As the floor in Broadway Joe's became more and more packed with eager fans on Friday night for the sixth anniversary celebration of Baby Steps hip-hop, the general energy level continuously skyrocketed.
The Queen City's underground hip-hop scene is one of its many thriving artistic cultures, unfortunately widely overlooked by UB students. Baby Steps, an amalgam of underground Buffalo emcees, DJs and hip-hop promoters has been spreading the hip-hop gospel in Buffalo for six years, and has recently expanded to other cities such as New York and San Francisco.
Friday's show was a celebration of the long-running Baby Steps tradition and yet another opportunity for hip-hop heads and new fans alike to enjoy live music and appreciate the honed skills of Buffalo's finest underground rappers and DJs.
Much of the night's focus was dedicated to an eclectic and impressive ode to work on the turntables. DJ's Tommee, LoPro, Corona Graphix, Rich the Snitch, Cutler and Boston's Frank White were among those to spin.
The monotonous top-ten dance hits repetitively heard at every other bar on Main Street were, refreshingly, not represented. Nearly everything else, from Wu Tang Clan to classic soul and jazz melodies, was skillfully showcased.
DJ Tommee was without a doubt the night's tightest DJ. He previously hosted Baby Steps events before moving to Boston. Donning a memorial Rick James t-shirt as a tribute to the deceased artist, Tommee demonstrated skill and musical taste that kept heads nodding throughout the bar.
DJ LoPro accompanied 3rd Son, one of the first emcees to perform. Both 3rd Son and LoPro delivered smooth, complex and well-rehearsed performances that made a difficult and intricate art form look simple.
While Grand Phee, Loki da Trixta and a few others also flowed well and with intensity, it took a while for any emcee to take the stage and those who did didn't perform nearly long enough to fully showcase their skills.
There was a great deal of hype prior to the show's opening as to whom the "mystery special guest" performers would be. Rumors flew around that big name rappers such as Aesop Rock or even Kool G Rap would take the stage.
When all was said and done, it was Boston's Porn Theatre Ushers who took the stage for the show's grand finale. While this may have been somewhat of a disappointment for fans expecting another act, the Porn Theatre Ushers delivered an on-point set that was well received by Friday's crowd.
The Porn Theatre Ushers, which consist of rappers Nabo Rawk and Mister Jason, combine a witty, humorous and non-traditional lyrical tone with a funky production sound similar to that of De La Soul.
While they may not yet have as big of a name in the industry as Aesop Rock, they have the talent to achieve that status. "Sloppy Seconds," their 2000 EP, earned them a name in the world of underground rap. Fans are still awaiting a full-length record.
One of the best parts of Friday's event was the show's atmosphere. Fans happily conversed, played pool and studied the performers. The healthy crowd grew throughout the night until it was difficult to navigate the busy room.
"It was a good time," said Eli Sipos, a senior Spanish major at UB. "A lot of people came and it was nice to see that it was at Joe's. The special guest could have been a little better, but it was cool all the same."
It was an energetic and excellent night for hip-hop fans and an appropriate way to commemorate the now six-year old Baby Steps tradition.
Those interested should consult the Baby Steps website at www.babystepshiphop.com.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
