Re: black eyed peas

Elson Trinidad (elson@westworld.com)
Sun, 05 Jul 1998 13:50:31 -0700


At 10:41 PM 7/4/98 -0700, caleb wrote:
i got an advance copy, and i think it's really good. there's a lot to like on the disc...good grooves and some good skills on the mic. they's definitely on the positive tip (and that's interesting since they're on interscope - i hope they get the promtional support they deserve) but there aren't too amny surprises here, just solid work...dig on ozomotli too, that disc smokes!!!! imo, anyway. has anyone seen the bep live show??? la peeps? c.

I have seen the Peas live. They *are* live. Don't sleep on it when they come round. They will be part of the "Smokin Grooves" tour this summer. I think their live show is rather innovative for a hip-hop show; they have a 4-piece live band in addition to the 3 MCs, and many compare them to the Roots, but I think that's where the similarities end  (guitar plays a prominent role in some of the music, and the Roots don't have a guitarist).
Also, their live sound is more hard-edged than on the recordings.
The interplay between the MCs is amazing (their trademark is pretending to fight each other for the mic), as with the musicians. Unlike most hip-hop groups, they didn't get attention through talent shows or hookups with the big rap producer/label owner machines, instead they worked the L.A. club circuit like a rock band and gained a massive following that way to the point where the labels couldn't ignore them (ironically, they were initially rejected by all the labels due to their being "different".)

Speaking of Ozomatli, I've seen them live, too, also an amazing show.

Elson
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