Melbourne's RISING music festival is an undeniable showcase of all types of talent, including a night of iconic hip hop with the legends of '90s duo Black Star – Mos Def and Talib Kewli.
With Melbourne locals 1200 Techniques on support duties, this one-night-only performance (11 June) was a rare opportunity to witness two of hip hop's most influential artists share the stage, as an ode to their legacy and a celebration of their everlasting inspiration.As the crowd filled the giant industrial warehouse at PICA on a Wednesday night, looking around it appeared to be the dedicated hip hop fans that had come together for this monumental night of beats.
In a sea of hoodies and black leather jackets, the air filled with clouds of smoke and you could feel the buzzing crowd, excited to rediscover some of their favourite songs – there was a sense of reminiscing as the night was already humming.
To warm us up on this cold night, veterans 1200 Techniques hit the stage taking us back to some of their innovative and energetic performances at festivals like Big Day Out. With their blended sounds of hip hop and funky rock, they lifted the crowd's spirits, whacking smiles on our faces.
1200 Techniques - image © Danielle Annetts
The trio – DJ Peril, MC N'fa Forster-Jones and guitarist Kemstar – were having a blast as they spun some of their classic hits like 'Karma' and 'Flow Is Trouble'.
With wise words like "it's not where you're from, it's where you're at" grounding the crowd in between songs, these pioneers of the Australian hip hop scene had everyone in the warehouse feeling toasty and tuned for even more conscious hip hop.
While we waited for the stars of the night to grace us with their presence, DJ Big Von kept the warehouse warm with some classic hip hop tracks. As we bopped and sang along to the nostalgic collection, Big Von asked us all to "get out lights in the air", filling the space with beams of light.
Black Star - image © Danielle Annetts
It was finally time: enter the legends of Black Star. The duo from Brooklyn were back, starting their show with some of their newer tracks like 'You Already Knew' and 'Automatic'.
Backed by DJ Vaughn, yasiin bey (formerly known as Mos Def) and Talib Kweli lit up the stage with their conscious lyricism; it was philosophy in motion, being dropped bar by bar. Switching between dynamic duo songs and solo creations, the crowd at PICA were getting a true masterclass in mindful hip hop.
It was time to ride with 'Death Operator', as the crowd slow-clapped along building the soulful atmosphere further. As yasiin bey took a moment to amp us up more, saying "you just wait," before busting out 'The Boogie Man Song'.
Black Star - image © Danielle Annetts
The incisive lyrics and themes of activism were potent in each turn of phrase and choice of song, giving the crowd not only beats to bop their heads to, but also important societal issues and thoughts that spark personal introspection.
Keeping with the theme of empowerment, the duo kept with the funk with their hit 'Brown Skin Lady'. Encouraged to soul clap to the beat of the last few songs, the crowd was in awe of the crew onstage.
These legends of their craft had shown that no amount of time could alter their gravitas and groove. Bey went from blessings to beats, as he recited a prayer that gave me goosebumps before smoothly launching into the well-known song 'Definition' that exploded across the room as everyone in the crowd sang along: "One, two, three, it's kinda dangerous to be an MC."
Black Star - image © Danielle Annetts
As they finished the show, we heard from yasiin as he performed a heart-felt song dedicated to his mother 'Umi Says'. As the crowd echoed back "can I be cute forever" we soaked up the lyrics basked in intellect and revolutionary spirit.
With these soulful lyrics and a sprinkle of rose petals across the stage, the warehouse exploded with hands up like hallelujahs and heads bowed to the bass – you could sense the immense gratitude wash across the crowd.
An energy of satisfaction and wonder had filled the room as the crowd dispersed. This showcase of old-school textural sounds meeting interstellar consciousness had me in deep thought as I replayed the night's wordplay that was laced with wisdom as sharp as scripture.
Black Star - image © Danielle Annetts
As my good friend Lochie and I walked home and debriefed about our thoughts on the show, it was great to hear about the influence Black Star had on him and his brothers when they were growing up. It cemented the thought this iconic duo were and still are pillars in mindful hip hop.
PICA (Port Melbourne Industrial Centre for the Arts) is one of RISING's central hubs for music events during the city's winter celebration and showcase of contemporary art and music.
PICA's industrial space is widely adaptable and lends a very large space for a range of different shows. RISING continues until 15 June and is absolutely worth checking out for the experiences that happen across the city.
More photos from the concert.
