Beats, Rhymes, and Life- The Movie

Group dynamics are a funny thing. Musical group dynamics take it to a whole another level, and Hip Hop isn't immune. Michael Rapaport's Beats, Rhymes, and Life examines the often-tense interworkings of A Tribe Called Quest while still celebrating and looking back at one of Hip Hop's most influential and iconic groups.

Rapaport captures the beginnings of the group with some great interviews and rare footage from the early days. Scenes from Tip and Phife's Queen's neighborhood and Tip and Ali's trip back to their High School shaped the doc and gave us a glimpse of their growing process. Lest we forget too that before ATCQ was The Jungle Brothers, who it could be argued "paved" the way, a fact not glazed over. The entire Native Tongue vibe (a term we come to find out Q-Tip coined) is laid out and shown as it emerged in the late 80s.

The interviews really hit hard when the discussion veers from the Afrocentric, free-flowing, People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm (an album that a young Commish shunned for a bit, due to the band's non-hardcore look and jazzy, "hippie" loops. Until I really sat and listened, and in part due to my love for "Can I Kick It", this debut took a while for me to digest) to their second joint The Low End Theory. Pharrell Williams and Questlove of The Roots really shine when brought in to talk about the sophomore release.

It is also where Rapaport lays out the beginning of friction between Q-Tip and Phife Dawg, the latter starting to battle his diabetes during this time. It is a tension that lasts until the present day. Phife seems to resent the light Q-Tip receives and the perception that he is the frontman and talent of the group. Key word: perception. Tip doesn't and hadn't done a thing to attract that perception, and stresses that to Phife throughout the film.

The film isn't without some omissions though; for one the actual music is limited to 10-15 second concert clips or show appearances. The great posse cut "Scenario" isn't discussed, nor the group's work on their legendary videos.

The thrust of the group's popularity (89-94) happened to occur when a young Commish was on the come up and making my own transition from young knucklehead to, well, older knucklehead. As my man Fresh Marcus said, "it was like a soundtrack to my youth." Exactly. The flick was a retrospective journey for many of us older heads that brought many a chuckle, some head scratching, and even a tear. Can I kick it? Yes, you can.

Rakim Live

Michael Jordan as a Wizard, Wayne Gretzky in Ranger gear, Franco Harris a Seahawk, Manny Ramirez in his current Dodger gear. All legends who looked downright silly as they hung on too long in the game.

The greatest to ever touch a microphone, Rakim, is not among that list. He proved that last night to a near-packed Fox Theater of under-21s who weren't even a glimmer in their parent's eyes when Paid In Full was released in 1987 and a hearty collection of bald heads and gray beards pushing 40 who rocked Ra and fly sweat suits in high school.

Billed as Paid In Full in its entirety, the show wasn't simply "I Aint No Joke" all the way to the tenth track "Extened Beat." Rakim effectively moved the crowd from start to finish by incorporating most of his classic debut sprinkled with the hits from his string of post-Paid releases.

Jumping right in the fray was Technichian The DJ, who opened with the standard assortment of late 80s to mid 90s classics that got the crowd amped as Ra strolled onto the stage and simply said "let's take it back to the beginning" as "Eric B Is President" dropped and sent the Fox into head nod unison. Quickly he launched into "Move The Crowd" and the still-magical "My Melody" although the latter was cut short before the crowd could join in the classic "Seven MCs" bar.

The set list didn't flow non-stop like many shows, as Ra spoke to the crowd in between songs, surprisingly showing he is more of a regular dude rather than the quiet, calculated persona he's crafted over the years. He clowned for cell phone picts, showed off a crowd member's Rockies' hat, and even tried to fix the DJ's mic stand. He spoke to the ladies and the "fellas getting themselves right" before the familar bass of "Mahogony" bellowed.

Joints from his latest album The Seventh Seal ("Holy Are Thou" and "How To MC") were welcome to the diehards, but somewhat put a damper on the crowd buzz through the set. Rakim made up for it as he blazed through "Microphone Fiend" (injecting the mic into his forearm during the chorus), "Know The Ledge" and "I Know You Got Soul.

Rakim told the crowd he'd "be doing this shit at fifty something" near the show's close. Judging by what he brings to the game, he'll still be doing it at a Hall Of Fame level.

Binary Star...Live (?)

Last week I was fortunate enough to score some tickets to the Binary Star show at the venerable Foz Theater in Boulder. Being that Masters Of The Universe is one of the most underrated albums of the last 10 years, Senim Silla is one of my favorite "underground" MCs, and the chance to see a Hip Hop show at the Fox (been seeing everyone and anyone there for 15 years deep), I was pretty amped to see the gig. Real Hip Hop, son.

Mrs Commish and I set up the kiddo with a sitter and made the short trek to The Republic. We copped the tickets and asked the lady in the booth when Binary would be making their appearance. "12:30 they'll come on," she replied.

After a few quiet seconds of math in our heads, we- ahem- "discussed" the situation. It was 8:45, they were to come on at 12:30. If I know one constant between all rappers it's that they are not exactly the most punctual folks in the music business, so the 12:30 would most likely be closer to 1:00. An hour show, a few minutes to get out among the crowds, the drive through Boulder, onto the highway, back to Casa Commish, gear up for bed. Yeah,, we're talking nearly 3am. Our kiddo loves to greet the day and bleary eyed parents at 6:30am. That's three hours of sleep.

Mrs Commish gasped, "we'll have to take naps tomorrow!"

We proceeded to make our way to the local burrito shop, have a beer or two, and made our way into the show. A few minutes into the opening act, we'd had enough. The prospect of a sleepy tomorrow was too much. It was 10:30. I was in bed and fast asleep an hour later. No One Be Lo, no "Slang Blade" or "Wolfman Jack", no more $3.75 PBRs, none of that.

Somewhere the 22 year old Commish is calling me a "fucking sellout."

RELATED: Binary Star (Live) - "Reality Check"

Ice-T Live

Out my face, fool I'm the illest,
Bulletproof, I die harder than Bruce Willis...

The What: Me and the beautiful Mrs Commish won some free tickets from the good folks at Basementalism to the Gothic Theater Ice-T show. This is a show I'd probably normally not go to, but who can argue with freebies?

Way Back: Last time I saw the Iceberg live was April of 1992 with my dunn Kid Ci$co (no, 'net haters he is a real person, not a douchebag.) It was at the Glenn Miller Ballroom up at CU, a couple months before the whole "Cop Killer" controversary really blew up. A younger Ice put on a great show of his Hip Hop hits and then essentially restarted the show with Body Count and did that entire album. What stands out to me was his closing lines back then, exhorting the crowd to chase their dreams: "You might be white, you want to rap, fuck it, buy a mic, write your rhymes, and get up here and bust my ass. You black, you want to surf? Damn right, go get yourself a board, because homeboy, I got mine."

The Crowd: This was the most eclectic and diverse Hip Hop show I've attended probably since PE and Anthrax in 1991. You had your underground heads like myself, gangbangers, pimps, the 1993 stoners were in full force, hipsters, hoochies, after-work guy, frat boys, heads speaking Japanese, and everyone in between. Age wise, there was alot of people in their 40s, a few in their 50s, and I kid you not, a smattering of people that were in their 60s. Holla, grandpa.

The Hits: Ice played all his big hits: "Colors", "New Jack Hustla", "O.G.", "I'm Your Pusher", and a disappointing single verse from the classic "6 N tha Morning."

Ice at 45+: Ice-T is still a very talented lyricist. As far as simply being able to understand his flow, even the songs I'd never heard, it was easy. Dude's diction, articulation, and voice are in great shape, and he doesn't mumble. His metaphors and punchlines are still on-point, and he can stilll freak it with the story telling about the street life.

Also Receiving Votes: Ice got into some songs I hadn't really heard in 15 years. "You Played Yourself", "Ziploc", "Girls LGBNAF", and a powerful performance of "The Tower." He did about four songs of his new material.

Evil E- Ice still rolls with the same DJ of 20 years, and homey can still catch wreck. He opened the show with the requisite "throwback" jams (is Method Man a "throwback" already?) He did some ill tricks and even scratched with his toungue, which he says is good also "for eating pussy"

Shots Fired: Ice railed on the "pussy-ass dance music" that "rappers" are putting out in the 07. The only artist he called out by name was Mims, for his laughable hit "This is Why Im Hot." On which Ice questioned how hard it was to write that garbage. In the end, Ice gave him his dap for knowing what to put out to get his.

Take it Back: Mid set, Ice and Evil E had an impromptu Hip Hop trivia session, asking questions about various 80s/90s artists. The Kid was well versed and nailed everyone. It did, however drag on a bit, as Evil played a verse from 8-10 artists being asked about.

Laughing at Yourself: Saying he's "too old for an encore" he asked everyone to just pretend he left the stage and then started to perform his last two songs. At an earlier point, Ice asked who had bought his new CD, then quickly answered his own question: "if you're cheering, you're lying." He directed everyone to his website to download it for free. "I don't need this rap money, I do it for all of y'all."

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"

R.A. The Rugged Man Live

I'm a modern day Ozzy Osbourne
Bitin bats heads off and bustin nuts in your pop corn
Wonderin how this ugly motherf*cker got on

Me and former Slushy Gutter winner JL Smooth and two-time Slushy Gutter winner T-Dub were ready after a day of football to roll into LoDo to catch the RA The Rugged Man show. Once again, we were gaffled by the Artic BS snow that has been steady dropping on CO for five weeks now. RA couldn't make it into town, and skipped Denver and went straight to his next gig in the sleepy hamlet of Bozeman, Montana. I'm sure the citizens of Bozeman won't know quite what to make of him.

RA is an unique MC in the game today, his stories of yesteryear permeate his rhymes. Signed to Jive at an early age, troubles with the label, homelessness, tales from LI and more name dropping than an episode of Entourage. Lyrically, RA is on-point, as he can flow steadily or switch it up and hit some Big Pun "dead in the middle of Lilttle Italy" type ish for an entire verse. Also interjected is some real ill, sick sh*t, but hey, it's a sick world.

RA on myspace
RA offers one writer his "sloppy seconds" (Byron Crawford)
Video: "Lessons"

Turntables Might Wobble...

I alleviated the pain, with a long-term goal
Took my underground loot, without the gold
You sold platinum round the world, I sold wood in the hood
But when I'm in the street, then shit it's all good...

*Word from Las Vegas and the Team USA training camp is that Carmelo Anthony has been the top performer in the camp. Some pleaded for Melo to work on his game this summer, so apparently, Melo is a dedicated reader of SG Summer. Trim, focused, and his shots falling, Melo should make the trip to Japan for the World Championships in August. Just a few weeks ago, he was considered an outside shot to make the squad. No word on who has fared the best at the blackjack tables during camp.

*Our fair town is abuzz as usual late in July. For once I wish it could be for a Rockies’ pennant chase, but the buzz is reserved for the daily yawn that is Broncos training camp. Extended sports reports, daily newspaper stories, snippets on the free agent punter who once survived a bear attack all consume the local media. Stay tuned to the ten o’clock news to see what Ron Dayne thinks about Tom Cruise’s baby.

*The Kid had a chance to check out the DMC DJ Championships this past weekend in Boulder. Eight DJs, whittled down from quite a few more, competed for a spot to rep CO in the national finals. My pick, DJ Cisco Rockwell, handily beat the field to claim the title. His scratches were precise, beats blended flawlessly, and music selection was a bit above average (my biggest complaint for the entire comp was that the DJs used beats more suited for a rave rather than some hardcore hip hop shit.)

*My man JL Smooth, a former Slushy Gutter winner, sent me a list of college football’s all time best players by number. A couple of Buffs, Eric “Public” Bienemy and former Supreme Court Justice Byron “Whizzer” White both received mention. Bienemy played a solid 9 years in the NFL, and played in the Super Bowl for the San Diego Chargers in 1995. Yes, the Chargers did make the Super Bowl. White was a JFK appointee to the court who was a key player in the court’s civil rights activity of the 1960s. He served for nearly 30 years.

[528 Update. A steady weekend of hip hop shows and CF playing helped push the count up to a respectable 356. I scarfed down smoooooooooth CLs after both shows only served the dreaded BL and even a stale tasting PBRs. As we head into July's last weekend, the liver is scared and shivering about the prospect of August.]

Boot Camp Click Live

It's just a regular, everyday state of being
Mind holds the weight, rhymes free the mind in time
I find reality follows me where I roam
360 degrees back home...


Me and the lovely wife made our way back to the Republic of Boulder and the home of CO hip hop, The Fox Theater, to catch the Boot Camp Click. Unlike the last show I attended there, this crowd was a bit more gully. Smoking ban, what the fuck is that? Mad herb was being passed throughout the venue. Headz repped for BCC, sporting the fatigues, t-shirts, and a huge collection of folk sporting their 1993 Timbos.

Like any self respecting rap show, it was running mad late. The opening act, CO's own Black Pegasus did a 20 minute set to get the crowd ready for the BK headliners. Black Pegasus repped for CO pretty hard and dropped alot of referencces to his home state that were pretty good. Among them were something along the lines of "...my state's square, but not like Sponge Bob's pants"

Immediately after the opener, the BCC DJ, Logic, got on the tables and spun some hot mid-90's shit that worked the crowd up for the main act. All the "older" heads could almost be seen in unison as if to say, "this is what hiphop should be!" First on stage was Smif N Wesson, or Cocoa Brovaz, or Tek N Steele, whatever it is they want to be called today. They worked the Fox pretty hard and blazed through some of tHeir newer stuff from Reloaded then hit us off with the classic "Lets Git it On." Immediately after, they blazed into "My Timbz Do Work" from their new CD and Sean Price leaped on stage to cut his verse.

Sean P broke us off a few bangers from his Monkey Barz shit, including the leadoff track, "Peep My Words" and "Onion Head." No doubt Sean P is still hailing himself as "the brokest rapper you know" as he non-chalantly strolled the stage, his words easily rolling off the dome. He like to preen for the crowd, flexing his muscles, and giving dap to the dudes in the front row.

Just when I thought that Sean P might carry the show, his partner Rock aka Tha Rockness Monsta joined him to form Heltah Skeltah. Their Nocturnal CD might have been in my system all of 1996, and they showed the Kid why. Right off they went dark with "Here We Come" and "Operation Lock Down." Rockness Monstah commanded the stage, the cat has got that presence. Throughout the entire show, you could focus on him, his deep voice, and his height, dude towered over the entire BCC. He reminded me of a young Busta Rhymes in the Leaders of the New School days; you just knew he was going to be a star because of his personality and distinctive style. Unfortunately for Rock, that never materialized. Boot Camp never really pushed him as a solo artist, as 10 years in he has never put out a dolo joint.

The stage was full with Tek, Steele, Sean P, Rock, and even a ever-filming Dru-Ha, there was no bullshit weed carriers to distract the audience, trying to hype the crowd, spraying booze, throwing wack CDs. BCC had the requisite Henny on stage that they were all enjoying, and Logic switched it up with some current beats, even Rick Ross' "Hustlin'" for the MCs to flow over.

Buckshot then ran onto the stage and launched full bore into "Buck Em Down" and "How Many MCs." Buckshot is a short guy, but he had the crowd amped up. The floor even saw a few mosh pits open up, including one asshole who caught a beating for slamming into the wrong guy's lady. Buckshot rocked some Chemistry ish, then hit us with his "Crooklyn" verse. Smif N Wesson added 98's "Black Trump."

The crowd was ready for some classic Black Moon, but the show turned again to Sean P to do a few more solo joints. Smattered throughout were tracks from the new CD, The Last Stand, which the crowd didn't feel as much since it just came out on Tuesday. "Trading Spaces" from that CD is defintely worth adding to you MP3. Finally, Smif N Wesson rocked "Bucktown," which must've made the drunk frat boy behind me happy since he was screaming "Buuuckshowwwn" every 30 seconds. Slushy Gutter indeed.

"Buck Em Down" and Sean P's "Boom Bye Yeah" followed, before "Leflaur Leflah Eshkoshka" with only Heltah Skeltah. By now it was apparent OGC was AWOL, but I hardly think many noticed, except for aforementioned drunky guy who also screamed "Staraang Wondahhhh" the entire night also. Strike two for Kappa Phi Drunka.

"I Ain't Havin That," the classic "I Gotcha Opin" and "Wontime" closed out the show. Buckshot made it offical with the track that started it all, "Who Got Da Props" For a younger crowd, I was surprised the crowd could rock along with this one. Half of 'em must've been 6 years old when it dropped. Buckshot's flow has changed since the glory days. It's more melodic rather the trademark choppy ish from the Enta Da Stage days. But it didn't distract from the show, as everyone spilled into the street after a nearly two hour show. Two hours? That's almost blasphemous in hiphop these days. Overall, hearing the classics was well worth the ticket, and the hardcore BCC fans like the Kid were treated to the new stuff which carries BCC today.

Videos: Trading Spaces- BCC, How Many MC's- Black Moon, Boom Bye Yeah- Sean Price, Bucktown- Smif N Wesson, Who Got Da Props?- Black Moon

Cannibal Ox Live

If first you don't succeed try, try again
Step up to the mic and die again
This is the next lifetime and you wanna battle
Either you like reincarnation or the smell of carnations...


The Fox Theater in Boulder hosted the vigorous Cannibal Ox show Thursday, and the kid and former two-time Slushy Gutter winner T-Dub repped hard. The Fox, hands down the best hip-hop venue in the state, was about a third full of an eclectic mix of folks. Backpackers, the hippie element, geeks, a smattering of hotties, thugs, preppy Kayne types, skateboarders, regular Joes, even the rave set were all on hand to see the Def Jux duo rip it up.

After the requisite performance by Can O’s weed carrier 4th Pyramid, Vast Aire and Vordul Mega took the stage. The entrance could’ve been a bit more dramatic, given the engulfing intros to many of their tracks. Immediately we were hit with The Cold Vein’s leadoff track, "Iron Galaxy." Just as sudden was the stature of the two MCs. Vordul was about a buck fiddy soaking wet, while Vast Aire was a mountain of a man. I’d read that Vast was a big cat, but damn, this dude was close to four bills.

Homeboy can still shoot it regardless of his super-size, as he got the crowd amped rocking through "Stress Rap," and the classic "A B-Boy's Alpha." I swigged down BL’s as the show bogged down a bit, but thankfully their DJ rescued the crowd with a mastering of the Technics to an old Wu-Tang track. He slyly dropped "Raspberry Fields" at the end of his work and Vast Aire wrecked the crowd with his verse, by far the highlight of the show. A couple of Aire’s solo joints followed, with a hot new track kicked by the pair. The crowd was hyped as it meant we soon should be blessed with a new Can O joint.

Unfortunately, the show ended awkwardly with a half-ass encore which pretty much consisted of Vordul trying to flow over one of his own tracks- not the instrumental- the regular version. The end notwithstanding, the show moved into my top 5 hiphop shows over the past decade or so. Big ups to the real MCs and hip hop heads holding it down. One love.

Cannibal Ox (My Space)