Luggage, Black Liquid, BCMusic1st, Swerve 36
Tuesday, August 30 at Strange Matter
Last night, Strange Matter hosted a night of excellent local hip-hop that you likely missed. It was Tuesday so if you’re anything like me, you probably had better things to do. I almost missed it, so I understand why you didn’t make it. Seriously though, if you chose to opt out of witnessing this awesome display of homegrown, concert-quality lyricism because you didn’t want to be late for your Intro To College class, or because you couldn’t manage to peel your pasty ass off your Xbox, then you definitely denied yourself the privilege of catching three headline acts on one stage.
Luggage, Black Liquid, BCMusic1st, Swerve 36
Tuesday, August 30 at Strange Matter
Last night, Strange Matter hosted a night of excellent local hip-hop that you likely missed. It was Tuesday so if you’re anything like me, you probably had better things to do. I almost missed it, so I understand why you didn’t make it. Seriously though, if you chose to opt out of witnessing this awesome display of homegrown, concert-quality lyricism because you didn’t want to be late for your Intro To College class, or because you couldn’t manage to peel your pasty ass off your Xbox, then you definitely denied yourself the privilege of catching three headline acts on one stage.
Swerve 36 hosted the event. As always, he brought the unmatched enthusiasm that has been a landmark in the local rap scene since I could remember. The numbers where short of 1/8th capacity but it was evident from the moment that BCMusic1st took the stage that he was repping for The New Juice Crew like five thousand people had stuffed their fat sweaty asses into Strange Matter fjust to see him perform. Backed up by Black Liquid, he kicked it off right with a familiar instrumental from The Honorable Sleaze, which set the tone for things to come.
Black Liquid followed up with the high octane set expected from the undisputed hardest-working man in Richmond Hip Hop. Two things: why don’t more people know the words to his highly infectious anthems? And why aren’t more live sound techs prepared for performers like Black? Artists like him should be more proactive in their approach to performance arts. The way you sound on stage is like the left footprint of the tracks you leave behind in this city. Come early, and come with instructions. The sound tech last night should have been boosting Black’s vocals as his set progressed to accommodate the gradual decibel decline in vocals that come with a vicious stage attack like Black’s. He topped off his set with “Richmond,” one of my top ten favorite hip-hop tunes of all time. Black definitely turned the energy level up a notch in preparation for Luggage to take the stage. (Black Liquid will be performing @ The Camel Sept. 10th for the RVA Music Fest)
After last night, it’s easy to see why Luggage are scheduled to perform on the Stage Two of the RVA Music Fest on Sun. Sept. 11. I’ve known Luggage since Ben FM and Oxen Johnson were a part of Speak Easy. We’ve had our moments, good and bad, but MCs recognize skill. I’ve always been impressed with the cerebral sound and good time innovation Luggage brings to the table. But DAMN, over the past ten years, they have progressed to an unexpected level of professionalism, which I hope will continue to raise the bar for how local hip-hop should carry itself. I guess it’s easy to become the blueprint for master craftsmen when your name’s blessed more handbills than any other hip-hop act inside these city limits. On stage Luggage has it all; banging beats, catchy tunes, crowd interaction, lighthearted humor, catchy slogans and more. If you like hip-hop, Luggage is a must-see.
I’m sad to say I missed the slide show presentation about the effects of crack cocaine that ended the show. I heard it was lovely, but unfortunately it was way past my bedtime and I had to leave. Enough with the fluff, though. All three acts alone were worthy of the $5 cover charge. The turnout was impressive for a Tuesday night but based on the level of talent expressed last night, more people should have been there.
