Modern News

For the first time in several weeks, the sun was shining down on the East River State Park as hip-hop took over the Pool Parties for the first time this summer. Headlined by Oakland’s Del Tha Funkee Homosapien and featuring a dj set by the legendary Prince Paul, some good old fashioned sexual insanity from Gravy Train!!!!, an experimental rock set by Toronto’s dd/mm/yyyy and newcomer Kenan Bell.

Up first was Kenan Bell, whose day job is teaching kids in California language arts. Backed by members of indie group Bear Hands and others, Bell showcased his own brand of classic sounding hip-hop (as confusing as that sounds) winning over the ridiculously sparse crowd in the park. There were a few more people for dd/mm/yyyy’s set that combined electronic, both quiet and thrashing guitars and pounding drums as the sun beat down.

Next up was Gravy Train!!!!. There’s really not a way to describe them is electrosexpop. I hate labeling but there you go. The quartet booty danced, choreographed some songs, stripped and put faces in each others’ backsides while singing songs about frat houses and some of bands’ hits like “Titties Bounce” and “Hella Nervous”. Gravy Train!!!! Seemed like an odd introduction to Prince Paul, legendary DJ and producer of De La Soul, Stetsasonic, Gravediggaz and countless other acts. Starting with the recent obligatory Michael Jackson tribute, Paul (with his daughter by his side) ripped through classics from A Tribe Called Quest, Naughty By Nature, Black Sheep, M.O.P and more, paving the way for Del.

After a brief delay, Del’s friend and associate Bukue One hit the stage for a few before bringing on Deltron Zero himself. It’s been about 8 years since I’ve seen the two share a stage and they didn’t miss a beat. With the sunset over the East River, Del spat out “Dr. Bombay” and “Mistadobalina” from his debut album I Wish My Brother George Was Here, the title track from No Need For Alarm as well as “Clint Eastwood” from his collaboration with Gorillaz and songs from his newly released free album. The lineup from beginning to end on this perfect day made for the best Pool Party since the season opener.