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Roots & Leaves from a Brooklyn Tree
Article by:
Michael Ivey
 The Roots:
A brazen hustler/rapper tags along with his old head on the way to eighties Hip Hop icon Big Daddy Kane’s house. Kane digs the kid’s swag and rapid delivery, lets him get busy on a crew cut and -it’s not exactly the kid’s big break but…-the rest is history. Later, via borrowed bars and flare, we realize how much Kane’s music affected said neo; or however it went down.
The Leaves:
A decade or more passes. The former crack dealer has flipped the poison profits into serious rap dollars. He has not only become a pop icon but is regarded by most as one of if not the best ever to spit. During a visit to Chicago he gives rare audience to a burgeoning young lyricist and takes him under the arm pit. Several record deals fall through for the Chi-guy, but his new big homie agrees to executive produce the Atlantic Records debut. Fortunately or unfortunately the super advance leak wows fans and critics; or however it went down.
Rain and Jay-Z’s highly anticipated ‘Reasonable Doubt’ show almost overshadowed Saturday’s Second Annual Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival- almost. The Room Service Group dashed about Tobacco Warehouse in ponchos trying to create the ideal concert environment but it took a while. While Rawkus Records bangers The Procussions were unafraid to rap/rock it out-mo-hawks and all-and indie songstress Maya Azucena added serious soul, excitement was perpetually fifteen minutes away. Fifteen minutes later, another DJ set, and sporadic showers kept most hands and heads near immobile.
Things did brighten when unexpected guests, Brooklyn natives, Buckshot and Sean Price took over the stage. Buck confirmed he is still the Al Jarreau of flow via “How Many MCs” and, backed by Buck and his own young son, Sean PPPPP bellowed his personal anthem minutes from home base. Rhymefest engaged concert goers with that “Brand New,” at times kicking real freestyles in their midst. Though his groovy cadences came clean through the mic, Sleepy Brown’s set mostly helped the rain dampen. Aside from the Outkast hits, his vibes just didn’t fit. Only when lyrical skate bandit Lupe Fiasco sauntered upon stage to Nas’ “Thief’s Theme” did the show Kick, Push off sort of speak. When fans know you’re mixtape bars word for word you know you’ve arrived. Jay-Z’s protégé earned “oohs” and “ahhs” for his dynamic wordplay during “Conflict Diamonds” and “Failure.” Stage right a certain member of a Brooklyn Click observed, visibly unimpressed, but the starved crowd was undeterred by Lupe’s occasional lack of energy. Even he admitted his show game could use a few Red Bulls, but Brooklyn Tilted, Kicked and Pushed right along with him. Lupe announced yet another release date for ‘Food & Liquor’-August 29-, teased us with the first verse of his Neptunes produced second single, and bragged, “The song with me and Jay-Z is crazy!” Afterwards, as fans and press rushed the FNF VP, it was clear the future was in the building.
However, there’s no present or future without the past right? Mac, lyricist and legend are just three adjectives that describe the festival’s headliner. Donned in a red silk shirt and matching shades, Big Daddy Kane appeared like a Hip Hop Elvis. To anyone who wonders why he still hangs onto rap: it’s simply because he can. The lyrics within his notoriously swift flow were Bohemian Ocean water clear during “Warm it Up Kane” and other classics. The crowd relished the moment when “Ain’t No Half Steppin” dropped and Kane revived his signature hit. The songs rocked and astounded, but it was Kane’s tribute to our fallen soldiers that made the heaviest impact. He repeatedly called for “a moment of noise” to celebrate the lives of Brooklyn native The Notorious B.I.G, Tupac, Big L, and others after recalling their triumphs behind D’Angelo’s “How Does it Feel.” The galvanized crowd roared Smalls!, Pac! and L! as Jay-Z’s predecessor conducted Hip Hop service. Kane concluded the sermon by spitting his verse from Big L’s posthumous cut “Platinum Plus” without missing a beat.
Jay-Z may have packed the house two nights in a row for the commemoration of ‘Reasonable Doubt,’ but two emcees connected to his past, present and future lead his native borough through the storm. The Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival may have had a dreary start, but in the end it seemed fans had no regrets.
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Must have been off the chain....rochesterny has a music fest july 8th & 9th...big daddy kane, marley marl, whodini, & doug e fresh are all performing