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Concert Sun Mar 21 2010
Review: P.O.S and Dessa @ Bottom Lounge
Photo by John Brunner over at Radio Free Chicago. See his review of the show here, and full set of pictures here.
If P.O.S and The Doomtree Collective are the future of hip-hop, then the future is looking bright. The Midwest rapper played to a packed and rabid crowd at the Bottom Lounge last Thursday, a room that made his Momma proud (she and his stepfather were present at the show) as they chanted along song after song during his visceral set.
Before P.O.S whipped the crowd into a frenzy, another Doomtree artist charmed her way into our hearts. Dessa has a sweet and smooth neosoul sound, giving of a not-so-crazy Erykah Badu vibe crafting wonderfully heartbreaking forlorn love songs. Her music of heartache is eloquent, expressing the feelings we can never find the words to say. She delivered up an offering of tracks off her debut album, A Badly Broken Code, including standout tracks of the night "Matches to Paper Dolls" the single "Dixon's Girl" and her duet with hometown hero Matt Santos, "The Chaconne." Their vocals blended perfectly together, despite the fact that it was the first time her and Santos have performed the song live together. She ended her set with a bit of slam poetry (showing her roots), her music a true example of the perfect way to blend pure poetry and hip-hop into one.
Dessa was the calm before the storm though, as P.O.S took the stage and launched directly into "Let it Rattle," a mass of fans rapping along verbatim, fist punctuating the end of every line. P.O.S seemed truly grateful for the wonderful turnout, and you can tell how much he really cares and connects with his fans. He stopped to thumb wrestle a few fans up front, and promised everyone that after the show he'd be right down on the floor, ready to sign stuff and thumb wrestle anyone else. He clearly understands the importance of befriending your fans, and its shows in the rabid allegiance of the crowd that night. As he dropped the single "Drumroll (We're All Thirsty)" it was like a bomb went off, a sweaty mass jumping up and down all around me. From the crowd to the delivery of his rhymes, the punk influences are evident throughout his set, and he shines during the most vulnerable lines. It's a show like this, the clear mutual respect and obsession for the music, and a close relationship between the fans and artist, that reminds you what live music is all about. It's about community, and screaming the words to every song, sweat pouring down your face as you dance your ass off. Don't just stand against the wall with your arms crossed. You've got to earn your right as a fan. And the crowd at the Bottom Lounge earned their right that night. If this is in fact the future of hip-hop, there is no other place I'd rather be.
