(Orlando FL) Snoop Lion -- or as I remember from when I first listened to him 20 years ago, SNOOP DOGG -- was UCF's Homecoming Artist for 2012. Although he may have gone Rastafarian as of late, his beats and image were honed in the 90's as he represented the West Coast rap scene, instigating a hip-hop feud with East Coast based artists, namely Sean 'Puff Daddy' Combs and The Notorious B.I.G. On this night, however, Snoop played to a loud arena-full of students in central Florida.
Snoop had 2 opening acts: Sammy Adams and Cold War Kids. I understood the choice for Sammy Adams: a young rapper from Boston MA. I got that. With Sammy Adams there were actually audience members singing along to his 'Driving Me Crazy' and 'Finally Found You' hits.
What I didn't understand was the selection of Cold War Kids. In their own right Cold War Kids sounded great together and probably would have rocked this very same arena on any other given night. However, for this indie rock band out of California, most of the participating audience tonight had their ears tuned and ready for old-school rap music, with maybe a touch of the Jamaican influence, so to hear heavy metal guitars blaring over the speakers, well let's just say it was one of the longest, most uncomfortable opening acts I've ever witnessed.
Cold War Kids departed the stage after just a few songs. If hey had a set minimum, I'd be surprised if they even hit that number because they looked like they were itching to get out of there in a hurry. They made no eye contact with the audience. It seemed that the only thing that kept them there was some legally-binding contract.
With Cold War out, we now eagerly awaited Snoop's arrival. And then we waited with a little less enthusiasm. 30 minutes had elapsed. Then it became 45 minutes. We were now approaching 1 hour. What the heck? Where's Snoop?
And then that's when the lights when out. And then that's when the loudest bass note I've ever heard in my life tore through the speakers and challenged the integrity of just how strong the arena and its foundation were. The bass was amazing. I've never felt anything that powerful or intense. Imagine if a rocketship had to leave earth, and as it began its liftoff, there was actually a sound powerful enough to make the astronauts turn their heads and ask what the sound was.
Snoop came up onstage and showed everyone how old-school rap was meant to be. He hit all of his old songs, walking the stage like only a true gangsta' should. If ever there was 'swag' Snoop had it on stage.
His was one of the best shows I'd ever watched. His raps have, and likely will, continue to push the boundaries of time. Tonight, East Coast and West Coast were united in Orlando.
Snoop had 2 opening acts: Sammy Adams and Cold War Kids. I understood the choice for Sammy Adams: a young rapper from Boston MA. I got that. With Sammy Adams there were actually audience members singing along to his 'Driving Me Crazy' and 'Finally Found You' hits.
What I didn't understand was the selection of Cold War Kids. In their own right Cold War Kids sounded great together and probably would have rocked this very same arena on any other given night. However, for this indie rock band out of California, most of the participating audience tonight had their ears tuned and ready for old-school rap music, with maybe a touch of the Jamaican influence, so to hear heavy metal guitars blaring over the speakers, well let's just say it was one of the longest, most uncomfortable opening acts I've ever witnessed.
Cold War Kids departed the stage after just a few songs. If hey had a set minimum, I'd be surprised if they even hit that number because they looked like they were itching to get out of there in a hurry. They made no eye contact with the audience. It seemed that the only thing that kept them there was some legally-binding contract.
With Cold War out, we now eagerly awaited Snoop's arrival. And then we waited with a little less enthusiasm. 30 minutes had elapsed. Then it became 45 minutes. We were now approaching 1 hour. What the heck? Where's Snoop?
And then that's when the lights when out. And then that's when the loudest bass note I've ever heard in my life tore through the speakers and challenged the integrity of just how strong the arena and its foundation were. The bass was amazing. I've never felt anything that powerful or intense. Imagine if a rocketship had to leave earth, and as it began its liftoff, there was actually a sound powerful enough to make the astronauts turn their heads and ask what the sound was.
Snoop came up onstage and showed everyone how old-school rap was meant to be. He hit all of his old songs, walking the stage like only a true gangsta' should. If ever there was 'swag' Snoop had it on stage.
His was one of the best shows I'd ever watched. His raps have, and likely will, continue to push the boundaries of time. Tonight, East Coast and West Coast were united in Orlando.
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