02/19/08 - Drunk was the way of the walk. I started drinking back in Rhode Island (where this adventure started) just to calm my nerves. You would think having seen Akrobatik rock a show as many times as I have, that this event wouldn’t be as big a deal for me, but I have to say for some reason this show had me very excited. I have seen Akrobatik more times then I can count (or well at least remember), But if you factor in the new album, the new record label, the New York back drop and the team-up with Mr. Lif, Therapy and DJ JayCeeOh it adds up to a fanboy experience.

I don’t think I have bought an album on release day since I was a teenager, but there I was, outside of Newbury Comics at the Providence Place Mall, waiting for it to open. I may have been the first person in America to have purchased Absolute Value, Akrobatik’s new album on Fat Beat Records. I had my copy at 10:15 am and I have the receipt to prove it. Holla for proof.

Then it was back home to finish packing, charge the digital documentation devices, round up the business cards and stickers before picking up the wife from work. We turn every trip to New York into a movie production. With my co-pilot in her seat, the last order of business was a run by Subway for some “healthy” fast food before jumping onto 95 South for our 3 plus hour pilgrimage.

An hour into the trip, I cracked open the plastic on Akrobatik’s new CD and popped it in. I was greeted by the familiar track “A to the K”. Anyone who has been to Akro’s myspace page or seen him live recently has had the privilege of hearing this track. Its a fun song which does a very good job setting the pace of the album. This is an event review and not an album review, so I will just say, if you are an Akrobatik fan (which I am) you will be very happy with this album. Songs that stand out after my first listen thru are: “Put Your Stamp on It” with special guest Talib Kweli, “Be Prepared” featuring Little Brother, and “Absolute Value” produced by J-Zone. My personal favorite song on the album is “Step It Up“.

We got to the Hotel … well I guess it was more of a motel. It was The Motor Lodge in New Jersey right next to the Holland Tunnel entrance. I was pleasantly surprised, the room wasn’t actually the shit hole I thought it would be. We put away our luggage, got freshened up for the event, and started (continued for me) pre-gaming for the show.

When I got to the venue I was greeted at the door with a ALL ACCESS Press pass courtesy of Michelle McDevitt from Audible Treats. So now I am amped of the gamma. When I entered the Venue … I was blown away. This is how a hip hop shows should be. There were 8 turntables on stage. Ill Insanity were just finishing up their set. Ill Insanity consists of Total Eclipse, Rob Swift and Precision. Shit was crazy fresh. There were B-Girls everywhere. You know when the ever elusive B-Girl visits your event … that it is off the hook.

Me and the wife moseyed up to the Bar to re-up on liquid refreshments while J-Rock of the world famous Beat Junkies rocked and shocked the crowd. J-Zone was at the bar complaining how tired he was of being rich. I told him he needs to come back to Rhode Island to hang out, but he doesn’t think RI cares about him anymore. I think he is wrong.

Black Milk was up next. This emcee / producer hails from Detroit and also has an album out on Fat Beats Records. This was my first time seeing him live. I was impressed. He had good crowd interaction. He rocked joints off his albums “Popular Demand” and “Sound Of The City”. Looks like I will have to make another trip to the music store.

Therapy made his presence known. He demonstrated his turntable skills, while Lif and Ak did their little sound check from somewhere off stage. After Therapy got the crowd open, Mr. Lif came out and straight tore it down. Lif rocked like four or five solo joints until Akrobatik joined him on stage and the two of them put on the show of a lifetime. These guys together are like chocolate and peanut butter. “Where are the weapons of MASS destruction?” … Ummmm I think they are currently on stage. Therapy came from behind the tables and spit a verse, while DJ JayCeeOh took over DJ duties. Not only is Therapy one of my favorite performance DJ’s, he is also a sick emcee. This dude is a threat. Its been said before, but it bears repeating, Akro and Lif are some off the best LIVE performers you will ever see. Long story short, they killed it.

Freddy Fox came out and rocked it. He is a funny dude. Scary, but funny. He joked that people told him he wouldn’t be on stage at forty years old, and he was pleased to announce he was 41. He was also glad to see that their were white people in the audience. Dude was funny. He dropped several joints, but honestly I was too drunk by this time to focus on the show anymore. Dawn (my wife) had a tab going at the bar with her now maxed out credit card.

Big Ups to Poison Pen and Sean Price who were in the building. Shit was official. Looks like I will be check the show in Boston on Sunday. My liver be damned.

photos by dawnstar [at] basementflavor.com