N.E.R.D. tore up the Highline Ballroom Tuesday, giving their fans something to jump, scream, shout and throw bows for, with an opening that could command a headline by Pac Div. I didn’t know much about the latter’s music, but after seeing Pac Div perform, I must say I am highly impressed!
N.E.R.D. didn’t disappoint at the event sponsored by Coors Light and their search for “The Coldest MC.”
Cypha Sounds and Peter Rosenberg of Hot 97 hosted the concert. The winner started off the show for the audience, featuring models who passed out Coors in cups with DJ Create doing on the one’s and two’s; bumping old school and new tunes that kept lips moving in between acts.
One thing that stuck out to me was how an upcoming artist goes through difficulties performing in front of a crowd that doesn’t really know him. The Coors Light ‘Coldest MC’, Mojeed Amushan, had to do just that. One of the Coors models was digging, but still, once he left, and a Hov song came on, the entire crowds’ energy just changed completely.
In a better light, it was nice to see people remembering B.I.G.’s lyrics. Pac Div really blew me away—maybe more than N.E.R.D., probably because I expected those guys to kill it (which they did). But Pac Div, the three young artists Hip-Hoppers from Cali that they are, reminded me of the old school rap music and performances, with gallons of energetics. I do dare say that they remind me of a Tribe Called Quest, but that’s just my judgment.
What makes them click is that they are hyper, and fun. No one is calm! All three of them move at the same speed, with great hooks, and everyone has a verse on a track. The crowd swayed to the smooth songs and got buck to the ignorant ones. All in all, great performance!
As far as N.E.R.D. goes, they are all out Rock stars. You can tell that Pharrell, through his performance, enjoys performing on stage almost, if not more than he enjoys anything else. He is exuberant; leaving his tailored suits at the door in exchange for a t-shirt, jeans, and a colorful accessory in his left back pocket. No Luther Vandross, but his harmonies and harmonizing more than suffice 100 times over. He, and only he, can hit the high notes Pharrell does.
Chad is a quiet character, focusing on the production in the background while Shay Haley backed up Pharrell’s vocals and filled in his choruses.
Their versatility was incredible; in each of their tracks the tempos change more than Gaga’s award show wardrobes. From mellows to rocky road rock guitars, drums and cymbals. At a show, N.E.R.D. is no slouch baby.
I’m sorry for you missed these acts, but be sure to catch them when they roll into your city.
Images by Christian Ortiz for Parlé Magazine
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