M.O.P. Rock Southpaw: With Top $ Raz, Sleepwalkas, Skotch Davis and The Upperclass Men [CONCERT REVIEW, PHOTOS, VIDEO]

The live performance often transforms an ordinary album track into something magical. With the right group and the right venue, seeing a song come to life on stage can elevate that song, in some instances making it better. Proof of this came in the form of a concert event at Southpaw in Park Slope, co-sponsored by Brooklyn Bodega and headlined by Brooklyn’s own M.O.P. Southpaw may not be the largest venue in New York, but the coziness and intimacy of the place makes it feel much larger. The acoustics are amazing and M.O.P., along with a talented crop of rising NYC artists that opened for the legendary group, delivered nothing but lively performances and dope music.

The Upperclass Men, reppin’ Brooklyn, led off the show with an inspired set. Visually, they may have a punk rock aesthetic, but these guys can spit. With a live band cranking out on all cylinders, the three MCs, HD, Mr. Harris and R.S., delivered a hard-edged and fresh punk/rock/rap fusion sound, commanding the stage like they owned it.

Next up was Harlem’s Skotch Davis, also backed by a live band. Skotch took the stage and delivered almost as much energy as The Upperclass Men all by his lonesome. Thriving on the live instrumentation behind him, Skotch’s bravado made him look like a seasoned veteran. In grand fashion, he closed with “Parading,” a dope track off his debut EP, What Took So Long…? Skotch Davis is nice, and you should definitely check out his most recent mixtape, The Skotch Tape, to hear more.

Brooklyn’s Sleepwalkas (Ciph Diggy, K. Gaines & DJ M-Tri) took the stage next, though it was a strangely abbreviated set. It was unclear if perhaps the show was running behind schedule, or if I missed something, but in either case, their performance definitely left me wanting more. I suggest you take a look at our post regarding their April 14 album release party for their upcoming release Cookie Cutter Cornballs Can’t Cut It, going down at Sullivan Hall, and try and catch this entertaining crew in person.

Rhyming just before M.O.P., Far Rockaway’s Top $ Raz took to the stage. Basking off the success of his latest single and video, “The Man,” Raz performed that song and other tracks off his solid LP, The New Flesh (see our review here). Raz, sporting black Wayfarers and backed by his band , rhymed with confident swagger and a hype man that largely unnecessary; Raz can definitely hold his own. His big band versions of “So Beautiful” and “The Man” worked to his advantage, showcasing a good amount of versatility in his music, despite being a relative newcomer to the rap game.

Click here to see more pictures from M.O.P., The Upperclass Men, Skotch Davis, Sleepwalkas and Top $ Raz at Southpaw, April 7, 2011

Industry veterans Billy Danze and Lil’ Fame were in the house celebrating Lil’ Fame’s birthday and delivering their signature Mash Out Posse flavor. M.O.P. played it safe with a DJ setup, but to be fair, M.O.P.’s sound is way too gritty to be played with instruments. You simply need a DJ pumping those classic street beats. Opening with “Cold as Ice” and ripping through their lyrics on tracks like “Bang Time” and “Ante Up,” M.O.P. is as hard as you get. Sharing liquor with the audience and asking all the weed smokers to light their lighters, these seasoned performers knew how to keep the crowd involved and entertained. The mood remained festive as Lil’ Fame partook in some birthday cake on stage, and gave props to the legendary DJ Premier.

Aside from the highlight of the energetically hardcore veterans M.O.P, the night was an ode to the variety and richness of talent that we’ve been seeing in the underground scene. Artists are experimenting with their sound and stepping out of the box to create unique music that stands out amongst all the rappers that continue to sound like carbon copies of each other, and this event was another testament to the fact that if you think hip hop is dead, then you don’t know hip hop. On this night in Brooklyn, hip hop was alive and well.

Special Thanks to Brooklyn Bodega’s Marilyn Alonzo, Pamela Bishop and Wes Jackson. Keep an eye out on www.BrooklynBodega.com for details regarding this year’s Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival, it’s not to be missed.

Click here to see more pictures from M.O.P., The Upperclass Men, Skotch Davis, Sleepwalkas and Top $ Raz at Southpaw, April 7, 2011

Photos by Steven Ortiz

The Upperclass Men perform “Oh No”

M.O.P. peform “Ante Up”