Lyrics Born Pops His Collar at Stern Grove

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Collar-Poppin' time: Lyrics Born

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Hats Off to LB

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The Bay Area's favorite alt.rap icon's concert Sunday afternoon was one for the ages--as well as one for people of all ages, races, ethnicities and social backgrounds. In an era where the national debate over race still simmers, the Asian-American rapper essentially rendered the subject a moot point with his funk-infused, over-the-top performance. Who cares what color a performer is, when they rock like that? And it was certainly eye-opening for many longtime Grove-goers who tend to be KKSF/S.F. Symphony types to witness not just a hip-hop show--quite possibly for the first time--but a hip-hop show awash with vitality and musical creativity, as Born's was.

From the minute the opening act, the Mighty Underdogs, took the stage, it was clear that the audience was in for a treat. Emcees Gift of Gab and Lateef seemed especially jazzed to be in front of a hometown crowd, and their rapid-fire display of lyrical finesse contrasted well with Headnodic's funky beats and keyboardist Kat Ouano's excellent organ, synth, and piano playing. This wasn't street rap--the kind you might hear blasting out of a scraper rolling down East 14th. St in Oakland--but hip-hop as high art.

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Here He Comes to Save the Day: The Mighty Underdog's Lateef

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Still, the tone was more inclusive than elitist, with plenty of arm-waving, call-and-response shouts, and general boogie-ing to be seen, from the front of the stage all the way back to the trees in the very rear of the concert bowl. Songs like "Ill Vacation" from the Underdogs' debut Droppin' Science Fiction went over well, and a high-water mark was reached during an inspired cover of Michael Jackson's "Wanna Be Starting Something."

A short break between sets didn't dissipate the energy at all; backed by a full live band--including guitarist B'nai Rebelfront and a very pregnant Joyo Velarde--Mr. LB showed, once again, why he's got to be considered one of the top live performers of his generation. His set was, simply put, flawless in every respect. He did songs both old ("Stop Complaining") and new ("I Like It, I Love It"), brought out Lateef for a Latyrx reunion on "Lady Don't Tek No," and encircled his lapel with his thumb and forefinger right on stage, as if to say, "I got this."

You know what? He did.

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Drum roll, please

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