up in smoke

I was a sophomore in high school when I saw the first, and best, rap concert of my life.

The show was at the Palace of Auburn Hills, and since my friends and I weren’t old enough to drive yet, my pops played chauffeur. As we pulled up in the parking lot, there was commotion going on outside the players’ entrance on the side of the building. After we got dropped off, and we headed over to see what was up, I saw something I’ll never forget.

On a makeshift basketball court, about five feet in front of me and fifteen other fans, Snoop and Warren G were just casually hoopin’ it up. They weren’t taking it seriously, just joking around and trying to block one another, while we casually stood in the presence of some of the biggest rap stars in the world. Xzibit, who was looking quite short and real blunted, was just kickin’ right there, too. I couldn’t believe it.

The show, of course, was Up In Smoke.

The mega-powers of West Coast rap, with Detroit’s Caucasian sensation, all on one bill. The Doggfather, Westside Connection, Warren G, Kurupt, MC Ren, The Eastsidaz, Nate Dogg, Slim Shady and D-12, and of course, Dr. D.R.E. himself.

At the time, it was monumental. Looking back, seeing everything that’s gone on since, it’s even more so.

How many people can say they’ve seen Westside Connection perform together live? Seen Snoop and Dre perform “Ain’t Nothin But A G Thang?” Warren G and Nate perform “Regulate?” Proof backin’ up Em? The Eastsidaz perform anything? A live version of “Ain’t No Fun,” with everyone there to spit their classic verses? A NWA reunion, with Snoop filling the role of the late Eazy E?

How many people can say they’ve seen Devin the Dude stumble onto the stage, drink in hand, and sing his beloved melody, “Hey, hey, what do ya say? Tell me, have you ever been fucked this way,” to lead into “I Just Wanna Fuuuuck U,” with Snoop and Dre?

How many people can say they’ve seen all those things, in one show?

Only those who copped tix to this timeless event.

The overall atmosphere was also something it’d never seen. As a newcomer to hip-hop concerts, I wasn’t really sure what to anticipate, especially since my friends and I were all white. What I did end up seeing was a melting pot of hip-hop heads, coming together for something greater than everyday life.

Just like the performers, people from all walks of life were united, belting out seriously every word to every song. It didn’t matter who you were, how old you were, or what your overall status was; if you liked the music, you fit in. The group of older brothers behind me actually knew more of the words to Eminem’s material than I did. It was awesome.

All in all, it was an extremely rare tour de force, and one that simply won’t be topped as far as rap concerts. I’ve seen at least twenty hip-hop shows since, some good ones too, and they don’t even come close. With all the talent that was present, no concert I could ever see will compare. Specifically because, with all the changes that have happened since (most of them being negative), the grouping of all those artists is something that probably won’t ever happen again.

Thanks to their cohesion, it was a rare look at how unity can bring together people from all walks of life. Whether you were a world-renown rapper, a grimy street hustler, or a suburban white boy like myself, you were accepted. No questions asked.

It was a night I’ll cherish forever, and one I will have a hard time topping in the many years I’ve hopefully got ahead of me.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKOXBv3pfLY[/youtube]