Let me tell you about DC Hip Hop:
Not unlike Toronto, the main followers of the underground scene in Chocolate City itself happen to be young white teenagers -- everyone else digs the commercial, "Bling, Bling" shit or Go-Go. And just like in Toronto, these white teenagers show no same, know their shit, and are the main ones who are out there representing when the lesser name artists make their way to your town. (We won't get into the reasons here...)

Let me tell you about Kool Keith:
Formerly of the Ultramagnetic MC's, Black Elvis aka Dr. Doom aka Dr. Octagon aka Poppa Large et al, veteran of at least six solo projects (this writer lost count), the only Keith known as Kool, essential still gets no mainstream love, despite being in the game for well over a decade.

But combine these two entities in just the right setting (the Garage in NW DC) and something special happens....

Let's forget the fact that the man didn't hit the stage until 1:30am and that this was a weeknight. There were 6 cops cars parked outside of the nearby strip club and Mr. Keith is a well known porno freak, so you can draw your own conclusions.

Forget the fact that the mics sucked and sounded like static all night, thus making it heard to comprehend the already sometimes indecipherable lyrics.

Forget the fact that the crowd started a random, drunken mosh pit prior to his arrival.

THIS WAS A HYPE SHOW.

First of all, it's been a year since my triumphant return to DC and I haven't heard a better underground mix DJ than the one they had spinning that night. But a memo to the organizers: if your gonna keep us there for three hours, at least throw some dancers up on stage instead of having us stare exclusively at an Eminem look-alike on the one and two.

But on wit da sho...

After doing a couple of mic-checks, Dr. Doom and his sideman exploded onto the stage with the high-energy, "Prepare," and kept it going strong for the hour long set, pausing only to occasionally douse the crowd with water. But one track in particular, I think it's called "Housing Authority," really got the crowd jumping.

I'll say this, the man may operate on Ichiban-Son time, but once he gets the party started, he keeps it lit. And he passed the true test of a performer. I guarantee you a good 70% of the crowd weren't familiar with his stuff, including his new LP entitled, "Mattew", prior to the show (yours truly included.) But he made sure that all of us left fans....

.... And that's BEFORE he exited stage left with two bikini clad, silicon honies from the strip club under each arm....

I'm out like Keith at the end of this night!!!