Hip Hop History Live at Canal Room – Nice & Smooth, Brand Nubian, Pete Rock & CL Smooth [Recap, Photos, Video]

From the moment the dynamic rap duo Nice & Smooth explosively emerged on to the stage, to a reunited Brand Nubian, to CL Smooth standing nostalgically triumphant while a packed Canal Room sung along to “T.R.O.Y.,” concertgoers were immersed in old school rap revelry as “Hip Hop History” came to life on October 27, 2011.

Undeterred by a surprisingly bitter burst of arctic air whipping through Manhattan streets, fans of iconic hip hop groups Nice & Smooth, Brand Nubian and Pete Rock & CL Smooth found respite from the weather, warmed by Canal Room’s comfortable interior and clean sound system.

Leading off the night, sometimes Greg Nice and Smooth B rhymed slow, sometimes they rhymed fast, but all the while, the audience rapped and sang along, flawlessly reciting words to classics like “More & More Hits,” “Hip Hop Junkies” and “No Delayin’.” Further adding to the old-school-vibe, Greg Nice veered from their “Funky For You,” breaking into a beatbox exhibition, to the enjoyment of the audience.

Both MCs took advantage of the friendly crowd and wireless mics, and at several times, jumped from the stage to perform with the people, the energetically exuberant Greg Nice taking it one step further, performing several songs standing among partygoers in the VIP loft.

Toward the end of their set, a Gang Starr shirt was held aloft on stage, signaling both the highly anticipated performance of the anthemic “DWYCK,” and a time to pause to reflect on the passing of Guru, who famously shared a verse with the duo on the DJ Premier-produced classic. But in a display of remembrance that perhaps only hip hop can produce, the mood was immediately transformed from that of a lighters-in-the-air vigil, to a vibrant hands-in-the-air, head-nodding, sing-a-long tribute as the choppy beat and swift DJ cuts ricocheted through the venue.

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“HIP HOP HISTORY LIVE” AT CANAL ROOM

The promotional theme of the show was “Hip Hop History Live,” and when Brand Nubian hit the stage, it indeed felt like a historical moment, as all four members of the veteran group were present and accounted for, including Grand Puba, who also found post-group success as a solo artist. Joined by Sadat X and Lord Jamar, with DJ Alamo on the turntables, the group shuffled between Brand Nubian songs, as well as some of each member’s solo efforts, with the crowd reacting the most in response to seminal tracks like Puba’s “What’s The 411,” and “What Goes Around,” and Brand Nubian hits like “All For One,” and “Slow Down.”

Though Grand Puba took a few minutes to speak on more serious social-economic issues, the mood during Brand Nubian’s performance was generally nostalgic and fun, a solid effort that at moments truly transported listeners back to the group’s heyday.

With his sharp, distinctive voice, intelligent lyrics and charismatic flow, CL Smooth spent the peak of his career perfectly matched with his sonic counterpart, acclaimed DJ/producer Pete Rock, and despite a breakup years ago, the two headlined this occasion with precision and energy, as if Mecca and the Soul Brother dropped yesterday.

Rocking soulful, jazzy tracks like “Straighten It Out” and “Lots of Lovin” that made them one of hip hop’s most prolific groups, CL Smooth thoroughly engaged the crowd while Pete Rock effortlessly re-delivered an audio backdrop that helped define a decade.

Despite the onslaught of 90’s hip hop classics throughout, the song of the night clearly belonged to this duo. The crowd roared as the familiar horns and rumbling bassline of “They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)” echoed hauntingly through the speakers. As the drums kicked in, CL Smooth led those in attendance into the timeless jam, dedicated to fallen comrade-in-musical-arms, Trouble T-Roy, of Heavy D’s crew The Boyz.

At one point during CL Smooth’s delivery, an instructive “Rewiiiiind” was given to the crown, presumably to allow Pete Rock to restart the song from the beginning for another go-round, but the crowd wouldn’t let go, continuing to recite one of rap music’s all-time greatest hits word for word, while a stoic CL Smooth simply stood back watching in approval.

Classic flavors.

In all, three rap groups, years removed from being in the spotlight, were eagerly met by a hometown audience of enthusiastic fans, celebrating their collective legacy, remembering an earlier, some would say simpler time in hip hop history. As with other old-school themed rap shows in our area, it is clear that hip hop’s forefathers can still pull a crowd, and still rock the house.

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“HIP HOP HISTORY LIVE” AT CANAL ROOM

Nice & Smooth – DWYCK

Brand Nubian – All For One

Pete Rock & CL Smooth – T.R.O.Y.

(Videos Filmed & Edited by Nastee for 4word Productions – Courtesy of www.4wordproductions.org