Beats & Breaks - May 23, 2009
Review by Tyler Clark
On May 23rd, history was made! Stars and Scars held their first ever hip hop show with fantastic results!
Team Massacre are up first, and they're ready to party! From the start, they effortlessly create an atmosphere of undeniable fun, combining catchy dance beats with quick, snappy one liners! Their surprisingly vulgar lyrics should not be taken too seriously; Team Massacre are all about having a laugh and a good time. They keep the party atmosphere going and the energy level consistently high! Some songs stretch on and on, making their set feel repetitive at times. They finish up sweaty, tired, and with each member sporting a huge grin!
Next up is a shared set between Badnew$ and J.Rill. Badnew$ takes center stage first, while J. Rill dominates the second half of the set, keeping up a ridiculously fast pace with his machine gun flow. Their set is very raw, honest, and emotional. Both Badnew$ and J. Rill have an energy that pulls you in and demands your attention. Their confidence level, which is through the roof, is shown in the passionate delivery of each and every line. As Badnew$ and J. Rill finish up their set, it's easy to see they've won over a lot of new fans!
It's time for The Hook Club who are sporting a live drummer (Chris LoPorto from A Love Like Pi) to provide all the beats in person! It's a cool touch; when I think of hip hop beats, I usually picture a drum machine. Vocals are fast and intense, never skipping a beat. As The Hook Club perform song after song, they don't falter for one moment. Of course, the crowd starts to feel this energy and soon the whole hall lights up! The Hook Club finish their set with the audience buzzing and confidence clearly on display from an incredible set!
Just as Ally Ink'd set is getting started, technical difficulties pull the plug early. J. Rill decides to turn a negative into a positive and starts to freestyle. Showing no fear, he raps over each and every beat that is thrown at him. J. Rill seems at home on the mic with a flawless flow of freestyles. Though this is Ally's time to shine, she makes no attempt to freestyle, despite the fact that freestyles are a major part of hip hop culture.
Last up is Chiddy Bang, a group who mix elements of traditional rock with hip hop; guitar and drum mixes with samples become the foundation for rhymes. Their unique look and sound are instant attention grabbers! Chiddy Bang are on top of their game as they shine in the spotlight and effortlessly capture the room's attention! Watching them play, you can clearly see happiness on display. Chiddy Bang's set is amazing, innovative and an absolute joy to watch. By the end of the night, I'm reminded how much fun going to a show can truly be!