June 16th - Apache Cafe Hip Hop Jam Session III

...continued from II.

As is probably customary around these here Eastern and Southern parts, a big dude from the Caribbean took the stage. Please do not ask me what he was saying or why he was saying it. I do not know. I just kept thinking he was going to say something about his "champion sound" or "skiddly whoa -oh-oh." I believe he was more than a little drunk and/or high.

This next cat's name was either S.O.S or Secret Agent Orange. I wasn't quite clear on that. I'm also not sure why he was wearing a backpack, nor did I know what the backpack contained. I'm hoping that he was peddling CDs but who knows. These rap guys are an odd lot. Crazy, cool, artistic, tortured. What I was clear on was the fact that the guy had flows. Few and far between can just freestyle like that.

At the end, all of the various performers were invited back on stage to bust another on-the-spot flow. It was cool to compare and contrast all of the different styles. I couldn't help but think that this is where Hip-Hop really lives. Not on the radio with thoughtless rhymes and beats formulated to appeal to a mass audience, but instead in the minds and hearts of youth who are just trying so painstakingly to be heard. It's their way to say something beautiful or profound or funny or real. It's their way to reach out to an otherwise cold and unfriendly world and say "I'm here." I wish like hell that I could rap. I guess I do in a way.... except my rap comes in the form of electronic paragraphs bouncing across broadbands, flashing on screens and hopefully being read by you.

Go back to Apache Cafe Hip Hop Jam Session I here.

Go back to Apache Cafe Hip Hop Jam Session II here.

June 16th - Apache Cafe Hip Hop Jam Session II

.....continued from I.

Next, my man Orphan got on the mic and put it down. He had the crowd singing his hook "ANIMAL" as he finessed his way back and forth across the stage. I especially liked the way he was prepared to market himself. When I approached him about posting his video on my blog, he had his business card ready to go. Orphan is a member of The Tripod 3xperience. They even have a tagline: "Rugged, musical genius with a touch of class." Orphan, much love to you! Do your thing!

The next guy had me dying laughing. Before this guy took the stage or uttered a single syllable, My Sweetheart said he was the incarnation of Bizzy Bone. Sweetheart called it right. He looked and sounded every bit like Bone Thugs n Harmony. Homeboy came to put on a show. After he finished stating that he was a Gemini and brought a close to his song about freaky girls, he put the mic down on the stage and began doing some of the weakest poplocking I've ever seen. He then ripped his shirt off like something akin to Michael Jackson and proudly flexed for the audience. I just about fell on the floor crying. I'm glad I got it on video.

By this time, I was quite pleased that I'd come. We'd reached that point in the night where there is a sense of intimacy among the attendees and participants. Folks were feeling good about the show, the performers, the venue, and their cocktails. There was no negativity and certainly no disrespect toward anyone brave enough to get up on that stage and speak their minds. For some first-timers to the stage, the night proved to be a learning experience.

Continue to Apache Cafe Hip Hop Jam Session III here.

Go back to Apache Cafe Hip Hop Jam Session I here.

June 16th - Apache Cafe Hip Hop Jam Session I

Awww Man! People, last night was so packed full of activity that I'm going to have to break this particular venue up into three smaller bite-sized pieces. In all humility, I ask that you hang with me and give me some love by clicking through to II and III.

Riding out, listening to Mos Def's latest project, The Ecstatic , which we just happened to score at Moods Music, we decided to check out the Hip Hop Jam Session at a little spot in downtown Atlanta called Apache Cafe. (Go Apaches! Go, Go Apaches!) Downtown Atlanta, admittedly, is a little sketchy after dark as all downtown areas tend to be. I still can't get over the shock of seeing obvious prostitutes just decorating the corners of the street. Even more shocking is the fact that they are men dressed as women seeking compensation for whatever "gifts" they are offering. When the police roll by, they scatter like roaches. Crazy, absolutely crazy, but I digress.

We arrived at about midnight to a stage full of white t-shirted young men milling around, passing a blunt, chanting a chorus about their N-words. I didn't have high hopes for the rest of the night. I sighed, shook my head and sipped my signature vodka martini with extra olives. The bartendress, Lakisha, saw my disappointment and we held a conversation about the displaced animosity towards women amidst the ridiculous amount of affection for fellow men. This social phenomenon which tends to rear its ugly head in Hip-Hop over and over again always begs the question of sexuality in my mind. Kind of reminds me of of The Boondock's "Gangstalicious" episodes or that time in L.A. where I accidentally found myself in a bar filled with homosexual gangsters. I don't have a problem with any one's choice in a sexual partner, but don't hate on women just because men are your preference, okay?

After the N-words left the stage, I noticed that there were actual musicians on stage instead of just a DJ. That was a plus. The host for the evening began to invite people to showcase their talents on the open mic. A couple of different cats went up followed by a Lil Wayne wannabe who didn't do a bad job, plus the martini was kicking in. I found myself swaying to the impromptu beat and then I reminded myself that I should probably be capturing this stuff on video. I have no idea what this cat's name was but the video below speaks to his talent.

Go to Apache Cafe Hip Hop Jam Session II here.

Go to Apache Cafe Hip Hop Jam Session III here.