If you didn’t make it out to Highline Ballroom yesterday all I can say is I hope you had something important to do instead.  The night started off with DJ Ready Cee on the ones and twos followed by Kid Cudi, Torae, Wale, and Pete Rock.  Full review, a lot of photos, special guests and setlists inside.

After a short set by Kid Cudi, Torae stepped up to get it started with ‘Get It Going’ off of Daily Conversation.  Backed by Marco Polo, Torae introduced his catalogue to those not up on him showing off his contributions to 9th Wonder’s ‘Merchant of Dreams’ and his new track produced by Pete Rock.  Given the short amount of time he had to perform Torae was able to make the most of it, finishing it off by bringing Skyzoo up on stage with him. 

Rhymefest did a brief set before Wale.  Besides ‘Ain’t No Sunshine’ the highlight of his performance had to be him bringing a random kid from the crowd up on stage to spit Kanye’s verses from ‘Brand New.’

Everyone else on the lineup I had seen before so Wale was who I was most curious to check out live.  100 Miles and Running is a such a refreshing mixtape and unlike most, one you can listen to straight through.  The second he grabbed the mic Wale started moving the crowd looking like he has been doing it for decades.  After running through a few tracks with his DJ, he brought out the D.C. go-go band bringing the energy up another level and really fitting in perfectly with him.  After ‘W.A.L.E.D.A.N.C.E.’ and ‘Nike Boots’ he welcomed out Black Thought who spit ‘Thought @ Work’ with him over the house band in authentic Roots fashion.  He also debuted one of his newer Mark Ronson produced tracks ‘All I Need to Get By,’ a take on the Marvin Gaye/Tammi Terrell classic.  An all around impressive set by the D.C. native, Wale certainly proved he is out there to rep his city and make himself a household name. 

Black Thought

Wale and Daniel Merriweather performing ‘Stop Me’

with Mark Ronson

Pete Rock, the night’s headliner took the stage and went right to the turntables.  After spinning a bunch of the classic joints he produced from Nas to Ghostface he made his way to the front of the stage to show what makes a true legend that can stay relevant in the game for so long.  He shared the stage and mic with plenty of guests including Royal Flush, DoItAll from Lords of the Underground, and Styles P.  Performing material mostly from New York’s Finest PR made sure not to leave out the classics.  Before getting into his last one of the night, he took a minute to say what was up with him and CL Smooth, which is essentially nothing at all, going on further to say that he never wants to be asked about CL again, period.  It was disappointing to hear considering Mecca & The Soul Brother was the soundtrack that so many hiphop heads grew up on but music is a business and like any other business, relationships sometimes come to an end.  As always, Livendirect continue to throw the best hiphop shows in New York and here is looking forward to their next event… 

Pete Rock & Royal Flush

Pete & DoItAll

PR & Styles P