Posts tagged hip-hop singh

Disorganised. That one word pretty much defined the night at Oceana.

Even though the doors had opened at 10pm, and people were being allowed in, the main room was still being set up until nearly 12.30am, and there was no real music being played for the duration either. So by the time people were FINALLY allowed in, a party mood was the last thing on their minds.

It’s times like these where real DJ’s earn their cash, and on that night DJ Fricktion did exactly that. Having already heard him perform in numerous venues previously, I knew what to expect once we got in the main room at 12.30, he again delivered. He cut up numerous crowd-pleasing tracks and beats, ensuring the party got started. Fricktion was able to show a diverse choice of music, ranging from rnb, to bhangra, garage, bashment and, of course, hip hop. I have to admit I did get a buzz from hearing him drop Big L “Ebonics” as well.

At 2.30 am Busta’s tour DJ, DJ Scratch came out and delivered a Westwood like set to get the crowd amped for the main man himself. On walked Spliff Star and Busta and immediately the show started. The on stage chemistry and timing between Busta and Spliff was something that had been truly well versed and formed over countless shows. They moved in sync with each other and Spliff did exactly what a hype man should do, blend in the performance of the main star with mic work that was perfectly flawless.

The same could not be said for the microphone levels for the first few songs, a problem that was highlighted most when Busta and Spliff performed over the Ying Yang Twinz beat “whisper song”. Hearing these issues, like a true professional, he addressed and corrected this, ensuring it was a blight no longer.

Busta’s energy was high all night, and to ensure the crowd stayed up there with him, he regularly sprayed the crowd with bottled water, soaking the first few rows and creating a water fight onstage. Indeed, it was actually quite a sight to see bouncers running around on stage, trying to soak all the excess water with towels! Health and Safety would have had a field day.

The track listing performed by Busta greatly underlined how long he’d been doing this hip hop thing, with a full discography of all the big songs he’d had over the years, starting well back with “Woo-Hah! Got You In Check” and “Scenario (rmx)”; each one was well received by a crowd of true fans, not a bunch of people who had first heard the guy with the Pussycat Dolls.

Ensuring the crowd felt involved, he regularly conversed with them, slipping in patois and using plenty of “Blud Clots” and “rude bwoys”. The crowd loved every minute of it. When the topic of plugging his latest album came up, Bussa-buss did turn slightly preachy, but still spreading a positive message nonetheless.

The crowd tired, not due to the lack of effort on stage, but rather with how late it was getting. Busta started delivering more showmanship, clearly spitting more tongue-twisting verses at rapid-fire speed. Hearing him perform “Break Your Neck” at double speed was something to behold, but his delivery of “Turn it Up” was a definite highlight, performing at times acapella, and other times rowdy and raucous. Ending with true style he kept the crowd going with “Touch It” and “Pass the Courvoisier.” Yes, there was a bottle of Courvoisier on stage, but Busta wasn’t really going to be passing it!

The true shame of the night was the lack of ticket sales.  In a venue that could hold about 600-700; only 300 were present. Finally, ending the night at 4am, the people left with a smile on their face… a weary smile, but a smile all the same.

Posted by Hip-Hop Singh