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Concert Fri Mar 21 2008
Soul Providin'.
"Underground hip-hop" is probably as overused as a concept as "indie pop sensibilities," but at the very least, the former is not overtly aimed at getting mainstream critical approval and showing up on TRL or 106 & Park anytime soon. For every mainstream hip-hop artist played in the burbs or in dance clubs across the city, there are an uncertain quantity of artists that simply do their thing, and do it well out of the limelight.
In 2007, Los Angeles-based duo Blu (lyricist) and Exile (soundscapes) released Below the Heavens, which garnered critical acclaim but minimal sales. Featuring a flow that is reminiscent of a sped-up Common and an everyman personality and subject matter that makes the lyrics accessible to most listeners, Blu is a relative newcomer to the industry, so the urge to crown him the Next Big Thing is evident, but he’s solid at what he does. Exile’s sonics are on the side of simple, providing atmospherics that stay out of Blu’s way, but with enough technical adroitness to not make it seem easy.
So now, Blu & Exile visit Chicago on Saturday night amidst a crowd of Chicago underground luminaries. Subterranean has a well-deserved reputation for hosting “underground” and supporting hip-hop in general, and this is no different. Tickets are ten bones, and the show starts at 10pm and goes til 3am. When was the last time you were up until 3am for a good (clean) reason? Good hip-hop is a great reason. Info is here.
-Blu & Exile - "Soul Amazing"
