Slick Rick / Morningwood / Hollertronix DJ's - New York Knitting Factory - 23/1/04
4/5
By: Joshua K
When rap godfather Slick Rick announced his return to the live arena at small but influential NYC hotspot The Knitting Factory after a forced ten-year hiatus (listen up, kids: armed robbery is whack!), rockfeedback had to be down front. And, friends, forget Dizzee Rascal's US debut a week later. This was the rap event of early '04, the club packed to suffocation a good three hours before Rick took the stage.
Despite a too-short set, clocking in at only 40 minutes, the Slickster didn't disappoint, dropping the classics everyone turned out to hear in fine if slightly hoarse voice. 'La-di-da-di' had the room singing along joyously to every word. 'The Show', meanwhile, inspired hands waved in the air like, er, I forget - a musical timewarp back to Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo and the first time Adidas tracksuits were the height of cool.
For Rick, though, this was more than just a musical outing. It was chance to reclaim his status as rap's original bling-bling dandy, who was rocking the Cotton Club look when OutKast's Andre 3000 was still in (pink feather) diapers. He succeeded on this count as well, resplendently clad in cream fedora, yellow suit, rhinestone eye-patch, and several gold teeth. Furthermore, in case this get-up wasn't enough, he brought out his 'baby's momma' for a midset addition of several ridiculously-sized gold chains.
Respect.
Opening the show was the curious choice of up-and-coming New York rock act Morningwood, but they quickly emerged victorious over the homeboy and hipster crowd. All it took was twenty-two year old singer Chantal Claret gazing wild-eyed out over the room, lasciviously gyrating her hips and belting like Janis Joplin from behind a wild mop of hair as her band turned us on with a raunchy musical attack best described as AC/DC meets Prince. Over 30 sticky, sweaty minutes, we rocked, we rolled, and several audience members invaded the stage to spontaneously strip to anthem in waiting 'Take Off Your Clothes'.
Between-band entertainment was provided by Hollertronix DJs - and you'd do yourself a favor to check out one of their showcases and track down their 'Never Scared' mix LP immediately; in a similar spirit to Andy Votel's 'Music To Watch Girls Cry' comp, Hollertronix mash up disco, obscure '70s soul, '80s new wave and modern rap into one funky and utterly original mélange. It's hot shit, and you won't be disappointed.
Explosive. We'd defy you to find a more eclectic night any time, any place, ever.
Your Feedback
Login to post your comment