RZA - House of Blues - 25/10/12

The board outside the House of Blues on Sunset Blvd

Officially my first experience of a live hip-hop show and also my debut at the legendary House of Blues on the Sunset strip. I've not had too much exposure to hip-hop over the years as it's just not been on my radar. People have tried to introduce me to certain acts over time and i've just never really "got it". There have been exceptions. I'm have massive love for Jurassic 5 before they split. So when my good friend Sareth Ney got some free passes for the RZA gig that brought to a close The Iron Fists Tour, I snapped them up and joined him for my first taste of hip-hop. 

As this was a special tour for RZA there was a whole bunch of support acts, all of which had their own styles and they switched out so fast I couldn't catch who they were. I'll talk about the guys who really caught my eye though.

First off, a scruffy looking guy with a huge mop of hair, shorts and socks upto his knees came out with only a DJ as backup. EYENINE blew me away with his speedy rhymes and clever quips. He clearly loves words and the way he can twist them to suit his needs. I specifically remember enjoying his tune called Photoshoplifting. You can check his album The Insomnia Sessions out on Spotify.

Now to the guy who stole the show for me. I've don't think i've ever seen anyone so enthralling on a stage. The man's name...Supernatural. He's a freestyle artist and clearly one of the best around. I was speaking, during the break before he came out, to a local hip-hop fan, who told me that Supernatural is one of the best and consistent guys on the circuit. He certainly didn't disappoint. He was absolutely incredible. He did a section during his set were he asked people in the audience to hold up items and he would rap about them. I don't think my mouth closed for one second after he started. He also did a section were he transformed from himself to various rappers, including Dre, Snoop and Biggie Smalls. Once again he had the audience, and myself in the palm of his hands. The crowd adored him. I'd have happily watched him all night but he had to hand over to the main act, RZA.
RZA introduced some of the cast of the movie before starting his set. It quickly became a party atmosphere in the House of Blues as RZA passed bottles of Hennessy, Grey Goose and Champagne around. He performed songs from the Wu-Tang catalogue as well as his own tunes. I have to admit i'm not the biggest fan of his vocal sound. It's very coarse but that didn't stop me enjoying the show as he whipped the crowd into a frenzy which didn't stop until almost 2am. 

A thoroughly enjoyable first taste of both the venue and hip-hop as an artform. I will be sure to pay more attention to it in future.

RZA on stage at the House of Blues

My goodies from the gig. Special guest wristband, ticket & sampler CD