Post by Xaimara on Jun 22, 2003 21:56:55 GMT -4
On Friday, June 20th, LL Cool J and Dru Hill brought their tour to The Beacon Theater in New York City. Despite the constant cry from the security outside, the show did not start on time, but it did start a heck of lot closer to on time than most Hip-Hop events.
After an unrecognizable opening act Dru Hill hit the stage. Though they started with "On Me," a song off their current album, they didn't disappoint their old school fans as they quickly followed it up with "Tell Me," "In My Bed," and "Beauty." The group really seemed to be at their best when Jazz was singing. Despite Sisqo having the tag as a the lead singer, it's actually Jazz's role. The group then did another song off their new album followed again by a handful of classics, "Never Make A Promise," "We're Not Making Love No More," and "These Are The Times." Having the occasional new song thrown into the mix of classics turned out to be a pretty good concept. It kept the people happy because they were hearing the songs they wanted to hear, and it kept the group happy because they got to hype their current album. Unfortunately, there was a slight drop-off when Sisqo took the stage on his own.
Determined to not let people forget he's also a solo artist, Sisqo, accompanied by two dancers, hit the stage to dance to some of the hotter beats of the past year. Everything from Eminem, to Justin Timberlake, to 50 Cent. Sisqo's dance moves are OK, but aren't on the level of Usher's. The comparison is going to be constant, too, because of the comments the two made about eachother. Comparing their live shows, however, as solo artists, really shows how ahead of d*** near everyone Usher is when it comes to live performance. It's not that Sisqo is bad, Usher is really THAT good. It's just too bad their war of words happened.
When it comes to Sisqo he finished up his solo performance by lip-synching over "Thong Song." The rest of Dru Hill returned to finish their set with songs from their new album closing with "I Should Be," all the while handing out more roses than an FTD florist. The only disappointments I had with Dru Hill's set was that they didn't use a live band, and they didn't sing "Five Steps," arguably their best song. Overall, though, fans of Dru Hill, new and old, will enjoy their live show.
LL Cool J
After a brief intermission LL Cool J hit the stage. After announcing how great it was to be back home in New York LL tore up the stage, proving the legend isn't showing any signs of tiring. He opened with an energy filled version of "Phenomenon" and followed it with so many old school classics this Hip-Hop head was in heaven. "Radio," "Boomin System," and "I'm Bad," were followed by battle classics "4, 3, 2, 1," and "I Shot Ya," with LL owning the stage the whole time. A few songs later (his verses from the "Flava in Ya Ear" remix and "Fatty Girl") LL would get into his ladies man mentality and perform "Jinglin Baby," the remix to Montell Jordan's "Get it on Tonight," "Around The Way Girl," "I Need Love," and "Hey Lover." After hittin everyone off with "Rock The Bells" it was time for "Doin It." This was when Mr. Smith made his only mistake of the night.
For "Doin It" he pulled up somewhere in the neighborhood of 30 girls onto the stage. While it's commonplace to pull a few girls on stage, normally those girls are plants, meaning they have been predetermined before the show. In this case they weren't, and they got out of hand. At one point one girl physically ripped LL's shirt off and a security guard had to step in. Once order was maintained again LL performed the "Loungin" remix, and "Mama Said Knock You Out," before going into a few new tracks. I was a little unhappy that he closed the show with "Love You Better," "Paradise," and "All I Have," but I understand that he wanted to please his younger fans. All in all it was a phenomenal show as the only songs I would have liked to have heard that he missed were "Big Ole Butt," Backseat of My Jeep," and "The Ripper Strikes Back," LL's vitriolic reply to Canibus.
During his live shows LL proves quite a few things. First off, he proves that one of the keys to longevity in music is live performance. An artist can have an album flop, but as long as they can perform live they'll get a chance to record again. Second, LL proved that when he gets back into his raw, "I'm Bad," mentality, he's phenomenal. The emotion he puts forth when doing those old school joints is tremendous. Last but not least, he proves age isn't really relevant as long as you're talented. LL is not a youngster anymore, but he puts on a better show then any of the young rappers of today.
If you hear LL is coming to a town near you, make it a point to go, because there is a certain point when music becomes religion and you realize Hip-Hop is yours. It becomes easy to see when you're sitting in a sold out crowd, reciting the lyrics to a song that came out ten to fifteen years ago, and you turn around only to see the person sitting next to you is doing the same exact thing.
Adam Bernard
.... USHER CAN'T DANCE! USHER COPIED SISQO'S MOVES! USHER IS A LOSER. KING OF LOSERS! This guy obviously can't tell that Sisqo is a better dancer than .. that guy... who's going out with Chilli. How Chilli wears the pants while that guy wears the skirt. We all know that Chilli can beat usher's pathetic ass ANYDAY OF THE WEEK!
After an unrecognizable opening act Dru Hill hit the stage. Though they started with "On Me," a song off their current album, they didn't disappoint their old school fans as they quickly followed it up with "Tell Me," "In My Bed," and "Beauty." The group really seemed to be at their best when Jazz was singing. Despite Sisqo having the tag as a the lead singer, it's actually Jazz's role. The group then did another song off their new album followed again by a handful of classics, "Never Make A Promise," "We're Not Making Love No More," and "These Are The Times." Having the occasional new song thrown into the mix of classics turned out to be a pretty good concept. It kept the people happy because they were hearing the songs they wanted to hear, and it kept the group happy because they got to hype their current album. Unfortunately, there was a slight drop-off when Sisqo took the stage on his own.
Determined to not let people forget he's also a solo artist, Sisqo, accompanied by two dancers, hit the stage to dance to some of the hotter beats of the past year. Everything from Eminem, to Justin Timberlake, to 50 Cent. Sisqo's dance moves are OK, but aren't on the level of Usher's. The comparison is going to be constant, too, because of the comments the two made about eachother. Comparing their live shows, however, as solo artists, really shows how ahead of d*** near everyone Usher is when it comes to live performance. It's not that Sisqo is bad, Usher is really THAT good. It's just too bad their war of words happened.
When it comes to Sisqo he finished up his solo performance by lip-synching over "Thong Song." The rest of Dru Hill returned to finish their set with songs from their new album closing with "I Should Be," all the while handing out more roses than an FTD florist. The only disappointments I had with Dru Hill's set was that they didn't use a live band, and they didn't sing "Five Steps," arguably their best song. Overall, though, fans of Dru Hill, new and old, will enjoy their live show.
LL Cool J
After a brief intermission LL Cool J hit the stage. After announcing how great it was to be back home in New York LL tore up the stage, proving the legend isn't showing any signs of tiring. He opened with an energy filled version of "Phenomenon" and followed it with so many old school classics this Hip-Hop head was in heaven. "Radio," "Boomin System," and "I'm Bad," were followed by battle classics "4, 3, 2, 1," and "I Shot Ya," with LL owning the stage the whole time. A few songs later (his verses from the "Flava in Ya Ear" remix and "Fatty Girl") LL would get into his ladies man mentality and perform "Jinglin Baby," the remix to Montell Jordan's "Get it on Tonight," "Around The Way Girl," "I Need Love," and "Hey Lover." After hittin everyone off with "Rock The Bells" it was time for "Doin It." This was when Mr. Smith made his only mistake of the night.
For "Doin It" he pulled up somewhere in the neighborhood of 30 girls onto the stage. While it's commonplace to pull a few girls on stage, normally those girls are plants, meaning they have been predetermined before the show. In this case they weren't, and they got out of hand. At one point one girl physically ripped LL's shirt off and a security guard had to step in. Once order was maintained again LL performed the "Loungin" remix, and "Mama Said Knock You Out," before going into a few new tracks. I was a little unhappy that he closed the show with "Love You Better," "Paradise," and "All I Have," but I understand that he wanted to please his younger fans. All in all it was a phenomenal show as the only songs I would have liked to have heard that he missed were "Big Ole Butt," Backseat of My Jeep," and "The Ripper Strikes Back," LL's vitriolic reply to Canibus.
During his live shows LL proves quite a few things. First off, he proves that one of the keys to longevity in music is live performance. An artist can have an album flop, but as long as they can perform live they'll get a chance to record again. Second, LL proved that when he gets back into his raw, "I'm Bad," mentality, he's phenomenal. The emotion he puts forth when doing those old school joints is tremendous. Last but not least, he proves age isn't really relevant as long as you're talented. LL is not a youngster anymore, but he puts on a better show then any of the young rappers of today.
If you hear LL is coming to a town near you, make it a point to go, because there is a certain point when music becomes religion and you realize Hip-Hop is yours. It becomes easy to see when you're sitting in a sold out crowd, reciting the lyrics to a song that came out ten to fifteen years ago, and you turn around only to see the person sitting next to you is doing the same exact thing.
Adam Bernard
Sisqo's dance moves are OK, but aren't on the level of Usher's.
.... USHER CAN'T DANCE! USHER COPIED SISQO'S MOVES! USHER IS A LOSER. KING OF LOSERS! This guy obviously can't tell that Sisqo is a better dancer than .. that guy... who's going out with Chilli. How Chilli wears the pants while that guy wears the skirt. We all know that Chilli can beat usher's pathetic ass ANYDAY OF THE WEEK!
I'ono, Sisqo juss has this unstoppable energy type of thingy when he dances! ;D
I saw him for the first time back in '96 and all I can say is wooooooooooooooooo...especially when he performed "Doin' It" with Shaunta (I think that's her name...I remember she did a song with Timbaland and a remix with Brandy back in the day)!!! Anyway, I could have been knocked over with a feather after watching that particular number! ;D 
