There’s a certain kind of heat that surrounds the arrival of music royalty. But besides history, it looks like the cosmos was lining up behind the recent appearance of conscious-rap king KRS-One (Sep. 4, Backbooth). The venue was maxed, the crowd was abuzz and the A/C was failing, all in the apex of an Orlando summer. Yeah, it was raw.
But despite conditions meant only for fighters cutting mad weight, these people came to party. Just ask the dance circle that broke out by the bathroom line. Appropriate to the headliner, it was a tradition-minded hip-hop show that celebrated the elements, involving a showcase of rapping, spinning (KRS’ son DJ Predator Prime), beatboxing (local beatboxer Rubox) and an open call for B-boys in the house to show their shit onstage right before the “Teacher” stepped up.
Story of You Media
Rubox at Backbooth
Story of You Media
B-boy at Backbooth
A true man of the people, KRS-One’s entrance was a wade right through the crowd to the stage. Once up there, he soundchecked with a freestyle that was searing enough to ignite the gathering, showcasing his razor lyricism on the fly. From then on, he lifted the club and revealed the gulf in skill, command and gravity between all the wannabes and a real master.
Story of You Media
KRS-One at Backbooth
Story of You Media
KRS-One at Backbooth
Ain’t nothing quite like being in the same room as a legend. A boss like this turns a room into a powder keg of possibility, like anything is possible at any minute. And KRS-One was, without a blink or pause, one of the greatest rap presences I’ve ever been among. Like he went in, only magnified by the fever pitch of the shared experience, he went out by descending into the crowd and crowning the show with a mass, sweaty populist photo op.
We welcome readers to submit letters regarding articles and content in Orlando Weekly. Letters should be a minimum of 150 words, refer to content that has appeared on Orlando Weekly, and must include the writer's full name, address, and phone number for verification purposes. No attachments will be considered. Writers of letters selected for publication will be notified via email. Letters may be edited and shortened for space.
Orlando Weekly works for you, and your support is essential.
Our small but mighty local team works tirelessly to bring you high-quality, uncensored news and cultural coverage of Central Florida.
Unlike many newspapers, ours is free – and we'd like to keep it that way, because we believe, now more than ever, everyone deserves access to accurate, independent coverage of their community.
Whether it's a one-time acknowledgement of this article or an ongoing pledge, your support helps keep Orlando’s true free press free.