If You’re Not Here to Perform, Keep Yo Ass at Home

Some folks just know how to start a show. “We aint got midgets jumpin outta canyons and shit….we just some niggas rappin,” was the  irreverent standout statement of the three-man group Pac Div from Upland, California. Lyrics like “Pullin hoes since Bo Jackson was a Raider/I’m so player, think I might run for mayor” ran flat for Houston Hip Hop heads who packed the House of Blues for The Hangover Tour as they patiently waited for some excitement to hit the stage. Pac Div finally exited, but one of the members couldn’t resist one last crack, “I see a lot of bitter faces out there…FUCK YOU!”

Well fuck you too lame dudes from San Bernardino who got no respect from the “H”!

Next up Bobby Ray, aka B.O.B stepped up to the bitter but sweet challenge of moving the Texas crowd with his high energy set mixed with a live guitar solo, a solid acapella flow about “crappy rap,” and the blessing of Bun B.  Other than Bun’s obvious excitement for the newcomer with flip camera in hand, the crowd was really feeling the dude. With his two female background singers, he brought the essence of a Bob Marley festival with a southern twang. His excitement for music was refreshing and it was obvious he was comfortable on the stage.

Despite the lack of radio play, he’s not a no-name. Bobby Ray has been featured on the cover of XXL and Vibe as a promising newcomer with the likes of Wale and Asher Roth. He also has the ok from the big boss T.I being signed with Grand Hustle. So yeah that’s all sweet. The bitter fact is that he gave a huge shout out to Austin, Texas in the city of Houston. We hate shitty, irresponsible mistakes and we’ll show it. This city barely gives non-radio heavy hitters a chance. Of course, Houston did what Houston does best, we booed and booed some more just in case he didn’t hear it. But Bobby Ray stuck to his guns and killed the nonsense with his talent — and talent can never be denied.

Act three was Asher Roth and friends. A pale blue-eyed dirty blond graced us with his presence as he rode his toy Cadillac scooter onto the stage. With a hype man, a drummer, a lion mascot and DJ on stage; Asher partied like it was the last day of school.

He’s slick for a white dude. You either go hard or go home as a rapper regardless of race and he is definitely in this game to win it. Folks compare him to Eminem, which is way off. If one had to compare him to a non black rapper it should be a group, The Beastie Boys. He’s like the little brother who just wants to get put on. He gave so much energy that his shirt was soaked with sweat and water breaks were his relief as the crowd cheered him on. He had full control of his entire set.
Asher allowed his drummer and DJ to show their skills with solos, and he gave the crowd what they wanted — a show. To compare him to a character in college, I would call him the white guy who was up for the challenge to dance with the black chicks at the party. The one who had the basic rhythm, just enough to keep from getting cracked on. He’s slowly making his name relevant to the dominate black music genre with smart lyrics, bold lines like “I like boobies like you like nuts, Lets get together and make them touch.” His performance is a mix of comedy and Animal House all on one stage. Bun B, one of the elder statesman of the Southern Hip Hop game, was visibly feeling him. He had the groupies backstage jumping and he allowed his female fans to dance on stage as they snapped photos to brag on Facebook. Smart marketing.
So what about the nappy headed hoes twitter comment? Who cares? He apologized. Black girls were on that stage and filled HOB, and they loved him — end of story. As he exits, he gives the crowd some well taken advice, “Stay outta trouble, smoke weed everyday.”

The superstar genius we know as Kid Cudi started at 10:40 p.m. The crowd chants his name Cuuddi, Cuuddi, Cuuddi, Cuuddi. The stage goes black. All dramatic and shit to the fullest. And there he was, the man of the hour, alone, in his rock start stance, silohoutte in full glow from all the flashy lights. The fans are really hype now. As the drama builds, the energy of the House of Blues was electric.

He went through a list of songs. It was an odd performance because his lyrics are thought provoking and it was hard to fully get into it. With the drama of the show, he couldn’t give the excitement the crowd was exposed to previously. His performance was just him, no hype man, no background singer, drummers –just his DJ, and even that dude was in the dark. Fuck it, we were all in the dark. Other than the lights you could barely see or understand what was going on. We knew we were supposed to feel excited, this Kanye protégé has been the most talked about artist next to Drake, and he seems to be more respected, but damn, give us a little more crowd artist participation.

He was saved by “Poker Face,” a final escape from all the melancholy. Act like you wanna be here Damn it! So there were some interesting moments, he did an acapella sting. His voice was soothing and clear, the first time I could here him clearly. Because of his mysteriousness, women will swoon as long as he doesn’t get all Lady Ga Ga on us.

Lord please save him from being a Diva.

Finally, he performs “Day N’ Night,” his last song. That’s what everyone waited for but due to the lack of energy from the crowd, concert goers made a pre-exit to their cars. It was late and folks were ready to either party or go home.

Photo Cred: Travis Bankett, tbankett.webs.com

© 2009, Eddie Nicole. All rights reserved by Sub Urban Media Group.