May 29, 2010 @ The Joint (Hard Rock Hotel & Casino), Las Vegas, Nevada
Photos by Arkitekt (Click photos for larger versions)
Opening Acts: Nneka, DJ Green Lantern
DJ Green Lantern: Gang Starr – “Mass Appeal”, DMX – “Ruff Ryders Anthem”, Slick Rick – “Hey Young World”, Snoop Dogg – “Drop It Like It’s Hot”, The Notorious B.I.G. – “Hypnotize”, etc.
Nas & Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley: (in order)
1. Distant Relatives – “As We Enter”
2. Distant Relatives – “Tribes At War”
3. Distant Relatives – “Nah Mean”
4. Nas – “Represent”
5. Nas – “Nas Is Like”
6. Nas – “Hip Hop Is Dead”
7. Nas “If I Ruled The World” (Gary Coleman & Guru R.I.P.)
8. Damian Marley – “The Mission”
9. Damian Marley – “More Justice”
10. Distant Relatives – “Leaders”
11. Distant Relatives – “Count Your Blessings”
12. Distant Relatives – “Patience”
13. Distant Relatives – “Dispear”
14. Distant Relatives – “Land Of Promise”
15. Distant Relatives – “Strong Will Continue”
16. Nas – “Hate Me Now”
17. Nas – “Got Urself A Gun”
18. Nas – “Made You Look” (“Deep Cover” blend)
19. Damian Marley – “Could You Be Loved” (Bob Marley & The Wailer’s Cover)
20. Damian Marley – “Welcome To Jamrock”
21. Damian Marley & Nas – “Road To Zion”
22. Distant Relatives – “Africa Must Wake Up”
23. Nas – “One Mic” (Encore)
Bottom Line:
I was unable to catch soul singer Nneka’s set, but got to see DJ Green Lantern spin some Hip-Hop classics to get the crowd hyped for Nas & Damian Marley. I really hope that some of you have purchased this album after reading my review. This concert made me appreciate Distant Relatives even more. Their chemistry sounded better with a live band (Green Lantern threw on Nas’ solos) compared to the album. They performed all their songs off the album except “Friends”, “In His Own Words”, and “My Generation”. However, I can’t say there was one dull performance. My favorite songs were “Leaders”, “Strong Will Continue”, “Could You Be Loved”, “Welcome To Jamrock”, “Road To Zion”, “Africa Must Wake Up”, and (the best for last) “One Mic”. Don’t miss this concert if you have the chance to see it. It’s the best show I’ve been to since ’07 Rock The Bells (Rage Against The Machine, Wu-Tang Clan, Cypress Hill, Public Enemy, etc.)
Bonus: Three must see Hip-Hop shows. Some of these concerts are worth driving a few hours to see.
Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival
July 10, 2010 @ Brooklyn Bridge Plaza & Tobacco Warehouse, Brooklyn, New York
Admission: $15
Performers: De La Soul (headliner), Smif-N-Wessun & Black Moon (Duckdown 15th Anniversary), Curren$y, Fashawn, Skyzoo, The Money Making Jam Boys
Rock The Bells 2010 Festival
August 21, 2010 @ NOS Events Center, Los Angeles, California
August 22, 2010 @ Shoreline Amphitheatre, San Francisco, California
August 28, 2010 @ South Island Field/Governor’s Island, New York, New York
August 29, 2010 @ Merriweather Post Pavilion, Washington D.C.
Admission: $75+
Performers: Snoop Dogg (Performing “Doggystyle” w/ Warren G, Tha Dogg Pound, Lady Of Rage, RBX), A Tribe Called Quest (performing “Midnight Marauders”), Wu-Tang Clan (Performing “Enter The Wu-Tang”), Rakim (Performing “Paid In Full”), KRS-One (Performing “Criminal Minded”), Slick Rick (Performing “The Great Adventures Of”), DJ Premier (Tribute to Gang Starr), Lauryn Hill, Street Sweeper Social Club, Murs & 9th Wonder, Wiz Khalifa, Clipse, Immortal Technique, Brother Ali, Jedi Mind Tricks, DJ Muggs & Ill Bill, Supernatural, DJ Rocky Rock, & more
Jay-Z & Eminem Concert
September 2 @ Comerica Park, Detroit, Michigan
September 13 @ Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York
Admission: Tickets go on sale June 12
Performers: Jay-Z, Eminem, and more?