Talib performing “Hostile Gospel”
So last night I went up to the Park West to check out an MGD sponsored concert event (put on by Common Ground Marketing – Thanks Shareeff!) hosted by Phli’s Dave Jeff and radio-personality Leon Rogers. The featured artists? None other than Talib Kweli and Pharoahe Monch – both backed by a live band. Also, a “round table” style discussion was held prior to the show with Pharoahe and Talib discussing hip-hop, current events and much more.
Even though I’ve seen Talib like a hundred times, he never disappoints, and Pharoahe is obviously one of the best to touch a mic, so you’re always getting 110% from him. That is until Dave Jeff and Leon Rogers held a freestyle jam session at the end of the show where audience members were allowed to jump onstage and participate (everyone can rap and sing nowadays, huh) and when it was Pharoahe’s turn, either he wasn’t up to it, or the plug had been pulled on the whole operation – because he didn’t go “Acapulco”(see video). The world may never know why.
The audience also voted, via text message, to a secret MGD laboratory somewhere, on a question to ask Talib. The big winner was “Will Blackstar ever reunite for another album” and the answer from Talib was simply “Maybe”. Maybe? Maybe in Nevuary. Special thanks to those who voted via text message – enjoy the Miller spam for the rest of your life.
Sidenote: After the show, I ran into Pharoahe in the bathroom. I didn’t really want to shake his hand, you know? So I just kept it moving with a cheeseball smile. Awkward? Awkward!
Pharoahe Monch – “Free”
Talib Kweli – “Get By”
The infamous “Acapulco” pump-fake freestyle session.