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Funkmaster Flex’s evolving Hip Hop Legends series continues to deliver on its promise of Golden Era artists performing live on the B.B. King Blues Club stage on 42nd Street in New York City (10/20/10), so it was a little disturbing to see Cassidy listed as one of the artists scheduled to perform. As someone behind me asked, “Why is he here?! He’s no legend!”
Indeed, how is it that Cassidy ended up on this lineup? All he did on stage was brag and boast about himself, his new independent deal, how he’s executive producing and is on his way to perform in Russia, but no one in attendance really seemed interested in hearing what he had to say. Being booed throughout his performance, I can only guess that this does not bode well for his November album release.
The night was not a bust however, as soon, Hot 97’s Peter Rosenberg introduced The Artifacts to the stage, although they were missing Tame One. El Da Sensei rocked the mic until Large Professor came through and did a bunch of solo joints before he dipped into the Main Source catalog, dropping verses from “Fakin’ the Funk” and “Looking at The Front Door.” Xtra P never disappoints so it was refreshing to see him rock the stage.
Click to see more photos from the Hip Hop Legends concert at B.B. King Blues Club on 10/20/10
The Beatnuts, last seen by us performing in the off- Broadway production of Deez Nuts, entertained with crowd favorites “Reign of the Tec” and “Off The Books.” Greg Nice, of Nice N Smooth, joined JuJu and Psycho Les and dropped his popular ad-libs from “No Escapin’ This.” Greg Nice delivered verses from his own party starters, “No Delayin” and “Hip Hop Junkies” sans partner Smooth B, who now resides in California and perhaps isn’t readily available for impromptu performances anymore. Greg Nice mentioned that the release of his first solo album is imminent.
With DJ Alamo on the wheels of steels, the time came for Brand Nubian to shine, but this time without Lord Jamar, his whereabouts unknown. Grand Puba and Sadat X held it down, but it’s not really Brand Nubian unless all three members are there. Sadat X ran through “One-Nine-Nine-Nine,” and Grand Puba took to the stage to do “Step to the Rear,” “What’s the 411?” and “I Like It.” Grand Puba and Sadat X joined together to do “All for One,” “Slow Down,” “Punks Jump Up to Get Beat Down,” and “Wake Up (Reprise in The Sunshine).”
Busta Rhymes came on stage to grab the mic but instead of rhyming, spent a few minutes expressing his gratitude and appreciation for Grammy award winning producer and former A&R executive, Dante Ross, who signed Busta to his first solo deal and was responsible for launching the careers of Brand Nubian, Pete Rock and CL, Queen Latifah, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, De La Soul and 3rd Bass.
Marley Marl then introduced Pete Rock and CL Smooth and it felt like the early 90’s again, with CL still sounding as smooth as he did back in the Golden Era. The crowd rocked to “Mecca and the Soul Brother” and “Lots of Lovin.”
CL gave the mic to Pete Rock as he emerged from behind the turntables and rapped his verse from “The Creator.” The classic 1992 “They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.),” arguably one of best tracks to come out of this fabled hip hop time period, closed out the show.