commish. Overall, I enjoyed the show, if not only for the music, but a little crowd watching.

CHECK IT:
Crooklyn's Classics takes a look at life on the road with Sean Price
VIDEO: Jedi Mind Tricks w/Ill Bill "Heavy Metal Kings"