Why Rakim is better than your new favourite rapper
Posted on 13. Jul, 2010 by Anupa in Concerts, Music, Rappers, Reviews, Toronto
I was kind of surprised to see such a huge turn out for Rakim’s free show at Harbourfront on Saturday night. Granted, it cost zero dollars, so there’s that, but despite the heavy Drake, K’Naan, Shad, et al-love of late, the rap scene in Toronto has slowed down significantly. It’s obviously a sign of the Jiggy 3.0 times, but extending that philosophy, who would show up for Rakim—an emcee’s emcee, more spit than show, The God Allah? Lots of people, really.
The assembled massive got riled up quick with an insane set by DJ 33 1/3 that broke my neck in four places and made me gleefully hoarse. How you gonna roll 30 seconds of some of the hypest, choicest, most universally understood hip-hop tracks from the early-to-mid-90s to now, for like half an hour straight? HOW? From “Public Service Annoucement” to “Triumph” to “Return of the Crooklyn Dodgers,” Just Blaze banger after Just Blaze banger to the killingest Tribe cuts, it was the ‘Notic; people were caught up in a special kind of nostalgia, reserved for those who remember falling in love with hip-hop. Rakim’s DJ is why he’s better than your favourite new rapper.
And then he came out: this diminutive, jort-wearing, fitted-rocking, old-ish, tiny ass dude. Really, Rakim’s mad short. It’s incredible that in my time as a hip-hop fan I’ve never seen Rakim live, so forgive my actual surprise at his stature. There’s a reason I will forever fucks with a NY dude: because I get lady boners for guys that rock a white tee, baggy jeans, Timbs, and Yankees fitteds. That’s not to say I’d fuck with Rakim, but he represents rap’s old guard—unpretentious and regular dude-ish. Rakim’s steez is why he’s better than your favourite new rapper.
When he finally began to spit, going through classic cuts like Eric B. collabos “I Ain’t No Joke,” “Paid In Full” and “Don’t Sweat The Technique,” as well as some of his own stuff, we were rapt (though, for accurate representation’s sake, he seemed to peter out after a couple songs, losing his voice and skipping verses). Talking through the usual rapper border woes, Rakim explained he was on stage that night without some of his entourage—but he didn’t need them. Some rappers make the internet go nuts, Rakim causes an IRL frenzy. He expressed concern about Toronto’s G20 troubles—something our homegrown have yet to do—and extolled the preciousness of belonging to a hip-hop generation, reminding the old heads and eager newbies that rap is still political. Rakim’s smarts is why he’s better than your favourite new rapper.
