As the track for “The Saga Begins” began to play, hip-hop icon Rakim momentarily stood with his back to the packed house at The Loft in Lansing, MI. His fans filled the venue on Valentine’s Day, and their love for him was overwhelmingly apparent.
As Rakim turned around in preparation to rhyme, a smile crept onto his famously serious face. Before he could utter even one of his legendary lines he had to first greet and shake hands with as many of his admirers as possible. Rakim’s love for them was equally apparent.
Everyone who attended Rakim at The Loft on February 14, 2020 will remember it. This concert was an instant classic. THISEnt.com was honored and excited to be on hand to witness this unforgettable night.
The event kicked off with the legendary DJ Ruckus providing the soundtrack for breakers from 61Syx Technique. The b-boys set the tone for the night, getting the already hot crowd hotter as hip-hop artist Ozay Moore emceed their skill display.
Veteran rhymer SINcere Sinatra took the stage next. A Michigan native that now resides in Florida, he got love from the home crowd as he worked the deck from side to side. Soon joined by members of his crew, they kept hands waving throughout the rest of SINcere’s set.
Edicus followed with an impressive set of his own that got a great reaction from the audience. As his tracks thumped in the house speakers, he rattled every listening ear with his sharp lyrics.
The sound system then got another workout from Midwest icon Izydope and his Dopesound Affiliates. The 4 artists attacked the room with a gritty, hard-hitting performance, then stuck around a few minutes post-performance for an impromptu grimy freestyle that had everyone cheering.
From there the bar was raised so high by AOTA Crew only Rakim was going to reach it. Ruckus and Ozay were joined by their All of the Above Hip Hop Academy brothers Y’z Council, Ess Be, James Gardin, Jahshua Smith, and Sareem Poems for what was the most “hip-hop” group set to possibly ever grace The Loft stage. There was crowd participation, breaking, a beat display, and camaraderie and infectious energy that was felt throughout the venue and likely outside of it too.
Once Rakim hit the stage he grabbed the bar and bent it around his microphone. Backed by Technician The DJ, the God MC took everyone in the building to hip-hop heaven. Considered around the world to be the greatest MC of all-time, Rakim showcased why he’s been globally revered for generations. During his performance of “Paid In Full”, the legendary single by him and his former groupmate Eric B, Rakim left its iconic lyrics to the audience.
As Technician blasted its beat, Rakim pointed to the crowd, then to his ears, and marveled as they blared every word back in his direction. That’s love.
Right now, this stands as the best concert of 2020. |THIS
[Written by Mr. Joe Walker | Follow THIS on Twitter @THISENT1]
