BobbyBrandNew and E40: Live at the The Club House

Photo by Janina Chives-Blue Cheeze Photography

Saturday February 26, 2010 PhotoChic, NetworkChic and I attended the E-40 concert at the Club House, in Tempe, Arizona; set in motion by Sean Healy. Let me start off by saying this was a journey! Photo Chic and I were determined to see this show, a 6 hour drive (both ways) and our demanding jobs waiting for us in the morning were not a deterrent. But that’s neither here nor there.

At 8pm the doors opened; with a line building along the plaza.   The primary DJ for the night was DJ Marvel. It seemed as though he had an idea of what hip hop was. Throughout the night he compiled a playlist from:  6'7"(Lil Wayne) to Triumph (Wu tang).


The show started at 9pm with J Smooth (local talent) performing with 6 extra people on stage (not something I looked forward to.) With 7 people on stage there was no particular hype man. The act began, act being the key word, with J smooth and Casual freestyle. The “freestyle” proved itself as unnecessary and sounded rather written/rehearsed... Preparing the crowd for the lack of enticement that followed. This act reminded me of Rin Tin Tin (the hip-hop Dalmatians) from Brown Sugar. Their performance lasted for a total of 20 minutes.

At 9:30pm Hood Ent., another local “talent” performed. The stage presence grew 6 people! Now with a whopping 13 people on stage 3 of which who actually held mics....They performed 5 songs including a remix to one of their own songs... how do you have a remix without being known? One member performed his song without knowing the words, as well as lip singing. At least learn the words. Toward the end of the performance one member did his verse acapella, and the other 12 individuals on stage began to shout, urging him on. What I don’t understand is how you do your own "aye”? If your boys are hype and the crowd is not.... it doesn't count.   

At this time there were still four local talents, who all had 20minutes to perform. Two of which made my heart break at the lack of lyricism. Next up we had Murdatown Mafia at 10pm. This group was stuck in the late 90’s, who rocks the tall tee anymore honestly? There were two things that stuck with me throughout this performance; one member who was texting while on stage and the lyric "knick knack patty whack give a dog a bone." I realized that all nursery rhymes were authors attempts at being Emcees. 

Photo by Janina Chives-Blue Cheeze Photography

M.E. was late for his performance.  To my surprise his hype man was the same person texting in the Murdatown performance, he just put on a hoodie. Wardrobe change for hype man? That’s new...The lack of effort and lyricism reminded me of the Piggy Bank cd; disappointing… But the hype man did not disappoint, his stage presence was the same as his prior performance; steady answering the phone on stage he even left the stage to take a call.  My attention was caught when the set was over, and a member said "3 dollar for cd... na I take that back, whatever you got in ya pocket.” Have to appreciate performers not over estimating their worth. Shame.

A.C.E. began at 11pm. He incorporated a live Bass guitar and drum set. The lyrics made sense and incorporated meaning. But, the delivery needed work. A.C.E. has sufficient lyrical content but his stage presence was not strong enough.  You could be sufficient in lyricism but not everyone is meant to perform.

At 11:25pm BobbyBrandNew began to perform his 25 minute set. He opened with “Earth don’t know me yet.” I’ve seen him perform before, but tonight was different. Bobby had the live band and a strong stage presence which got the crowd live. Bobby’s stage presence is something crazy. The beginning of the performance was basic; all I saw was heads bobbin. By the middle I heard the crowd yelling and saw arms waving, but by the end of performance I saw people with B's in the air. Bobby’s presence is undeniably one of the strongest I’ve noticed in the Southwest. He knows how to get a crowd rowdy. "What's a man without a dream?" nothing, but Bobby has a dream and he's striving for it. He knows how to feel out the crowd. To prep the crowd for E40 he leaned toward a more Cali vibe. "Jeans on slim" was exactly what they needed. Appreciation and crowd respect is not something you see too often from opening acts, but Bobby made sure he thanked those who took the time to hear his art. He also shouted out the HHCz for the story Photo Chic posted.



E40 came on at 12:17 and performed for 36 minutes. He opened with "Yay area" which got the crowd too live! His set list consisted of his known works including: White girl. Dripping like water, 5 on it, you and that booty, Snap ya fingaz, Tell me when to go. The crowd’s enthusiasm drove E40's performance, but it could have been much stronger. No one got hyphy, or went dumb in the crowd, but what else can you expect in the Southwest?

All I have to say is the last two performances saved the night for me. BobbyBrandNew and E40 made it worth my lack of sleep, and irritable attitude at work the next day. Will I be driving out again? All I’m going to say is that Talib Kweli is performing there April 8^th, 2011….and I will be present.

-Social Chic