Event Recap: Brother Ali x Evidence x Fresh Air Tour

Events    By Landon A. on November 27, 2009 at 12:58 pm

Without the deep pockets of a major label and promotional plugs that know no limits, the independent Hip-Hoppers of today are best compared to the bluesmen of the past: Packing into vans, sedans and caravans, taking their show on the road taking little with them but their instruments and the clothes on their back.

Brother Ali, Toki Wright, Evidence and DJ BK One are no exception. The Rhymesayers foursome pulled up to Uncle Pleasants, a hole in the wall drinking spot in Louisville, Kentucky, in a Ford Econoline van pulling a U-Haul trailer packed with DJ equipment. They wasted no time in sharing daps with the fans gathered outside the venue, hell they even pushed their own merch, encouraging patrons to add to the tip jar to pay for the soundman’s bar tab. In a venue packed with all types of people, wannabe rappers and DJ’s shamelessly promoting their own endeavors were in attendance, while older heads hugging the wall with half empty glasses of Henny.

Despite the chilly outdoor temperature, the venue was smoldering. Walls were sweating and so were the people, even before Toki Wright took the stage. Toki’s set was a pleasant surprise, I can’t say I’ve really ever listened to dudes body of work but he controlled the crowd like a true MC and separated his own material with crowd-assisted covers of some Hip-Hop classics before relinquishing the mic to Evidence.

Rumor has it The Weatherman gives a hell of a show so I was glad to finally see for myself. He performed joints from The Weatherman LP and The Layover EP as well as a Dilated Joint or two. The crowd reacted positively; especially when he performed the Kanye West-assisted “This Way” of Dilated Peoples third album, Neighborhood Watch.

As a majority of the crowd switched from beer to water, Brother Ali took the stage, wiping the sweat from his bald head and reminding the drenched crowd just how hot it was in the building. Despite the elements though, Ali moved the crowd, performing sing alongs like “Take Me Home” and “Beauty Tips According To Forest Whitaker.” BK One also took the reins, mixing and scratching original beats inspired by classic Brazilian records. At the end of his set Ali invited his tour mates back on stage to perform “The Freshest Kids,” the official anthem of The Fresh Air Tour.

Brother Ali, Toki Wright, Evidence and BK One have been traveling the states since late September on this tour promoting Brother Ali’s newest album Us and BK One’s compilation album Rádio Do Canibal, both in stores now.

Posted in Events, GENERAL, SMOKE BREAK — Tags: Brother Ali, Events, Evidence, Fresh Air Tour, Us