Hip-Hop was seen at its purest form this past weekend. In a quaint, dimmed-lit room at New York’s Knitting Factory (1/5) a small crowd gathered to enjoy the lyrical prowess of Brooklyn bred Lil’ Dap from Group Home, Ruste Juxx repping the Boot Camp Click, and Queensbridge’s own Big Noyd and Infamous Mobb.
Ruste Juxx opened up. Juxx performed some of his more notable songs like “Vic Flair.” The crowd joined in the chorus yelling out, “Woooh,” as Juxx laced the track with clever lyrics such as, “I got a mack that spits like Supa Fly / Pimp, pimp, pimp, pimp / Lift your ass supa high.”
Next on deck was Lil’ Dap of Group Home. Dap at first was recognizable, but sadly enough, not celebrated until he went on to perform the familiar song “Livin Proof” from Group Home’s 1995 release of the same name. Much to the audience’s surprise, only one-third of the Infamous Mobb were present. Godfather Part III held it down for the Mobb even though his comrades Ty Nitty and Twin Gambino pulled a no-show for reasons unknown.
Last up, but surely not least, was Big Noyd. Noyd began his set with his signature acapella “Just Step (Prelude)” from The Infamous: “Sometimes I wish I had three different faces/I’m going to court for three cases / In three places/ One in Queens, Manhattan, one in Brooklyn / The way things is lookin’ / I’ma see central bookings.” He also expressed his thoughts on the current stage of the game. “It may not be the same way from where we came from, it changed in order. A lot of people don’t respect it because you got a lot dance rap right now. I don’t knock it though. Let them n****s eat or whatever they want to do. I’m real sure about myself that I’m making real Hip-Hop.” Noyd went on to perform tracks from his past like “Q.U.E.E.N.S” and “Air it Out” as well as newer tracks from his upcoming album Illustrious.
Even though some of the performers on the bill were notably missing, the entire event was full of skillful performances. The audience was served with a dish full of head-bopping beats and real lyricism; which is rare these days. It was definitely a true Hip-Hop show for true Hip-Hop heads.