Last night might just have been my favorite show. Ok, well maybe not the whole show was my favorite (as the opener to the opener was actually horrendous and because there was just so much empty time leading up to Jay) but Jay Electronica is definitely in the upper echelon of performers that I have seen.
Starting off the night, there was this rap duo that took the stage… they weren’t good… at all. I hate to be mean like that, but its the honest truth. I don’t remember anything they did or said other than having a song where they just kept on saying Bill Murray… It was like Groundhog Day…
At that point, i met up with Rich from Space Pack and we just chilled and i finally got to meet one of “the others” who are fully entrenched in the warfare that is the music industry. Check back later today or tomorrow for some pictures from him and videos from me.
Next up was Rich Kid, who did a great job with his couple of tracks and later on in the night, Jay Electronica dropped some knowledge in our faces about how we gotta watch out for him on Act 2.
THEN, the man who I’m a major fan of (and after that show, an even bigger one) came on stage and we basically learned while rebelling and going nuts to and with him during his songs. Having been in South Africa working on Act 2 only yesterday, Jay was in my city, Toronto crushing his show, making me a true believer of hip-hop during a sort of lecture that he gave to the “feminists out there” who will pick apart a two minute bit from a show when the other 58 minutes are political and progressive, vying for change. He brought the crowd up on stage, only to defend them and try to push the security guard “Mike” away when he tried to boot the 40 or 50 people off stage.
That there is someone who appreciates their fans, even demonstrating this more so than before, Jay Electronica (Timothy Elpadaro Thedford) jumped off stage and performed three songs right beside me, in the middle of the crowd. Throwing a bunch of accapella versions of his tracks, cutting his dj out halfway through a verse only to say “I like this shit better without the music,” I got the sense that Jay really enjoys music, the performing aspect but also the message he tries to send in each and every song. I must say, when Eternal Sunshine dropped, my jaw did, my eyes popped and my finger hit record on my phone.
Actually one of the best songs of my generation I would definitely say… check below for it and jump to about 6:40 to catch where the lyrics come in, but its worth listening to the whole intro in order to get the proper feel for it. Shiny Suit Theory was a great performance as well, and really, tonight was a true testament to the true power and brilliance that J Dilla had, and its a crying shame that he left us well before his time.
Jay Electronica – Eternal Sunshine (The Pledge)
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Jay Electronica – So What You Sayin’ (Produced By J Dilla)
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BONUS TRACK!!!
Jay Electronica – Exhibit A (Transformations)
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5 Comments
I was there as well.. I agree.. the best concert ever.
FUCK MIKE!
i was there too…and you hit it right on the nail…i said the same thing las night…jay truly appreciates his fans and music and you can tell he feels absolutely blessed to be in the position he is in now. it was the best show ive ever seen! he is what hiphop has been missing for a long time now…cant wait for act II!
GREAT CROWD INVOLVEMENT AND HE MADE EVERYONE FEEL LIKE THEY ARE PART OF HIS MOVEMENT.
IT WAS COOL TO SEE HIM AT A SMALL VENUE AND UP CLOSE LIKE THAT, BECAUSE ONCE HE FINALLY DROPS THAT ALBUM.. IM NOT SURE IF WE WILL BE ABLE TO HAVE SUCH AN UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL EXPERIENCE LIKE THAT AGAIN.. I HOPE SO THOUGH!!
PEACE TO EVERYONE INVOLVED AND I HOPE JAY WILL RETURN MANY TIMES AGAIN
couldn’t have summed it up better
wonderful concert……..Toronto Security Guard i love it!