08 March 2010 (gig)
16 March 2010
First up, Gav Livz who played a generic pop music style take on U.S gansta rap. They certainly had a good fanbase in the crowd who were happy to join in for the `Ah Yays` and hand wavings on request. The singing and rapping was easy on the ears and is commercially perfect for young teens just becoming aquainted with hip hop but failed to bring anything unique to the table.
Next up, Stanley Odd who are without doubt making their own sound. Unlike the opening act they relied not on well-produced beats playing through the speakers but a full live band that included two guitarists, A Bass, A drummer, A D.J and 2 vocalists. One a female singer, the other a wordsmith to be reckoned with. Think a Scottish Buck 65 and you wont be disaponted. The music was anything but bling. Real, Heartfelt, Uplifting lyrics with funky basslines and infectious beats. The King Tuts crowd seemed to love it and definitely made this reviewer look forward to hearing their upcoming L.P due for release in May. Veronica Electronika was in fine form and never missed a note, The band was tight and the words were hard-hitting with an efforless flow. Solareye is an M.C that dares to be different and the highlight was probably `Think of A Number` which is due for release at the end of the month. This really got everyone going, With an electric atmosphere now starting to sweep over King Tuts.
Third on but pulling a crowd usually reserved for headliners was the Glaswegian legend that is Bigg Taj. He is one of the most reknowned beat-boxers in Europe and proved his class with mind boggling skills as he had the crowd bouncing like there was still a full band onstage. There wasn't. To begin it was just his well-honed skills and a microphone. While Beardyman's well-deserved hype grows everymore, Its about time that Big Tajj was given far more recognition by this nations press as he put on a show no one will forget in a hurry. The set also included cameos from Glasgow rapper Louie (Bohemian Boombox- http://www.myspace.com/bohemianboombox) who was on fire tonight. He never missed a Big tajj beat and his lyrics were outstanding at times as Becca Starr added some lush R`n`B vocals to the proceedings. Highlights from this set was `Glasgow, I Love You Mate`, Bigg Taj's singing on a track and his own one man solo of Ol` Dirty Bastards `Baby I Gotcha Money`. Its hard to believe the majority of the set was without a backing track or an instrument in sight, Just sheer talent and the crowd loved every minute of it.
With the last couple of acts proving that the future of Scottish hip hop is in good hands it was time for Killa Kela to take to the stage and represent the south of the border. He rattled through a fantastic set of mostly new material with help from a magnificent Polish drummer who was thouroughly enjoying himself and some ace beats from his very own D.J. Not that Kila Kela necessarilly needs anyone else as he also showed Bigg Taj that he wasnt the only man in King Tuts who could hold his own when it came to beat-boxing.
At first it seemed Bigg taj may threaten to completely over-shadow him at the beginning but by the end of the night he left the whole crowd in no doubt over his high level of skilled beatboxing alonside his original style of singing and rapping. Its very hard to pigeon-hole this type of music which makes it all the more facinating for an open minded punter. It went from grime to techno to good old fashioned hip hop and the stage show was energetic and entertaining throughout. He's did tracks with Hadouken! before! This underground artist may well be overground in a matter of months. Watch this space.
Killa Kela http://www.myspace.com/killakela
Big Tajj http://www.myspace.com/biggtaj
Louie http://www.myspace.com/bohemianboombox
Stanley Odd http://www.myspace.com/stanleyodd
