By Toma Lynn Smith
Popular rappers from the 80s and early 90s proved their music could still draw a huge crowd without resorting to today’s rap themes of cash and booty.
The human beat box Doug E. Fresh asked, “Who in the crowd is under 30?” Their volume response was much lower than when he asked about those who are over 30. What those under 30 may not have known is that the innovators of hip-hop can still “tear the roof off” and they did at Louisville Gardens Saturday night.
The show began with ladies’ man Big Daddy Kane, completing his set with his big hit, “Ain’t No Half Steppin’.”
The concert’s emcee Dana Dane who is known for the hip-hop classic “Cinderfella Dana Dane,” tried to be entertaining between acts, but failed.
At one point he was booed while trying to promote his Web site, http://www.danadane.com, which at press time has an under construction notice.
Whodini saved the day with their classics “Funky Beat,” “The Freaks Come Out at Night” and “One Love.”
Not familiar with these fellas yet? Well, how about the term, “La Di Da Di”? Slick Rick rapped his classic which featured the line, “I says, ‘I’m 19,’ she says, ‘Stop lying!'” Rick replaced 19 with 42.
He and the others were all in their forties, but rocked the crowd like they were all 18 again, providing dancing and humor for the audience.
One thing that all of the rappers said to the audience is to look at how their music has stood the test of time, where as today’s hip-hop is over before it even gets started.
