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<< Jack Spilberg: The Ill Advisor 10/15/2000 >>

Phife Dawg Bugs Out

I was stoked to hear that notorious Tribe Called Quest emcee, Phife Dawg was headlining a deal at The Troubadour, a cozy West Hollywood/Beverly Hills venue. The show went off, but unfortunately, due to poor promotion, the turnout for the former Tribe man was minimal.

DJ Shortcut, member of the illest turntablist coalition, The Invisible Scratch Picklez, got things rolling with a hot mix. After Shortcut tore it up, Bay area underground group, Zion-I began rocking the spot. I've been hearing a lot about these cats lately, and was anticipating a sick performance. Sure enough, Zion-I came correct with tight beats and intelligent rhymes.

As bouncers and roadies began prepping the stage for Phife, I couldn't help but notice the size of the crowd, tres petite. Only 30 or so Phife fans were on hand representing. Phife graced the stage and began working the tiny crowd with an ill mix of old school Tribe cuts. After a slamming blast of raw lyricism and familiar beats, Phife ordered his DJ to stop the tables and started buggin out. Phife went off about what a shitty job the promoters did getting the word out to fans about the show and all. Phife is one instigating muthersucker, he was straight tripping. After he had mad words to the promoters, Phife got rolling on a way too short set. Tribe fans in the house got a healthy dose of favorite jams dished out by the Dawg. Bonita Applebaum, Award Tour, Scenerio, and (my personal fav) Can I Kick It were a few hits rocking the house that night.

Mixed in with old was some of Phife Dawg's newest. Fresh solo cuts were up in the mix, all of which sounds tight! Phife took the opportunity to announce officially to LA the release of his solo e.p. will blow up at record shops this September and is entitled "Ventilation".

Most of us in the crowd were a little disappointed that Phife's set was so short, but it was still dope to check a true innovator and founding father of hip hop in his element. Props to Phife an old schooler still coming correct in the new ill-enium, proving there's life after Quest.

 

Written by Jack Spilberg