The Independent’s Day Showcase Review [April 13, 2011]

BILLED ACTS

Now if anyone reading this has read any of my previous reviews or tweets, it should be clearly known that I love a dope acapella. And here it was. Making his way from Milwaukee, the now-Bronx resident Adebisi kicked in my heart starting his set in a capella. Also going by BLAXLIFE, this Midwesterner made note that now here in New York, he “couldn’t picture myself naked. I know I gotta make it”. Damn. Working to engage his audience, Adebisi noted that he had dropped an EP that very day, but insisted on performing pieces from a future work. He “likes to be a step ahead.” That really sparked my interest as being a marketing and promotion rarity. And then he sang. Did I just fall in love?? Well not entirely; as I do love my do-it-all DIYs. I didn’t really get a chance to hear his full ability because the vocals were breathed between his flows making it a little harsh (He needs me on the chorus; I’m just saying.) Moving forward into a speedflow, the crowd approved with tentative ears. Getting hot, and agreeably so, Adebisi takes off his jacket to expose his T-shirt. And then I saw it. He had the Bismillah (the Islamic prayer starting “In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful) on his tee. But there’s a diamond on top of it. Is he saying money is God or money over God? (I asked him afterwards and he states he just knew a guy who made the shirt and he liked it. Done. Me and my overanalyzing.) His next song was all about weed. Yup, weed, or as he says, “tongue kissing Mary Jane.” He proceeds to bop around like Tupac in “I Get Around,” getting the crowd to bop along, repeating his declaration of the things many people have affinities for: “liquor, weed, sex / cash, cars and checks.”

Side Note: Coming out to support her fellow Milwaukee buck, feMC Signif was in the building and I shared a few words with her about being a female in the industry in either side (hers being performing while mine being writing) and just the slant of power in manifestation (or womanifestation). We Magic School Bussed to the center of the earth with the quickness in between sets to discuss what really needs airtime in hip hop. Needless to say, Signif is truly a gift who believes in unity and community. Follow more of her thoughts @Signif.

Our last Jersey act for the night, or should I say Jer[sey]maine, Emcee Jermaine came to plate, camo pants and all, to make sure everyone knew he was ready for battle. If I can just quote my notes for a moment, I just wrote “Yo he is nasty. Every other line, crowd is ‘ooooooooooo'”. So, that’s pretty much what happened. “Mo Fire” had all the heads ringing like Dr. Dre (hell yeah); Emcee Jermaine got the Head Nod Award for the night. Exposing more of his T-shirt (it was really all about tees at The Indie Day Show), Emcee Jermaine showed an image of a big fish swimming away from a school of little fish forming the shape of a much larger fish. It simply said “Organize.” Approved. And then he went in. No literally, on his next track, “Go In,” MC Jermaine’s flow was infectious. “On a scale of 1 to 10 / I’m like the Pi symbol.” Immeasurable. Like I say, nothing better than an acapella flow. Leaving with his current single “88 Straight Bars,” he states, “I want my music to sound like I walk into the room and turn on the light.” Going 88 straight bars, the audience didn’t relent either, and recited every single line with MC Jermaine. Then he let up and the crowd finished the track. My notes? “That went hard.”

Emcee Jermaine – The Crazy 88
[audio:crazy88.mp3]

Our last act for The Indie Day Show was arguably the illest group of countless members since Wu-Tang, O.I.S.D.

J.O. entered with fire which continued to burn throughout the set, while Khid 2che just wanted everyone to know, “we just tryna make our mamas proud.” And proud they would be! In terms of teamwork, it was refreshing to see that no one tried to top the other for the limelight. J Monopoly created an Onyx-like “Slam” moment, and E.Y.E.Q. announced they were “Leaders of the True School” with an insanely ill beat. Much crowd participation was felt, to the point that a fan walked himself into the set standing with the MCs. Not to be tooo awkward, J Monopoly braced under the fan’s shoulder and nicely walked him back into the crowd. “How cute.” O.I.S.D gets into this speedflow that was a little illegible at first, but was forgiven, mainly due to their sheer hypeness. Just for reference, J.O. has Busta Rhymes-like energy, eliciting a few “huh ha huh ha HAH!!”‘s along the way. And as the group strives to “Keep yo hands high like a rollercoaster,” they really just created a moshpit. Rounding out the song, J Monopoly freestyled a recap of the evening’s festivities, including shouting out to birthday girl (and Hip Hop Head/ #1 Supporter) Donyetta (including buying her a drink), his homegirl Kia, Top $ Raz, Jessica Estevez of iHeartDilla and The Mad Bloggers. They definitely blew it up. For more, listen to their latest EP release, Houston & 1st.

This was officially a “Bassment Party” because there was nothing but the cool kids in the building. Much love and thanks to Jessica Estevez of iHeartDilla.com and Q and OC Supreme, aka The Mad Bloggers. This event was a big thumbs up to the iNYdie scene. Until next time…

Seriously,
Mecca