Words and Flicks by Sade Joseph

It was a female dominated night as Shyvonne, Jasmine Solano, Zoe Kravtiz and J Davey rocked the mic on Tuesday, June 21st at Prospect Heights’ underground music venue, Southpaw. Solano’s opening words herself commented on the evening’s all star line-up, in which she shot out the talented “fly Bohemian chic rap city bitches” that would be taking over the stage that night. Her words proved true as the talented urbanistas blew the audience away with their powerful rhymes, lyrics and DJ sets. Shyvonne, the lesser-known act still delivered as her sass, bright turquoise hair, and back up dancers kept the crowd on their feet. Solano was up next, stepping from behind the DJ booth to spit her old school hip-hop styled songs. The Brooklyn-based rapper is more commonly known for her DJ work at parties throughout NYC, and has gained a large following in the process. The crowd responded with resounding enthusiasm to Solano’s stage presence and performance, excited to see her take command of the stage.

Elevator Flight followed, whose wings were guided by the petite and vintage clad, Kravitz on vocals and tambourine. With her bottle of Jim Bean close at her feet, Kravtiz sang with deep emotion and rock soul. The set was lively as the band rocked out; dancing and jiving on stage, Kravtiz eventually kicking off her shoes and going barefoot, and guitarist Dominic Angelella jumping into the audience for a solo. This was the first time the band had played together in over a year, and the crowd couldn’t get enough of them. Father, Lenny Kravitz, proudly watched the performance from the back of the room in VIP, along with Drake, who has long been a fan and admirer of Zoe.

After much anticipation, and a treat from special guest Greg Nice, the headlining band J Davey finally graced the room, and it was their performance that shook the house. The duo, accompanied by Def Sound, worked it – with Jack Davey (Briana Cartwright) on vocals and Brook D’Leau providing the beats behind the DJ booth and on drums. Most memorable was the band’s rendition of Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” and it was their spirit and energy in Southpaw that evening that had everyone wanting more.

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Words Chike Ohayia Edits Lucas Alvarado Farrar

On June 17th Kendrick Lamar took South Paw by force headlining his first show in New York City and building hype for the release his first album, Section 80. He hit Brooklyn with his Black Hippie teammate Ab-Soul as part of his national tour, giving New York the honor of the hosting him on his 24th birthday.

DJ’d by Meka of 2DopeBoyz the show jumped off to a slow series of opening acts. With Jah C & The Antidote giving the crowd more of an afro punk, garage band mash up than a hip hop set, hype man Kid Potential was called into action to raise the energy. Pulling a goon named Marvin on to the stage for a wild rendition of Bump N Grind, Potential got the crowd back in it.

Meanwhile, Nitty Scott MC prepped backstage for what would prove to be the best opening act. The crowd showed familiarity with her that was not seen again until Kendrick came out. As one of the few females brave enough to grab the mic, Nitty Scott showed that she has more than good looks to show for her sets. Be sure to check out some of her tracks from her mixtape The Cassette Chronicles.

Sean Price made a guest appearance during Apollo the Great’s set, the last hype moment of the openers.

As soon as Kendrick came out to ‘The Heart pt. 2’, the opening track off his mixtape Overly Dedicated, the crowd erupted. Everyone was live, hands waving, cameras flashing and SouthPaw surged with energy. The stage burned at over 100 degrees as the summer heat mixed with the Brooklyn hype, but Kendrick stayed buried in his red Adidas hoodie through five tracks.

After getting the crowd to throw their Hiii Power fingers in the air, Kendrick took a break to do a little acting. He told stories about how his parents pushed him in school, threw the livest parties out of their home and exposed him to a great depth of music and culture.

Rapping less about drugs and gangs and more about the social realities of the New West, Kendrick is helping to define 21st century hip hop as greater than Youtube sensations. Songs like H.O.C., which he performed while Ab-Soul blew smoke in his face, show Kendrick’s will power in the face of pressure. His music constantly reinforces his self-confidence and thirst for growth, while reminding his listeners that dreams evolve. When crowd requested Cut You Off blasted from the stage that sentiment of progression rung out.

As the show closed, Kendrick played a few cuts off his new album. Rather than performing the tracks he mimed them as they played in the background. There was a good mix of hype songs and slow sensual tunes. Get ready for Section 80 to drop on July 2.

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Photography by Far Fetched Future

01. #jetsgo*
02. Still featuring Trademark and Young Roddy
03. She Don’t Want A Man
04. One Life
05. You See It
06. Televised featuring Fiend (International Jones)
07. This Is The Life
08. On G’s featuring Young Roddy and Trademark
09. Money Machine
10. What’s What

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Check the visuals below:

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Earlier this week, XXL magazine debuted its 2011 “Freshman Class” issue featuring a bunch of dudes–some of whom I’ve never seen or even heard of it. It’s kinda crazy how I had to dissect the cover by using Google to figure out  who majority of the guys were, aside from Yelawolf, Diggy, Lil Twist and Cyhi The Prince. To be honest, the cover is straight up garbage! And I honestly don’t know why half of these guys even made the cover, like Mr. “Toot it & Boot it” aka YG. Is this really the future of Hip-hop? ‘Cause if it is, then we’re in serious trouble! Anywhoo, let me get to the real topic at hand–where are the female rappers? This is the fourth year XXL has left out the femcees. Over 3 million people live in the United States, and you mean to tell me there aren’t any dope female rappers out there?

Nicki Minaj is doing her thing right now, so why is it that female rappers are still being treated like they’re outcasts?

What’s your take on this lackluster cover?