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The State of Texas Hip-Hop 6.16.06 - notes
The show stuttered before it started, and for a moment, I was a little nervous about the state of Texas hip-hop. These showcase gigs are like a hip-hop family reunion with hugs, pounds and good spirits all around and when a technical glitch hangs the whole thing up for an awkward spell (are there always sound issues at Antone’s?) you start really hurting for the home team.
But Blakes is a pro. Blaming the troubles on his oversight for not honoring the recently departed Clifford Antone (“He’s probably still sitting over there, so y’all wave at him, let him know you feel him so the rest of the show can go off.”), he led the crowd in a moment of respect before launching into his set with a fierceness.
The capstone of the performance was a fiery rendition of “Southern Man.” A new joint off Blakes’ Spring sampler, “Southern Man” just might be the most Austin-esque hip-hop joint of all time. Built around a Neil Young hook, it’s a jam that’s simultaneously straight up Dirty South while remaining entirely appropriate for the KGSR/ACL crowd. When you think about it that’s a serious accomplishment. Better yet, you can download the full-length track for free on Blakes’ myspace page.
And those What It Dew Family dudes can sing. No, really. Chalie Boy? Mad pipes.
I try not to use superlatives when I talk about Austin hip-hop, because there are a whole host of serious talents who I love for different reasons. But if I was cornered into a “best emcee in Austin” conversation, I’d have to let you know that DOS is the underdog contender, the dark horse in the running, who might just take off with the title. His latest release, the Spring 2006 Mill Tiket “#1 Spot” mixtape (which also features Portland transplant Uncle Suel) is loaded with club bangers and rugged raw rhymes.
Is 2006 going to be some kind of freaky summer of fusion where hip-hop drenches itself with Southern Soul and then rocks it with a backbeat that creeps in you so deep that you can’t help but feel it? While the Cee-Lo fronted Gnarls Barkley is dominating the summer tour circuit, Dallas’ PPT rocked Antone’s so hard last Friday that I think they just became my favorite Texas act of the moment. I stepped out of the bathroom on a mission to remedy a mildly catastrophic kicked over drink situation and was forced instead to turn on heel and march directly to the front of the stage which was crowded with the scant offering of ladies in the house all holding down the edge. Swooning. Screaming. These cats have the kind of infectious energy that makes you want to sing along even if you have no clue about the words or no business trying to tackle a melody.
PPT consists of Pikahsso, Picnic and Tahiti, three well-established Dallas artists who started performing together for fun, just to amplify the crazy fresh vibe each of them can produce individually. PPT’s jam “We’re Rowdy, Loud and Proud” was recently chosen by fans as the official Dallas Mavericks 2006 playoff song. They ended their Antone’s set with a resounding “Go Mavs!” The crowd went nuts.
See all photos from the State of Texas Hip-Hop showcase.
Comments
By m o s
June 19, 2006 02:08 PM | Link to this
Very good recount, wish I could have been there but this is almost as good.
peace m o s
By Tony-C
June 19, 2006 11:00 PM | Link to this
Nice work. Keep doing what your doing.