Modern News

When Erykah Badu announces a last minute “secret” show for $20 at a small venue, you go if you can. Before I go into anything else, I’ll say that tonight benefited those who believe that patience is indeed a virtue. The performances kicked off with electronics genius and electro-pop esque Amanda Warner aka MNDR. Equipped only with a mixer and a microphone (as well as her associate who did a superb job with the lighting) she somewhat awkwardly made it through songs from her E.P. such as “C.L.U.B”, “Fade To Black” and the unreleased “Sparrow”. Up next was The Tony Castles, that has been described by critics as “dream pop”. There isn’t, per se, anything wrong with this band, but its sleepy seemingly epically long songs made for a major lull between the more uptempo acts that preceded and followed.

After The Tony Castles vacated, it was time for Naeem Juwan, Lord Darko aka Spank Rock and Roofeeo (of the motherfuckin’ Death Set). Dressed in a suit with slicked back hair, they ran through bass heavy tongue in cheek new classics like “Competition”, “Rick Rubin” and “Shake That”. Now I’ve seen Spank Rock and Erykah Badu quite a few times each, and the thought never crossed my mind that the audiences would clash. However when Naeem played “Shake It Till My Dick Turns Racist”, a staple of Spank Rock’s shows, a majority of the female heavy crowd practically booed them offstage. He then joked that he was going to come up front to watch Erykah, but nobody seemed able to absorb the humor.

…and then the waiting started. About an hour after Spank Rock finished, Ms. Badu’s band set up the stage, and when her DJ started playing a track from the upcoming New Amerykah 2, the anticipation was at its height. However, another hour or so passed with mixed confusion from everyone from the audience to the stage crew to the DJs. Finally a few minutes before 1:30am, a trench coat clad Badu sauntered onstage with her laptop, tea and camera to wild applause from the relieved room. She did not disappoint. The close to 2 hour set drew from all the singers records. “20 Feet Tall” from Return of the Ankh, “The Healer” from New Amerykah Part 1, “On & On” from Baduizm, World Wide Underground’s “Danger” were just a few choice examples of what she serenaded us with. Those whose legs didn’t fail them were rewarded with an unforgettable (late) night of music. Thanks Erykah.