To my readers outside DC, I definitely recommend checking out the Rock The Bells concert when it comes to your city. This was easily the most entertaining and well-organized hip hop show that I have ever been to. I mean, to have this many legendary acts on the bill, and have them all actually show up and perform virtually as scheduled is unheard of. Most rap shows, it seems like it takes 45 minutes to an hour bewteen each performer. That is, if the main act even shows up at all.
I remember the first time I had tickets to a Wu-Tang Clan show back in college. The only members of the group to show up were U-God and Masta Killa. Since people paid good money to see the entire Wu-Tang Clan, and only the two least-talented members arrived, there was understandable anger and backlash. At one point, a couple of folks threw plastic water bottles at U-God.
Luckily, the Rock The Bells lineup was stacked with top-notch talent, from top to bottom. I’m just going to run down the highlights in a bulleted list, since that will both be easier for you all to read, and less stuff for me to type at 2:30A.M.
- Nas not only has the number 1 album in the country, but he also put on the best show of the night. His set was amazing, and he had the entire crowd going crazy. It was definitely something I’ll remember for a long time
- Redman and Method Man are still two of the most energetic performers in all of music. Stage dives? Check. Running into the crowd and greeting fans? Check. Shoving away some overzealous dude who got a little too close to Method Man for comfort? Check. You can’t ask for anything more.
- Rakim is old for no reason…like, Morgan Freeman old…but the man still knows how to move the crowd. Gotta salute possibly the most influential emcee to ever do it.
- It was special to finally get a chance to see A Tribe Called Quest live in concert. I heard that Phife has been suffering from diabetes, but he appeared healthy and energetic while performing the classics with Q-Tip.
- There was a woman walking around Merriweather Post Pavillion with ridiculously large breast implants in a gold bikini top who kept crying out for attention from the crowd. My lovely friend Kristen and I had a philosophical discussion on the assumptions made by society about women with obviously fake implants. I was like “She could have some kind of noble pursuit. Maybe she’s a schoolteacher. Or a deaconess in the church. Ok…the church thing was a stretch, huh? Well, maybe she’s a political activist. Or maybe…a stripper in some nasty Baltimore club.”
- I was hoping to see Kidz In The Hall over on the second stage since I really like their album, The In Crowd. Unfortunately, they performed at the same time as Raekwon and Ghostface Killah. Since Ghostface is one of my all-time favorites, I couldn’t bring myself to miss seeing him live.
- Immortal Technique has a really interesting back story, and he’s very socially conscious. He’s also VERY angry! It’s not a game to that dude, and he’ll yell that sh*t in your ear, just to make sure that you understand. He actually hollered out “I don’t give a mother fu*ck! You’re gonna f*ck around and get your mother f*cked!”, or something very close to that during a break in his performance. Stay on this man’s good side, please!
- All kinds of hip hop legends were walking the grounds of the pavillion, showing love to folks and enjoying the show. B-Real from Cypress Hill walked right past me, and I immediately started thinking about how I’d put Hand On The Pump on my CD player and try not to rhyme along to it out loud for fear that mom would slap me in the mouth for cursing. Murs also walked right past me, looking like the 2008 Basquiat and whatnot.
- People were loving the “Kiss Me I’m Black” shirt I had on. Especially white women, for some reason. I felt like a 1st round NFL draft pick while walking around the place.
- Mos Def puts on a pretty good show, but he’s a GREAT hype man! He performed a couple of times with Q-Tip, and he was as animated as anything on Cartoon Network!
There is much more that I can write, but I’m sure that you all got the gist of what my main point is: Rock The Bells is a must-see show. Find out when it’s coming to your city, and by all means, GO AND SUPPORT REAL HIP HOP!
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Damn slick, I aint know you were gonna be up there. I was rockin’ all night playa… especially when Nas tore the roof off! Check me out, I posted some pics and a few vids.
I was there too and the show was EXCELLENT from beginning to end. The only slow spots for me were Mos Def on his set and Jay Electronica. Mos seemed to have more fun rhyming with Otip then doing his own stuff.
That show was TOTALLY worth how tired I feel today.
I was thisclose to buying Nicole’s extra ticket from her, but I’ve seen most of them before. Glad you enjoyed it.
@ KayelleJaye, I ran into Nicole. The usher people interrogated her for passing out flyers. It was hilarious!
@G.Mo and Curly Q, yeah it’s worth the sleepiness because I had a great time. I’m about to check out those photos @ G.Mo. @ Curly Q, the Pharcyde spot got a little slow at times, but it was still great to see them back together. I bought the overpriced shirt with their old logo that has the fire hydrant peeing on the dog LOL
I’m seeing it in NYC this weekend!!!
Sounds like it was a great show! Might have to check it out if it comes to VA(if it hasn’t already left here and if I have the money)
I got that shirt too. I found out from the folks associated with the show that Merriweather refused to allow them to sell copies of their new music due to the fact that they couldn’t pad the price to make it worth MW’s while (they take a 50% cut of all souvenier sales).
I even saw that sorry ass white boy that sweated Meth so hard. He was pressed to show Meth a tat on his arm. Insisting several times that Meth look at it. It was sooooo sad. A bunch of us from our section clowned him HARD on our way out.
I forgot my camera – so I didnt get any pics – be sure to post them somewhere on this site or send them to me.
That’s the truth about Mos being a hypeman. At one point he had his whole body on top of a speaker so he could vibrate with it and he had a huge smile on his face. He’s starting to remind me of Flav, just a weird guy.
This might be the first time where you and I were in the same place and we didn’t run into each other. I, and my bellz, were thoroughly ROCKED!!
I too Rocked the Bells last night and my ears JUST stopped ringing. I hate that I missed Immortal Technique and I came in on Rakim’s last song but everything else was legit! Nas was ill but De la made my night! I know “we” just saw them in a more intimate setting a few months ago but they once again reminded me of why i loved hip hop. Didn’t know about Phife and the “sugar” issue. When my homie and I were leaving she turned to me all serious like, “is he sick? I’m worried about him, he’s really thin.” Loved, loved, loved Meth and Redman! They are always energetic. I think the highlight for me was Raekwon and Ghostface for multiple reasons. They are always dope and my boy was so hype to see them he sent me a message on the big screen. (corny I know.lol) I love when hip hop brings joy to the people.
@ BigBrwnEyez, I tried to send “ListenToLeon.net Yeah, I said it!” over the big screen, but they didn’t show it. I knew I wouldn’t get a chance for free advertising that easily!
@ Hostess, too bad we didn’t run into each other ;)
@ DChero, his set was a little wierd. He did almost as much dancing to other people’s music as performing his own. Plus, he gets a little too happy with that crooning sh*t sometimes.
@ CurlyQ, M.P.P. made a KILLING that day beteen food, merchandise, liquor, and that damned ATM machine!
@ Miss Jay, I highly recommend it
@ Zen, you’ll love it!
The show was def worth the money, and the tired feeling today people. Leon that shirt is cool as hell. I talked to you at the food stand about it. Def going to get two of them. Check out RTB for yourself people to know how good it really is.
mad I missed this one but mommy duty calls.. I’ll live vicariously thru u and g mo though
I don’t know bout the rest of y’all who went but my ears are still ringing and I’m tired as hell. After I get out this office I’m going home to crash!!! Got home after midnight and had to be here at 8am.
I’ll prolly throw my clothes from yesterday in the wash cuz they smell like all day smoke session with Cypress Hill. Plus being in The Pit I was sweating like Marion Barry in a room with Nino Brown so all my gear was soaked as well. Gotta get that good Tide and Downy to freshen em up.
@G-Mo–You were gangsta enough for the pit? I salute you! I figured if the show was all darn day I needed a seat. *smile* Besides, I probably would have dropped Meth or Red when they jumped into the crowd. Wouldn’t have been a good look.
@Leon–I think you must have had to have Verizon to get on the big screen. I sent one in before my boy did and he got 2 on and mine didn’t even show up. Only diff was that i had att and he has verizon. Damn Merriweather and their Verizon affiliation. Whats the next good show coming to town? Anyone know?
thanks for the rundown, i’m gonna see it in san francisco in a couple weeks!
Surprised I didn’t see you there. I’ve seen a good majority of these guys live before, and it was a plus to have seen them al line show. By far one of the best concerts I been to. I didnt think it could of top last years, until I saw the line up months ago. Glad they showed up and put on a great show. I was drrrrrrunk.
al line show.
^ WTF? I mean to say “all in one show”
we was there but couldn;t hang, we left after Mos Def, saw Nas before.. but like someone else said De LA was the SHAT…….really enjoyed that joint, tho it was hot as hell and them periodic rain showers only made it hotter, we was tired a mofo going home but glad we went.
he good to see you enjoyed the show. I agree with mostly everything you mentioned in your article. Rock the Bells did Rock. My company had the privilege to cover rock the bells San Francisco. I posted up a very nice photo gallery for almost every set. Check it out:
ROCK
THE
BELLS
Good Vibes……Anwar
Anwar, that concert was great. I still get the e-mails about the set times and lineups, so I know that the San Francisco show was pretty recent. Great Rock The Bells collage on your site, by the way. Did you do that yourself? If so, nice work!
@ Phoenix7, I felt sticky when I got home from that show, from sweating so much!
@ Big Homie, one of my good friends was drunker that I’ve EVER seen him that day! His level of innebriation reminded me of the photos you have from Love on your Myspace page!
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