There’s a strange inferiority complex that possesses Boston sports fans. Sure the Celtics won some 16 banners, but that was generations ago. 1918? And remember when the Patriots played Chicago for the ’86 Super Bowl? For each victory parade, the Boston native keeps a list of pain and misfortune that results in a martyr complex.
Boston hip-hop often feels the same way, especially when its denizens dress in Red Sox colors or reference Len Bias on stage. When XXL Magazine features Reks in “Show and Prove,” when Akrobatik lands a gig with corporate rap radio, when Keith Olbermann chastises Esoteric and 7L’s East Coast Avengers for suggesting the death of Bill O’Reilly, as Termanology drops his first official CD two years past “Unsigned Hype” status, Boston can shed its status as a 2nd tier hop-hop city. Let the celebration begin.
Tonight was certainly a hometown celebration- fueled by Über producer Statik Selektah and his work to promote Boston hip-hop’s latest hero. The hype was all there, as Termanology has burst out of Lawrence (Lawtown), MA with five volumes of Hood Politics mix tapes. Champagne doused the front row; stage diving was contemplated, and then denied, all to recognize the September 30 release of Politics as Usual.
While openers entertained the packed crowd at the Middle East Downstairs since 9:00, the show started in earnest when Reks graced the mic. Born and loved in Lawrence, Reks delivered a crisp set taken mostly from his recent Grey Hairs album. Filled with tales of maturation, Reks cut a humble presence on stage, commanding attention with his clear delivery and cliché free banter. His strongest moments came as Jon Hope & Lucky Dice poured forth on “Telescope,” trading smooth hooks and repin’ Providence.
Joining Reks for a song, and then taking over the stage, Dorchester’s Akrobatik did more than take over the stage. When Akro is in the club, he shuts it down, flips it, and reopens it, just to shut it down once more. Seriously, too many Boston folks only know him from morning sports raps, but this is one serious MC. Serious as in lyrical content, and battle ready delivery, and massive forearms.
An Akrobatik performance is a beautiful thing. He unites the crowd, and you feel free to nod your head and pump your fist with abandon. This is classic, boom bap production, heavy up-tempo beat and crystal clear lyrics. The short set, Akrobatik was so late to the show he “didn’t get the chance to smoke,” was heavy on new material. “A to the K” opened the set, and “Put Your Stamp On It” with shouts to J Dilla and Talib Kweli brought everyone to dance. Oh, he’s also the only MC who can deliver a PSA rap about muthafuckin cocaine that makes you bounce and learn something valuable.
Then the inevitable letdown began (this is a hallmark of live hip-hop shows. The atmosphere dies, and things get ignorant). First, Esoteric and 7L were no shows, happily celebrating the birth of Esoteric’s son. Then for the next 30 minutes, various members of the ST da Squad family urged us to get ready, then cut some freestyles, then the DJ walked away, then we urged the state of Massachusetts to “free Ghetto,” then the CD skipped, then people started walking upstairs and out.
In fairness, this was an in-family party as Termanology was flanked by dozens of friends, cousins, Lawtown support, and anyone else who could make it on stage. Still, the CD was cutting out on the man of the evening, and the DJ was offering little more than pressing play. Much to his credit, Termanology was beyond energetic, joking when the wrong version of a song came on: “bring it back to Boston, none of that Houston” speed. The entrance song, “This is How we Rock,” was a highlight, but the unending posturing and surveys of “how many had copped the album” killed the party mood.
In two weeks, Termanology sets off with Method and Red Man for a national tour, clearly announcing his status as a potent MC. As he has consistently shown on mix-tapes, his polished album shows Termanology as a force ready to get recognition. Look for him to make converts, bringing love to anyone throwin up them 3’s.
