As the Impossebulls finished out their set and began tearing down, I turned around to assess the crowd situation, yep fashionably late crowd - slowly but surely the Madison Theater was hitting SRO, which is a misnomer in a place with no seats, but you get what I mean.
X-Clan came on and immediately assaulted the crowd with their politically charged lyrics, attacking everything from the state of Black Nationalism, education in America and the current administration. For just over an hour, the three, lead by Grand Verbalizer Funkin' Lesson Brother J highlighted tracks from the group’s 1990 incarnation as well as heavy play of material from their recently released Return From Mecca. Brother J was in rare form hitting not one, but two acoustic breaks downs, eliciting monster applause from the crowd. With their trademark arms in the air, crossed to form an X, the crew finished their set, clearing the path for the headliner.
Someone forgot to tell Chuck D and Flavor Flav that this is 2007, not 1987 as P.E. burst onto the stage jumping around like they we’re in their twenties. Exploding from the turn tables of DJ Lord was the familiar sounds of “Welcome to the Terrordome”. Chuck D, wrapped up in his Adidas warm-up suit, his signature baritone booming from the speakers struck the menacing pose that must have terrified so many when the band first came on the scene, lord knows that for many people, there isn’t much scarier then an intelligent black man.
While we’re on this train of thought, I feel the need to say something. I’ve been a fan of P.E. for a very long time, mostly because of Chuck D. I’m about tired of hearing how important a hip-hop band Public Enemy is. Saying Public Enemy is one of the most important hip-hop bands ever is akin to saying Chuck D is one of the smartest black men out there. To put qualifiers on either trivializes their relevance and significance. Public Enemy is one of the most important bands out there, no qualifiers, no limiters, period. Chuck is one of the smartest men out there, no qualifiers, no limiters, period.
Article comments
1 - Patrick Cossel
The photos are incredible! Sounds like this show was just as incredible. Awsome man glad you liked it!!!
2 - coolbacca
I thought the Impossebulls were dope. That "hyper-kinetic" intensity is what makes their show as ill as it is.
What do you suggest that PE do when they come out? Should they use walkers and canes or should they come out like the crowd expects them to? I guess you haven't seen enough live hip hop to know what's really real. Oh, and that scary intellegent black man crap...wtf?
3 - Benjamin Cossel
Hey rock on man, you dug the Impossebulls, good for you. Like I said, I gave 'em the benefit of the doubt and will check them out again.
WTF? You telling me that to too many narrow minded, back assward folks running around this country an intelligent, well-spoken Black man isn't something that just makes them shake in their boots? Damn KKK been running around for as long as I can remember talking about how dumb the black man is, must give them fits to have someone up the their like Chuck whose about as sharp a man as they come. So wtf you wtf-ing?