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Rakim and Kid Capri Perform at New York’s Highline Ballroom
New York – It was an evening fit for a king, as all came to watch Rakim perform music from his highly anticipated release, The Seventh Seal,
at New York’s Highline Ballroom. Special surprise guests included Kid
Capri; old-school MC Grandmaster Kaz; and the boss, Rick Ross.
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Wu-Tang alumni U-God opened the night with his recent release, Dopium.
The crowd wasn’t at capacity yet, but those in attendance didn’t seem
interested until DJ Bustin’ Kaps injected life into his set with
classic Wu-Tang songs. With their ‘W’s’ in the air, the crowd sung
along to “Gravel Pit,” Ghostface Killah’s “Cher Chez La Ghost” and
“Triumph” among others.
Then Kid Capri emerged, bringing along veteran MC Grandmaster Kaz for one of the night’s surprise lineups.
An hour later, Rakim stepped on stage and the audience of young and old
hip-hop enthusiasts erupted. He rocked the crowd with “Holy on War,”
the first single from his new album, followed by the classics
“Microphone Fiend,” “Follow The Leader” and “Mahogony.”
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He wrapped the night by performing tracks from the album that made him one of the best emcees of all time, Paid in Full.
Although most of his set was classic Eric B. & Rakim, his new
material was well received. Rakim proved he still has the skills more
than 20 years later to rock a crowd, and that hip-hop is definitely
alive and well. –felicia j. barclay
Grade: B+
