Monday, June 18, 2007

Rapping about the 813

Posted by Wade Tatangelo on Mon, Jun 18, 2007 at 8:05 PM

Here's my concert review that will run in the upcoming edition of CL.

Photo of Jersey by Shanna Gillette.

Jersey w/Larcen/Infarell/Preme/DJ Ranmecca/Kayess, Fri. June 15, Crowbar, Ybor City.

When it comes to rap, Miami’s got the rep. And everyone knows that Atlanta has it big time. Tampa’s never boasted much of a hip-hop scene — at least not in the eyes of the New York/L.A.-based music industry. That hasn’t stopped nine local artists calling themselves the Umbrella Corporation from trying to change all that.

Several members of the crew, including the night’s headliner, Jersey, performed last Friday at Crowbar in Ybor City, not the typical venue for their brand of thug rap. In terms of showmanship and execution, each man proved capable. However, the subject matter rarely veered from the hardcore genre’s stock themes — with threats of bodily harm wearing thin by night’s end.

When Jersey finally arrived on stage around 1 a.m., he immediately alerted audience members that he was not a man to be messed with. The Tampa (by way of the Garden State) rapper who calls himself the “King of the 813,” blasted away with the requisite boasts and taunts. “Got a problem, nigga?” he snarled. “Then bust a move.”

Ominous beats — heavy and sparse — reinforced the menacing message. Jersey cautioned that anyone stepping to him would be sent home in a “closed casket.” The gangsta act, while convincing on some level, was not exactly terrifying — or particularly insightful. But Jersey did exude a magnetism that made it hard to turn away from his performance.

For the most part, he delivered his rhymes with panache, usually giving them a melodic lilt that was easy on the ears — even when issuing threats. There’s a gravel in his voice that he uses judiciously to accentuate certain zingers and emotive confessions. Jersey has the kind of distinctive voice that would stand out on the radio.

The crowd was light last Friday, with only about 50 people inside the 300-capacity club. But Jersey brought most of the attendees to the front of the stage with an unrelenting performance that found him joined by fellow Umbrella crew members, most notably Larcen, who jolted the crowd with an intense set of his own. Jersey alternated between gangsta platitudes and bare-bones reflections that proved more compelling than anything that transpired throughout the evening.

About halfway into his set, Jersey told the DJ to kill the backing music. The artist then rapped a cappella, sounding like a man pleading his case to St. Peter at the gates of heaven. All the gangster trappings were gone. Jersey rhymed about wearing a “fresh white T” not because it was hip, but because it was the only thing he could afford. He fretted about paying the rent and being able to keep up appearances. The rapper excised his demons in a manner that was at once riveting and real. It’s a direction I would like see Jersey and his fellow crew members explore further.

Tags:

Comments (8)

Showing 1-8 of 8

Add a comment

the show was crack Larcen is off the chain. A real fresh flow to him, a good show all round people if you like hip hop you need to see Larcen rap this guy a breath of fresh air.

report   
Posted by justin hubbard on September 17, 2007 at 4:12 PM

We have been banned and have a considerable amount of money owed to us. http://www.anfworld.com/abercrombie-and-fitch-jeans.html http://www.anfworld.com/ruehl-no-925.html

report   
Posted by nike on August 31, 2010 at 10:36 PM

It is real that we really do not know what we’ve acquired right until we shed it, but it is also real that we do not know what we’ve been missing before it arrives. Do you assume so? Posed By Jordan Retro 8

report   
Posted by Jordan Retro 8 on September 15, 2010 at 9:51 PM

Pandora Jewelry, Pandora Bracelets, Pandora Beads, pandora DIY on sale Up to 75% OFF, Free Shipping WorldWide.

report   
Posted by pandora18 on September 17, 2010 at 4:41 AM

Effectively, this can be my initially have a look at for your blog page! We really are a group of volunteers and beginning a whole new initiative in the neighborhood while in the identical area of interest. Your blog page supplied us priceless information and facts to do the trick on. You have got executed a marvellous position! Posed By Jordan 5

report   
Posted by Jordan 5 on October 25, 2010 at 1:01 AM

The way of Earth is enlightening. I am one with the Earth. The Earth and myself are one mind. Not I but we - may it be fulfilled! May my life be the sacred performance of the art of universal unification. May Earth be realized as a work of art. pandora pandora schmuck pandora

report   
Posted by pandora on November 1, 2010 at 8:58 PM

The information you posted about louis vuitton handbags is so useful, I am expecting for your next post. Nice articles, but I am not clear about the point you mentioned about how to distinguish fake and real louis vuitton handbags.

report   
Posted by cheap gucci shoes on November 11, 2010 at 2:18 AM

DllErrorsFix is an dll errors fix tool.DllErrorsFix can repair and fix dll errors easy, safe and fast. DllErrorsFix will not collect or use any information about the visitors to the Web Site and your visit to the Web Site is anonymous.

report   
Posted by Dll Errors on January 12, 2011 at 11:13 PM
Subscribe to this thread:
Showing 1-8 of 8

Add a comment

Latest in Tampa Calling

Search Events

Recent Comments

© 2012 SouthComm, Inc.