Joell Ortiz at Southpaw, 9/30/10 – Recap, Photos, Video

Joell Ortiz kicked off his Yaowa Mixtape Tour on September 30, 2010 with a stop at Southpaw, in his home borough of Brooklyn. I was there to witness what many, including us, call one of the reasons why NY hip hop doesn’t suck, on a night made entertaining by an eclectic cast of supporting acts on stage, and in attendance. In a bit of a free-form style, here’s what went down, from my perspective.

Click here for our entire photo gallery from the Joell Ortiz show at Southpaw on 9/20/2010

Driving to Southpaw, I remembered the first time I was here in late 2008, when I was still just beginning the BirthplaceMag.com project. The show was small, in the downstairs room, but I remember an intimate and enjoyable performance by folks like Donny Goines, 6^th Sense, Che Grand and Tanya Morgan (who I told folks at the time reminded me of A Tribe Called Quest, a bit of a compliment I would think, especially after seeing one performance in a living room-sized venue). It was a night that demonstrated the talent and passion of those in the NYC hip hop underground, a night which almost two years later, led me back with a burgeoning online publication documenting this very scene.

Walking up to the doors, I spot two MCs I’ve run into on many occasions posted up, Warren Britt and YC The Cynic. YC, who I anointed one of the “5 Reasons Why NY Hip Hop Doesn’t Suck” in my inaugural column in that series, was on the bill, and I always enjoy seeing him do his thing. I also met (in real life, as opposed to previously knowing online) Divino DeNegro, of Rise Up Radio on WBAI (WBAI and their hip hop-friendly programming being yet another of our “5 Reasons Why NY Hip Hop Doesn’t Suck“).

Checked in on the media list (thanks to Clarence “Jah C” Fruster, of Jah C and the Antidote, also on the bill and, I believe, one of the primary organizers of the event), and made my way inside. YC had mentioned attendance was starting out a bit thin, and he was right, but knowing how these things go, it wouldn’t be long before it thickened up.

Already rocking on stage was Kosha Dillz, an artist I was familiar with, but had not seen perform. I think I missed his set, but he called up Kyle Rapps (who we wrote about in the past, and who we had recently seen at Hip Hop Howl event) for a tag team freestyle session, subject matter based on random collected from audience members. Entertaining and skilled, these two were a fine start to the night.

Grabbed a beer. Blue Point was out, went for the Brooklyn Lager. On nights I take photos, like I planned to this night, I seldom get to leave once I stake out a good spot, so I end up parched for the whole night. This night, I pre-gamed a bit.

Wandering around to scope out things, I noticed tables set up toward the back of the bar, one staffed by Eternia, the Toronto native who spends enough time in NYC that she falls under our editorial jurisdiction, and therefore, has been on my radar. She’s selling T-Shirts that say “My favorite rapper wears a skirt”. Cute concept. She’s pretty in real life. I’ve heard her spit a couple times (most recently, on Ortiz’ Me, Myself & I mixtape that gets constant burn in the whip), so I was intrigued to see her live. I’ve heard good things.

Host for the night Jason Negron is on stage, so I stake out a good spot up front. Soundwavve is holding down DJ duties. He introduces NSR, who I only recently met online. He’s joined by DJ PortaRock. They open with a reenactment of Mad Men, complete with Don Draper-like apparel and a hard-hitting flip of the theme. Nicely done. Briefly reminds me of the Tah Phrum Duh Bush / Coole High record release event. I love creative shit.

NSR is charismatic on stage, energetic and eclectic musically, hitting several styles and tempos. Notably, he rocks over a reworking of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros “Home,” a non-hip hop favorite of mine.

“Beamer, Benz and Bentley” gets reworked as well, as “Cream Cheese, Butter, Jelly”. The crowd likes it, then carbohydrate pandemonium ensues as NSR, PortaRock and their crew launch a few dozen bagels into the crowd, who respond with exuberance, clamoring to collect a doughy souvenier. Bizarre, but fun. Only in New York.

The show moves on, and YC The Cynic is up next. I try and be journalistically impartial, but this kid really got something. I’ve seen him perform a couple of times, and while he got off to a shaky start (I think he lost his place briefly in his first song), he more than made up for it by ripping through a few strong selections from his excellent mixtape “You’re Welcome,” which I reviewed a while back. He kicks the track I like the most, YC rocking over the Fu-gee-la beat, and I can see the reaction of a couple of guys standing in the front. Their eyes widen and they look at each other as if to say, “Did you just hear that?!?” Connissours of wordplay no doubt, and well versed enough to know what they were catching was a bit above the norm. Uber-supporter, and strong MC in his own right Warren Britt led a small contingent of supporters in a rapalong, including Kalae All Day, who we have also featured and recommend highly (especially after her electrifying performance at the Black August Hip Hop Concert).

Awaiting Jah C and The Antidote, more wandering around (thanks to Warren Britt for holding my spot so I could get another drink and mingle a bit). Met Kosha Dillz properly as he worked his own merch table, chatted a bit about the upcoming CMJ Music Marathon (he’s performing at it, we’re covering it), and he introduced me to MC PigPen, a rapper who is out in NYC all the way from Utah.

Then a quick “whattup” with Homeboy Sandman, our very first “Reason Why NY Hip Hop Doesn’t Suck”. Again, though I attempt to remain impartial, I’ve become a big fan of his work, to the point where my 12-year-old son is now a fan. In fact, a recent day at the newspaper where I also work, went like this:

Me: <playing Homeboy Sandman’s “Calm Tornado” and then “Listen,” from his The Good Sun LP>
Unaware, but cool and musically open-minded co-worker: <during “Listen”> Who is this, Common?
Me: Nah. Homeboy Sandman.
Him: … Homeboy Sandman … … … He’s fucking good.
Me: Yep.

Thus, I attempt to advocate for NY hip hop, one person at a time. (Mind you, this is the co-worker who put me on to the aforementioned “Home”. I love how this night is full of things coming around full circle.)

In any event, Homeboy Sandman and I spoke briefly, and he said some kind words about my work with BirthplaceMag.com. I am extremely appreciative for his kind words.

The show continued with Jah C and the Antidote, a rapping/singing/hip-hop/R&B/band with a polished sound and a strong stage presence. Danceable tracks, high energy, James Brown throwback music, quality vocals and well-produced tracks delivered a professional and enjoyable first impression.

Wandering between sets, I ran into other NYC hip hop scene regulars, including DJ M-Tri, Fresh Daily, K. Gaines and Ciph Diggy (aka Sleepwalkas), the incomparable duo of Natty S. and Donovan Kasp, and fellow blogger and NYC hip hop supporter extraordinaire, Jessica “IHeartDilla” Estevez, whose www.iHeartDilla.com was also a sponsor of the event. A nice treat after the event was running into Rah Digga (Digga’s Classic LP, her first album in 10 years, is now available).

Back to the stage, and Eternia was up. A dichotomy of a female MC, she is in one breath a gruff-voiced, intense spittress, and in the next, she flashes a sparkling smile, speaking casually with the audience in a display of seasoned stage presence and everygirl charm. Ripping through tracks from her At Last project with producer Moss, and bringing Jessica Naomi Kaya to join her in reworking Miguel’s “All I Want Is You,” Eternia demonstrated a fiery spirit, crowd control and sharp delivery, winning over those in the swelling audience perhaps in attendance primarily for the rougher edged faction of the hip hop spectrum. A quick jump into the crowd, she rocked among the people, undoubtedly winning a few new fans, and moving up a few notches on my list in the process.

Those wanting a bit of a rougher edge, didn’t have to wait long, as Camden, NJ representative Apollo The Great followed, working the crowd, segueing from song to song, speaking on the perils of street life. A solid performer over well-produced headnodders, Apollo made a particular impact with a rapid fire delivery on one of his last songs. I didn’t catch the name of it (or simply can’t remember), but I’ll be definitely be checking for Apollo to get my hands on that track, and to see what else he’s working with.

Finally, it was time for the main event. YAOWAs ensue. Music plays. But before Joell Ortiz emerges, upcoming tourmate Prop Anon (Propaganda Anonymous) comes out to get  the party re-started. I’ve met Prop Anon, and have some of his material that I need to get to, so it was good to get further acquainted with him by watching him do his thing.

I did, however, stop to think that it’s a really tough time for a performer to go on stage. On one hand, it’s a great opportunity to be the one picked by the headliner to open up for him, but on the other hand, the audience is so amped for the main event, the impatience becomes nearly visible in the air, and I can imagine it’s tough for a performer to have to endure. In any event, Prop Anon did well, and introduces Ortiz. And out he comes.

My position, which had been great for the rest of the night, was a bit too far forward, as Ortiz didn’t waste a minute before charging to the front of the stage, to stand at the very edge, feet to face with an amplified, adoring crowd, who engaged with Ortiz as he ripped through early songs, receiving word for word crowd rapalong, even with songs as recent as “Battle Cry,” from his recent Farewell Summer EP. This was a loyal, vocal crowd. (Too vocal at times. Groupies, take it down a notch in ‘011.)

Ortiz’ set was energetic, but short, as he rattled off a few of his better known material, including his “Deep Cover” freestyle, the first verse of “Call Me” and “Nissan Honda Chevy”. Overall, a sweat inducing, respectable effort, it was an Ortiz tornado as opposed to the longer, more devastating hurricane-like effort over the summer at Highline Ballroom or B.B. King’s, but a powerful display nonetheless.

With so many of our “reasons why NY hip hop doesn’t suck” in one place at one time, it was a good night on several fronts. Good talent, good music, a good crowd, good bagels, good proof that BirthplaceMag.com is working for a good cause, good pictures and a (hopefully) good recap.

Good times.

Click here for our entire photo gallery from the Joell Ortiz show at Southpaw on 9/20/2010