Hip Hop ChicZ: The Value Menu Tour-Phoenix, Arizona

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

The Value Menu Tour-Phoenix, Arizona

Photo by Janina Chives

Sometimes the best music can be found in the “not so glamorous” of locations. This is where we found the Value Menu Tour on January 29, 2011. The acts on the tour included Tanya Morgan, Freddie Gibbs and Rapper Big Pooh. This show also included local acts Don Smack and RoQ’y/TyRaiD.

First...the crowd was composed of your usual sausage fest found at these hip hop concerts. Of course we’re used to that. However, you know it’s going to be a good show when you see Jose, Phoenix’s local hip hop head, greeting you at the door. There were a handful of women so we weren’t completely alone. In the front row, however, we were surrounded by the usual slew of male groupies (drunk ones included). Now to the best part of the night...the music.

Don Smack opened the show with a live band and FEMALE DJ. His guitarist was killing every song enabling Don to fuse hard rock with hip hop and a local twist. He had quite the fan base in the audience.

Next up..RoQ’y/TyRaiD. He served as the Chasers “hype man,” getting the crowd involved and up out of their seats, towards the stage. A special treat was when he brought a very talented songstress, Lauren Winston, to the stage.

Tanya Morgan (Donwill & VonPea) was up next and set it off! When they first came out, we couldn’t help but notice the fresh kicks that were on their feet. Donwill rocked a particularly fresh pair of Nikes in royal blue (our favorite color). We were too hype to keep track of how long and how many songs they actually performed. They definitely got the crowd involved with their song “Bang & Boogie.” Since we love sneaks so much, one of the tracks that we felt the most was “New Pair” off of Von Pea’s album Pea’s Gotta Have It. Despite missing their DJ, the fellas were able to put on a dynamic show. They kept the crowd rocking their entire set. For those who didn’t know who Tanya Morgan was before the show, they left a believer.

Photo by Janina Chives

Rapper Big Pooh came to the stage and was joined by Chaundon. Immediately the women flocked to the stage. The Chaser crowd was very familiar with the emcee from North Carolina. To our satisfaction he performed several songs from his album Sleepers. As he urged the crowd to throw two fingers in the sky for the two who couldn’t be there that night, he performed a few Little Brother tracks, much to our pleasant surprise. Rocking some black Chucks with a Dearly Departed shirt and matching fitted, he performed one of Photo Chic’s favorite songs, “Good Clothes” off of Little Brother’s Getback. Tanya Morgan also joined him on stage as he took us back to The Minstrel Show performing “Lovin’ It.” Chaundon also performed a few of his own songs off of his No Excuses album, with an unexplainable intensity. He was definitely a problem (in a good way). Rapper Big Pooh ended his set with a single off of his new album Dirty Pretty Things, which is set to be released later this year.

The final act was Freddie Gibbs. We only stayed for his first two tracks due to the outlandish males groupies behind us that felt the need to blow smoke in his face and ours, scream and gleek on us, and constantly hit the back of our heads to try and get some dap. As we moved to the back of the room, we realized that the floor was composed of 99.8% of males. So unfortunately, we cannot comment on his set since we really couldn't pay much attention to it. However, we can say that the crowd in front of him was extremely enthused and appreciative of his music. Gangster rap just isn’t our thing, but shout out to Freddie Gibbs for representing.

Fans had the opportunity to purchase merchandise from the artists themselves as they hung out in the back of the crowd. Tanya Morgan, Rapper Big Pooh and Chaundon were humble and personable as they chopped it up with fans after the show.

Overall, the show was worth wayyyyyy more than the price we paid for the tickets. Nothing beats listening to some of your favorite artists in an intimate club setting.

Here are some pictures from the show taken by Photo Chic. All of these photos are property of Hip Hop ChicZ and Blue Cheeze Photography and require permission to use. Thank you and enjoy!