REVIEW BY KEMET D. COLEMAN*
Biz Markie's timing was impeccable. Kansas City needed an event like his performance last night downtown. With the disappointing news of the Kansas City Wizards stadium probably nesting across the state line, Kansas Citians were wondering what their beloved city could do right. Ironically, the answer was provided by the Power & Light District. Still recovering from the sting of the DJ Jazzy Jeff debacle, Cordish, the company that owns the district, has since facilitated an upward trend of booking hip-hop legends to perform at the KC LIVE! Stage and environs. It seems no one is really complaining.
Thursday was no different. As the brisk air swept through the open area, grateful fans enjoyed obligatory drinks and awaited Biz Markie's entrance to the stage at 10:45 p.m. The thin yet diverse crowd eventually picked up as Biz calmly strutted to the turntables already set up on the stage. As he began spinning, one could immediately sense the urgency of the spectators rocking to the thumping beat. Could the music have been turned up a bit more? Sure, but every face observing seemed pleased.
More people gathered toward the front as he stepped from behind his turntables, grabbed the mic and embraced his perhaps best-known role as a beatboxer. As he turned his mouth into a drum machine, I heard a series of oh my gods and no ways from the people around me. Meanwhile, Markie placed the microphone on the top of his head while beatboxing to emulate the muffled sound of party next door.
He then began rapping brief snippets of popular songs such as his own hit, "Just a Friend." He even sang for a bit.
Disappointment soon ensued, however, as Markie's hype man ordered the crowd to "give it up!" for him. The set was extremely short - only lasting about 25 minutes. The VIP afterparty at Mosaic, however, promised a continuance of Markie's performance. The club, in the meantime, had been under the musical direction of local DJ Spinstyles, who was soon interrupted from his trance-fused hip-hop set.
Markie got up and immediately played a perfect mix of danceable hip-hop classics. Needless to say, Mosaic was packed and full of energy.
Despite the Power & Light district's unfortunate accusations as being racist, a shimmer of hope could be seen throughout last night's proceedings. Yes, I was asked to remove my straw Stetson hat to comply with the "dress code," but I observed no one getting removed from the premises - least of all the main act!
Could it be a new strategy for Cordish - perhaps? At least they're seeing that when it comes to city life, the "beat" downtown just ain't the same without an 808 kick or snare. Let's hope this surge in urban music is not a mere trend. One would hope for more jazz and blues as well, as represented on the Power & Light's south-facing mural. Regardless, Cordish as well as the Kansas City community should use this fun night as a stepping stone to mend the severed ties of the past.
Let's face it, Power & Light at this point is downtown's only hope and WE are its only means of survival. It's about time this city does something right.
*Guest reviewer Kemet D. Coleman is a hip-hop MC and producer who performs as thePhantom*. Check out his beats at myspace.com/thephantom816 and Phantastic.me.
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Good job Kemet! It would be nice to see you do this type of work again.......
Peace (Lets keep this movement movin!!!)
Billy,
Sounds like fun! Actually, if you'd like to see this event in the blog or events section of Pitch.com, feel free to email the info to jason.harper@pitch.com.
Thanks
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