Sorta-Concert Review

After many months of Chappelle deprivation (Unless you count the Oprah appearance) my wife and I checked out Dave Chappelle's Block Party last night. When it comes down to it this is a half-concert and nothing like the Chappelle Show on Comedy Central for reference. A good amount of people got up and left during this movie as I believe they were thinking this was going to be a full feature of sketch comedy instead of what it was...a fantastic concert movie with a little humor sprinkled in. I do not want to ruin the premise/kinda-sorta-plot for anyone who has yet to see this but let me at least pass along a mini review of the overall performances.

The performances which you would expect to be great do live up to these expectations and this list includes Kayne West, Common and Mos Def. Whether you like Kayne or not he is a showmen through and through and knows what people want to see and hear. Common and Mos Def show why they are where they are today in regards to being heads and shoulders above most lyricists. However, it's worth highlighting that the real man of the hour is Talib Kweli who is at the same time ferocious, passionate and in control while being supremely aware of where the crowd wants to be taken by him. I have always thought of Kweli as being one of the best and this goes along way to showing why he is for those not familiar with his work. The Roots also show why they are one of the best bands out today and it was great to see them with Big Daddy Kane. It is also worth noting that Questlove is still one of the most underrated, versatile and amazing drummers in music today and reminds me of a funkier Clayton Cameron.

their were also a few pleasant surprises as well for me regarding artists who I do not normally appreciate. The first one being Dead Prez as they bring the right song, message and intensity to this paticular show (Although I have several political issues with them which I will stay away from) especially considering that this is in the heart of Brooklyn. The next being Jill Scott and Erykah Badu both of whom my wife adores. Jill Scott is a force on stage but the subtleness of Badu in this performance is great to see as she is normally a little over the top for me. Their performance with the Roots is enough to make me want the soundtrack and as a causal fan of theirs this says a lot.

The last and most hyped performance is that of the Fugees. I know this is big deal for a lot of folks but this does close to nothing for me. I like Wyclef as a Fugee, I love his solo work and I feel that one day he might be looked upon as a latter-day Marley in regards to his influence and talent. I have no issue with Pras as he is a reliable sidekick and part time front man in his own right. However, when I see them perform together they seem to force and want you to focus your attention solely on Ms. Hill. By no means will I take a shot at her sizeable talent as she has a monster voice and presence but I can only imagine what her ego is like these days and it kills all the good vibes for me. Her ego is so apparent in this and all performances that she makes Kayne West, Jamie Foxx and 50 Cent seem like humble men in every way. It is hard to hear the songs they write come from someone who is as privileged, spoiled and purposefully sheltered as her. It is like listening to G.W. talk about the rough times that US troops go through fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. Sorry, I am not buying it and I still am not buying the Fugees as anything other than a manufactured group (Talented, but contrived) which has a place only on reality television.

And finally let me say that it is too bad that this was filmed in early 2005 as John Legend might have had a bigger role had this been done in late 2005 and that would have been greatly appreciated. If that would have been the case it also might have addressed a few other issues relating to Chappelle but you cannot get everything you want I guess. On the whole this is worth while to any music/hip hop fans and this will give you the right dose (albeit small) of Chappelle while wanting more immediately after walking out of the movie.