In one of the most unique concept shows to occur in quite some time, the Irving Plaza stop on the Renegades of Rhythm Tour took us back in time to the hayday of live scratching breakbeat old school hip-hop with some of the originators of the genre themselves. The unique concept had DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist digging into Afrika Bambaataa’s personal record collection, mixing live on six turntables to deliver a groundbreaking performance.
Afrika Bambaataa’s famed record collection of 40,000 pieces of music history, donated in 2013 to the Hip Hop Collection at Cornell University, showcases the most influential and game-changing musicians from all over the map. The hip-hop vanguard and founder of the Universal Zulu Nation sat above the crowd, observing two pioneers pay homage to his legacy while putting their own unique *spin* on things.
The set weaved in and out of some of the most iconic urban songs of the latter part of the 20th century, featuring Sly and the Family Stone, Beastie Boys, Kraftwerk, James Brown, Grandmaster Flash, and Kool and the Gang, just to name a few. The two legendary producers literally dug into crates full of records right on stage, then mixed and mastered the classic material right in front of the audience. DJ Shadow even encouraged a dance circle and the crowd complied, really throwing it back by clearing the floor for a break dance competition. Soon after, the 57 year old Afrika Bambaataa made his was down from the VIP balcony to take a bow on stage.
If you have a chance to catch the Renegades of Rhythm Tour when it hits your city, do NOT miss out on this! Check the schedule below:
9/9 Baltimore, MDÂ – Baltimore SoundstageÂ
9/11 Charlotte, NCÂ – The Fillmore Charlotte
9/12 Atlanta, GAÂ – The Loft At Center StageÂ
9/14 Orlando, FLÂ – House of BluesÂ
9/16 New Orleans, LAÂ – House of BluesÂ
9/18 Austin, TXÂ – ACL LiveÂ
9/19 Dallas, TXÂ – House of BluesÂ
9/20 Houston, TXÂ – House of BluesÂ
9/22 Louisville, KYÂ – Mercury BallroomÂ
9/23 Chicago, ILÂ – House of Blues
9/24 Minneapolis, MNÂ – Skyway TheaterÂ
9/26 Denver, COÂ – Ogden TheatreÂ
9/27 Aspen, COÂ – Belly Up AspenÂ
9/29 Las Vegas, NVÂ – Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas
10/1 San Diego, CAÂ – House of BluesÂ
10/2 Anaheim, CAÂ – House of Blues Â
10/3 Los Angeles, CAÂ – Hollywood PalladiumÂ
10/7 Portland, ORÂ – Roseland TheaterÂ
10/8 Seattle, WAÂ – NeptuneÂ
10/9 Vancouver, BCÂ – Commodore Ballroom
[Photos by Margarita Corporan, Rolling Stone]