On Friday evening, December 8th, in New Orleans–the coldest, snowiest day recorded in the Big Easy in a decade–hometown favorites The Soul Rebels turned the heat on full blast for a star-filled, sold-out show at the Joy Theater. The performance featured a wide array of special guests, including multiple GRAMMY-winning pianist/producer Robert Glasper, decorated Brooklyn MC Talib Kweli, and NOLA-native veteran rapper Curren$y, and surprise sit-ins by the decorated solo artist/longtime Rolling Stones touring vocalist Lisa Fischer and Lettuce keyboardist/vocalist Nigel Hall.
Among other numerable highlights, The Soul Rebels backed Talib and Curren$y on “Push Thru“, a track from Kweli’s 2013 LP, Prisoner of Conscious, which he recorded with help from Curren$y and Kendrick Lamar. The performance marked the first time that Kweli and Curren$y performed the song live together.
Watch The Soul Rebels back Talib Kweli & Curren$y for the live debut of their collaborative 203 track “Push Thru” via the band’s YouTube page:
You can watch more assorted side-stage video footage from The Soul Rebels’ 12/8/17 show at The Joy Theater featuring Robert Glasper, Lisa Fischer, Talib Kweli, and many more below, via the band’s YouTube page:
Talib Kweli introduces Robert Glasper:
The Soul Rebels ft Robert Glasper & Talib Kweli – “The Blast”
The Soul Rebels ft. Robert Glasper, Lisa Fischer, Talib Kweli
The Soul Rebels continue their weekly Thursday residency at New Orleans’ Le Bon Temps Roule throughout the rest of the month (December 4th, December 21st, and December 28th, respectively) before closing out their 2017 with a New Year’s Eve show at The Maison in New Orleans featuring local hero George Porter Jr. and his current band, The Runnin’ Pardners. For more information about the band’s upcoming performances, or to purchase tickets, head to the band website.
[Cover photo: Jeremy Smith]