28 April 2008 (gig)
30 April 2008
As he swigs from a bottle of red, it is clear to see that even as he approaches his 40th year, he is still practicing what he preaches. Throughout the show he repeats his mantra 'If you aint having a good time, you are wasting your time' whilst providing the clan at the front with vodka shots and a face full of champagne. Our barman for the night is Bobby Digital, aka RZA, aka Robert Diggs, master producer and founding member of the Wu Tang Clan.
This particular incarnation was created for his first solo outing, 1998 release 'RZA as Bobby Digital in Stereo’ which makes up much of the set list for tonight. Dark and raw like most of the output from his prolific career this album showed a move towards the abstract sound of the second Wu album 'Forever’. This is rough and tough, challenging Hip Hop with smart lyrics, not many Akon fans in tonight. The impressive sound system at this purpose built venue enabled every detail to be heard as intended, a producers dream that isn’t often the reality of live performance.
This tour is to promote the new Bobby Digital album 'Digi Snacks’ which will be released on July 1st. The solo material, old and new, was well received tonight. However it was the Wu Tang and Gravediggaz (yet another side project) tracks that really worked the crowd. Rap-along classics 'Protect Ya Neck’ and 'Nowhere To Run, Nowhere To Hide’ got people jumping before a tribute to the late Clan member ODB showed his more sensitive side.
Watch out for tonight’s support act Dan le Sac vs Scroobius Pip. Having already had massive underground success with their excellent first single 'Though Shalt Always Kill’ they are now promoting the soon-to-be-released album. An articulate rapper sitting in an armchair sipping rosé on stage; very British, but not very UK Hip Hop. Definitely worth a look.
