I suppose this is the official review for Soundclash | September. I have again been asked to do the review but be nicer this time (whatever that means lol). So I will be straightforward this time. No colorful commentary, no side jokes, no big words that will send you to the dictionary. Just the black & white honest & humble opinions of me, KAMMs TheACE. So, if it's boring don't blame me.
September 10-13 marked a pretty major weekend for Soundclash: 4 events in 3 nights in 2 cities! Still with me?
September 10th was the Soundclash Hall of Justus Edition in Baton Rouge, featuring Rapper Big Pooh of the Hip Hop Group Little Brother. Also on the bill was Lyrikill, Skipp Coon & Mr. Nick, Rich, Wyzdom 360 & Swelly with an impromtu feature performance by Tygah Woods. The show was held at 600 Main in Baton Rouge, a venue I'd probably never again choose to throw a concert in. Too much disorganization. Poor, Rich's whole show was messed up. I can't even say whose fault it totally was. I believe it had a lot to do with the sound system, lack of equipment and the venue being generally unprepared.
Speaking of unprepared a band, Syllebel 7, was on the bill to perform that night but called one of the promoters around 8pm asking about available equpiment for the show. According to one of the promoters, when the equipment they requested was not available they called back and said they would be unable to perform. Show time was scheduled for 10p. 1 word: unprofessional.
In summary, the show left me unimpressed and generally disappointed. I was super sleepy and the only thing keeping me awake was Skipp Coon & Mr. Nick's side dancing.
None of the performances stood out to me, but I won't blame this on the performers I'll put it on the venue (for my safety's sake). By the time Big Pooh came on, the people I was most anxious to see I could barely keep my eyes open. I stayed to take a few pictures, enjoy some of his set but I had to dip early. I had to drive back to New Orleans that night and my road dog was already on the couch knocked out.
September 11th was also the Soundclash/Hall of Justus Matchup except this time in New Orleans at another unfamiliar venue, except things ran a little bit smoother. This show, like the one in Baton Rouge started hours late, which is unusual for a Soundclash event. Soundclash events
do not always rarely start on time but never
hours late. But if crucial elements of the show are late the show will obviously start late.
Message.
The show eventually got started and because it started late certain performers times started getting cut. Now let me tell you, as a performer, that sucks. It sucks if you have your show/set timed out a certain way. Me for instance, I rarely do full (3 verse 3 hooks) songs. I usually have some sort of intro, and do a verse or two from a few different songs and maybe a poem, to keep the pace moving & make sure the audience doesnt get bored. So when you're told minutes before you go on you can only do 3 songs, it kinda throws you off. Here's my remedy. On average songs are between 3:30-4 minutes in length when performed live so I translated "3 songs" into 10-12 min. Problem solved.
1 performance stood out to me at this show, and it wasn't mine (I actually didn't care for mine that night). It was Tygah Woods. That was the best live show I've ever seen them do. I'll be honest, I've never been a huge fan of Tygah Woods because I've never enjoyed their live show. It always seemed a bit messy and confusing. This show however made me take notice. I like how they started, I love how they engaged the crowd and moved the crowd. Their energy was amazing the whole time they were on stage. I'm also realizing more and more I like J-Dubble's flow. He first made me take notice when he performed "Free" with my producer Quest at the Dragon's Den. He's nice!
[INSERT PICTURE OF TYGAH WOODS HERE....WHEN I GET IT! LOL]
Tygah woods had the standout performance of the night. My line sister even sent me a tweet on Twitter saying how much she enjoyed their performance. I reminded her this was the same group she'd made fun of at a previous show. She couldn't believe it! She was definitely impressed (and that one is a hard one to impress I tell ya!). She said it was something about their energy. I told her this was the best performance I'd ever seen of theirs and I loved how hype they were. She agreed.
Big Pooh & DJ Skillz did their thing! But honestly I didn't expect much less. I learned from them that night & the previous night in Baton Rouge. Your live show is a make or break for me as a fan. For instance, I LOVE Jill Scott. Saw her live at Jazz Fest, and was so disappointed. She wasn't garbage but it was nothing that left me wanting more. I was just flat after her show. Now even when I listen to her CD I recall that disappointment I felt during her live show.
I put a lot into my live show. Performing is my passion, and has been since I started doing theatre in 4th grade. So I'm always looking for ways to improve and if Big Pooh & DJ Skillz gave me nothing else, they gave me that! Skillz got the crowd amped and involved even before Big Pooh took the stage. DJ Skillz definitely knows what a DJ is supposed to do. They have this subtle chemistry when rocking a stage together. It's like they trust that the other is gonna do his job to the best of his ability and by doing so make the other look even better in the process. Ya, they mesh well together. Their show looks so rehearsed yet so impromptu at the very same time. Make sense?
Bottomline DJ Skillz & Big Pooh give me hope for live Hip Hop.
September 12 Soundclash the Beat Battle!! The best night of the weekend and the most eventful as well! It seems as thought every one came to compete this month. Almost everyone came way more prepared to battle than the last time they showed up.
Soundclash veteran, Casper, got knocked out in round 1 and didn't seem to want to hear what judges, Big Pooh and Skillz had to say. Cocky much?
Soundclash 3x champ got knocked out in the first round. Kut Creator got knocked out in the second. Hurt Feelings.
The standout producer for me was Ian Louis. Quest of course was a beast but I already know what he's capable of. Ian Louis though, whooo! Ian has competed several times in the past and each time has come with something worth competing against. But this time he ate his Wheaties before making these beats. Each of his tracks were bangers, he was the upset of the evening no one was expecting.
Ian Louis & Quest ended up in the semi-finals. I was nervous. I was definitely rooting for Quest, but I told Quest going in to the semi-finals he had some competition in Ian Louis. He agreed. That was
one of the sickest battle I've seen at Soundclash. Dear God I am SO glad I wasn't in the judges shoes that night.
*Sidenote: Isn't the previous month's champ supposed to get a bye into the semi-finals, not the finals? Or am I mistaken. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.
Anywho,
Lil W AD Future & Quest in the finals. I disagreed with the judges final decision. Quest was consistent throught the matchup with AD. Not only that, Quest showed versatility. He played 3 different genres, all kinds of change ups, samples, chops, originals, everything. Quest messed up by playing that Michael Jackson track. Like I told him after the battle, it's over-kill. Every producer/rapper this side of the Mississippi and the other side has done a remix or tribute to MJ. So if you're gonna do one it has to make DJ Skillz wanna come throw you off the stage not just throw his water bottle lol. I readily admit, it didn't do that.
Yes, Quest uses samples. Yes, Quest cuts & chops. Yes, we know. Yes, Quest has original beats from scratch. Yes, Quest is 19, younger than most producers out here and also better than most producers out here. ::waits 4 gun shots:: As long as he remains humble Quest is a force to be reckoned with. Same goes for Ian Louis, another young dude. I am definitely going to link up with Ian. He is mad talented and I told him that after the battle. It should have been him & Quest in the finals.
By the time Quest made it to the semi-finals the obscenities and shit-talking was coming steady. It was so annoying. Like listening to a 7-year-old gripe about not getting their happy-meal toy.
Let it go!
The Soundclash performances.... I dont' remember them. BRB ::goes to ask El who performed that night::
Oh yes. Uhmmm A. Levy's was a bit long for me, but I'm glad he ended on the song he did. Wait nevermind I don't remember which song he ended on but he had two standout songs. The one about "represent where you from" & the N-O-L-A. Yea, I need them joints in my life A. Levy ::hint hint::
MC Jay. He has fans. He brings people.
S. J. Lacy. Uhmm, I was sleepy by then. ::side eye::
Overall I think this was a win for Soundclash weekend. Oh and if you're wondering about the 4th event, it was a comedy show. But I can't review that because I didn't attend. :)
In summary, the show left me unimpressed and generally disappointed. I was super sleepy and the only thing keeping me awake was Skipp Coon & Mr. Nick's side dancing.
Big Pooh & DJ Skillz did their thing! But honestly I didn't expect much less. I learned from them that night & the previous night in Baton Rouge. Your live show is a make or break for me as a fan. For instance, I LOVE Jill Scott. Saw her live at Jazz Fest, and was so disappointed. She wasn't garbage but it was nothing that left me wanting more. I was just flat after her show. Now even when I listen to her CD I recall that disappointment I felt during her live show.
The standout producer for me was Ian Louis. Quest of course was a beast but I already know what he's capable of. Ian Louis though, whooo! Ian has competed several times in the past and each time has come with something worth competing against. But this time he ate his Wheaties before making these beats. Each of his tracks were bangers, he was the upset of the evening no one was expecting.
