Forget what you’ve seen on MTV. This is the real deal.
In what could be the state’s largest hip-hop show of the year, former Wu-tang Clan performer Method Man and former Def Squad member Redman will land Wednesday, April 26, on the Bumstock field at the University of Maine in Orono.
The five-hour concert, set to begin at 5:30 p.m., also will feature Canadian rapper Choclair, the human beat box, Rahzel, and the DJ from the Beastie Boys, Mixmaster Mike.
“Method Man and Redman are considered to be one of the top touring hip-hop combos of the year,” said Jared Hanson, student entertainment vice president. “It looks as though this show could sell out.”
That statement might not be far from the truth. Both multiplatinum artists, Method Man and Redman collaborated in 1995 for “The Show” soundtrack and results have been phenomenal. Fan response has been so great that the two released a collaboration album, “Blackout,” in October 1999. They are on a countrywide tour to promote “Blackout” as well as their own individual albums, both released in December 1999.
Meth and Red aren’t the only draws of the show, though. Known for its energetic live performances, the nine-member rap group The Outsidaz will kick off the concert with its diverse rhyming styles and storytelling. The Outsidaz has made a point to include the tradition of the MC “battle,” a verbal exchange between two lyricists.
“Outsidaz is a true battle group. Each one of us can hold our own lyrically, and when we’re together, the creative energy just multiplies,” said group member Young Zee.
Following the Outsidaz will be the Canadian rap sensation Choclair. The recipient of two Juno Awards — the Canadian equivalent of a Grammy — Choclair plans to make an impression.
“I’m going to grab you with the performance,” Choclair said. “It’s like when people feel the vibe at a party and lose their mind. We’re having a real good time on our present tour and we plan to keep it moving that way.”
Choclair’s current tour includes two more of the night’s performers, Mix Master Mike and Rahzel.
Mix Master Mike turned heads after his collaboration with the Beastie Boys, but he’s been tearing up the turntables for more than 10 years now, most notably as a member of San Francisco’s Invisibl Skratch Piklz, where he was a three-time Disco Mix Club Champion.
“I focus on using the turntable as an instrument — and a new kind of music based on that,” Mix Master Mike said. “It’s turntable manipulation in an hour-long scratch show.”
Dubbed the “Godfather of Noyze,” Rahzel uses another discipline in hip-hop, the beat box — the art of making music with the mouth. Influenced by the likes of Bobby McFerrin and Doug E. Fresh, Rahzel has a unique stage show.
“The show uses sound effects, animation, voices sounds — it’s like one big video game,” Rahzel said. “It involves a lot of hip-hop theatrics, and I want people to feel what I’m doing.”
Taking the stage just before the headlining act will be Portland’s seven-piece cross-genre band, Rustic Overtones. Recently signed to Arista Records, the Overtones are in the middle of a nationwide tour to promote its latest release, “Volume Up.”
“We find hip-hop shows to be a lot more fun,” vocalist and guitarist Dave Gutter said. “Hip-hop has the attitude, like when you’re watching Scarface, and you’re cheering for the bad guy; it’s an atmosphere of bedlam. People are taking hip-hop more seriously now and that’s a good thing.”
All together, the show stands to deliver a thorough dose of some of hip-hop’s top performers.
“If people come out and support this show, we could potentially bring more large talent with the likes of DMX, Jay-Z or Dre,” Hanson said.
Tickets are available at all Strawberries locations, online at www.tickets.com, and by phone at (800) 477-6849. Tickets are $27 for the public and $20 for students. The concert is open to ages 16 and up. Doors open at 4:30 p.m., and the music will begin at 5:30 p.m.
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