OBK CHANNEL

Category: Music

  • Rhye brings their spin of R&B to soldout 9:30 Club in Washington DC (review)

    When it comes to the popular R&B artists out of Canada, Toronto’s Milosh may not be high on the popularity radar however with his vocal abilities he should not be left of the most talented list.

    Monday night I found myself – Only Black Kid – in 9:30 Club with a largely white audience as Milosh’s R&B musical project, Rhye, made their way to Washington D.C. in part of their three-country tour.

    A visual that Rhye keep mysterious throughout the show, the group opened up their set performing an interpolation of debut LP record “3 Days.” Forcing the music out in front of the six-piece band’s physical presence, Rhye hid behind a gloomy purple lighted shadow, that remained dark during the group’s hour-long setlist.

    Rhye’s setlist included a balance of slow-tempo records – “Major Minor Love,” “Stay Safe” and “Waste” – that allowed couples to get mushy and be romantic in the packed crowd, and with a few key upbeat records – “Open” and “Last Dance.- the band provided the ambience for patrons to hold hands and dance the night away.

    Milosh’s vocal ability was at peak during Rhye’s acoustic guitar performance of “Song For You.” With the band giving Milosh space to shine, one could hear the surge of emotion in the singer’s voice, resembling an energy and sound to Sade’s “Love Deluxe.”

    The balance of uptempo and slow-tempo records allowed Rhye to keep control of the audience, however Milosh’s subtle acknowledgment of the crowd made the show very impersonal; hearing only from Milosh when he requested for two photographers to stop their conversation in the photo pit and when he gave a very bland story of the last time he performed in the city and how it was cold outside midwinter.

    While we should not attempt to box ideas into a single category, and rather enjoy them at face value, it is difficult not to consider the majority of what Rhye was performing as soft rock. At times, paying no homage to the general conscious of the R&B genre and its originators, Rhye’s sound during cuts from their latest album “Blood” lacked substance, and exemplified an artist attempting to remain safe while gentrifying sexy soulful singing and a strong backbeat to fit a fanbase moved by internet-driven trends. An artist attempting to recreate black music for people who shop at Whole Foods.

    By OBK

  • JID, EARTHGANG WASHINGTON, DC (VIDEO)

  • George Clinton, The Parliament Funkadelic at Howard Theatre (review, photos)

    Accompanied by the Parliament Funkadelic, George Clinton made his way to The Howard Theatre for a mature party that the old-school music crowd truly enjoyed.

    While George Clinton is old enough to be my grandfather, I don’t think I would be safe leaving my girlfriend around the spirited 76-year-old at the family picnic.

    At least not if I expected her to feel about me the same way and not be drawn to him.

    Accompanied by the Parliament Funkadelic, George Clinton made his way to The Howard Theatre for a mature party that the old-school music crowd truly enjoyed.

    Performing for more than two hours, Mr. Clinton used his legacy and his household name to help introduce a new era of talent and sound.

    Hip to what’s going on today, Mr. Clinton took the time out during his show to pay homage to today’s hip-hop culture, covering Big Sean’s “IDFWU” and Cardi B’s “Bodak Yellow.” Moving with rhythm to the beat alongside the younger generation members of the Parliament Funkadelic, Mr. Clinton went deep into his dance bag, showing he was still very agile and broke out into the “Swag Surfin’” dance move.

    Serving as a coach, Mr. Clinton allowed the members of the Parliament Funkadelic to run the show as he played hyped man.

    While the newer generation members in the group got the party going, the elder estates provided the highlights of the night. 

    Greg Thomas provided the night with multiple saxophone solos, including a rendition of  “The Pink Panther Theme Song.” Guitarist Dewayne “Blackbyrd” Knight proved to be the real MVP. Through his multiple solos, Mr. Knight helped show that while Parliament Funkadelic is evolving with the times and looking to stay relevant in a new cultural climate, the classical funk vibes will not die in the process. A great illustration of what the night had to offer.

    By OBK

  • AMINÉ TOUR FOR YOU AT HOWARD THEATRE (VIDEO)

  • Third Eye Blind celebrates 20th year anniversary with ‘Fall of the Summer Gods’ tour at Fillmore Silver Spring (review, photos, video)

    On tour celebrating the 20th anniversary of their self-titled debut album, Third Eye Blind made their way to the Fillmore Silver Spring for “Fall of the Summer Gods” tour.

    By OBK

    SILVER SPRING, MARYLAND —

    When you are 20 years into the game you can do what you want!

    “We were only supposed to tour Europe. We should be in the studio right now,” Stephan Jenkins said during Third Eye Blind’s sold out “Fall of the Summer Gods” tour stop at The Fillmore Silver Spring Tuesday night.

    On tour celebrating the 20th anniversary of their self-titled debut album, Third Eye Blind performed newer material as well as their beloved past tracks which helped make the 90’s awesome.

    Lead by 52-year-old lead signer Mr. Jenkins, the five-piece band, which homes two original members, got the night going with the first track of Third Eye Blind: Losing a Whole Year, with the band lit in minimum light, allowing fans to focus on lyrics, vocal and instrumental ability.

    Third Eye Blind at Filmore Silver Spring

    Hiding within the stage set; the group followed up with “Red Star,” “Narcolepsy,” and “Faster” before beaming the stage and audience with blue smoke lights and performing “Wounded” and “1000 Julys.”

    A testament to how the group has managed to create timeless music and stay relevant with newer music showed with the diverse age range of ticket holders, expanding more than three generations of listeners.

    While the first side of the debut project was the clear highlights of the night, Mr. Jenkins thanked the audience for enjoying the band as a whole and not just their big hits, pulling songs from their 2016 project “We Are Drugs” and their 2015 album “Dopamine.

    “If you’re here now, that means you are here because you love us.  Thank you for loving us,” said Mr. Jenkins during the extended instrumental interlude of “Semi-Charmed Life,” which transitioned the audience from head nodding into a rhythmic sing-along. ” I mean what I’m saying right now. This is the fall tour. We are not even supposed to be on tour this fall. We are not even supposed to be here right now. This is all just a gift, for us.”

    A nostalgic gift that Third Eye Blind has earned for providing the soundtrack to the party.

    The Setlist

    “Losing A Whole Year”

    “Red Star”

    “Narcolepsy”

    “Faster”

    “Wounded”

    “1000 Julys”

    “Semi-Charmed Life”

    “Company of Strangers”

    “Dopamine”

    “Graduate”

    “Back to Zero”

    “London”

    “Blinded”

    “Motorcycle” (Acoustic)

    “Crystal Baller” (Acoustic)

    “Jumper” (Acoustic)

    “Never Let You Go”

    “God of Wine

  • Concert review: Chris Brown brings ‘One Hell of a Night’ tour to MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre

    Concert review: Chris Brown brings ‘One Hell of a Night’ tour to MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre

    Watching clips of Chris Brown dance  on Instagram is one thing but seeing it live up close and personal is another. The 26-year-old singer-songwriter made his way to Tampa Friday night, when he brought his star studded “One Hell of a Tour” to a rainy MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre where he hosted an ultra lit party featuring a vast amount of special guest.

    Brown’s vocals are highly underrated and after a highly uptempo start to his set list 14,000 screaming Team Breezy fans got to experience the Virginia native’s diversity.

    While at times it seemed as if Brown was holding back on stage and not giving it his all during the dancing choreography (based on performances I have watched of his at music awards) it still amazes me how he can out perform more than 90 percent of artist out touring.

    Do to bad timing and failure to check my email in time, I missed the opening act sets from rappers Kid Ink, Fetty Wap and Omarion. Luckily, Brown invited Fetty Wap and Kid Ink back on stage to join him on stage during his set to perform alongside him and his “special guest” French Montana.

    By the end of the night, Brown seemed to get lost in the mix just enjoying the vibe, as he and all the supporting acts shared the stage creating an ultra lit environment.

    On top of improving his dancing and singing skills over the years, Brown had drastically enhanced ability to rhyme over beats, whether or not he is writing the verses himself. Closing the night out with French Montana’s new single “Moses,” alongside Atlanta rap group The Migos, you could sense the feeling that Brown was more excited to give his friends a large platform to showcase their skills rather than be greedy, hog the spotlight himself and use the tour as a way to prepare for an upcoming release of his own.

    With all the things that he has been through in the past, and his current custody battle situation, it’s good to see that he has an outlet to help him take his mind off things. Even if it is only for One Hell of a Night.

  • Photos: Big Sean at Venue 578

    Photos: Big Sean at Venue 578

  • Concert Review: Big Sean hits Orlando for tour in support of ‘Dark Sky Paradise’

    Concert Review: Big Sean hits Orlando for tour in support of ‘Dark Sky Paradise’

    Big Sean released his third studio album Dark Sky Paradise in late February, and now he has embarked on a spring tour to support the LP.

    The Detroit rapper made his way to Orlando Sunday night, for a show at Venue 578 (formerly Firestone Live). Making a grand entrance, Big Sean started the night off with a performance of “Paradise,” standing atop of his rectangular LED screen which housed his DJ, DJ Mo Beatz, and two-piece band, in the back, and played visual on throughout the show in the front.

    Big Sean, who will be hitting amphitheaters this summer with J. Cole, treated the small downtown venue as if he was performing in a stadium arena. The “Blessings” rapper was full of charisma and had a stage presence that could not go unnoticed. While his array of lights, fog machines and special effects helped illuminate the stage, at times it could be hard to see the rapper. During Big Sean’s first three songs it was difficult to see the artist, as the overuse of the fog machine blurred visibility.

    Big Sean performed cuts from his latest album, including “All Your Fault,” “IDFWU,” and “Win Some, Lose Some.” The show also helped highlight how many big name records Sean has been featured on, performing his verses from “Mercy,” “Clique,” “I Don’t Like” and Wiz Khalifa’s “Gang Bang.” After the whole venue started chanting encore, Big Sean came back out to perform “Too Fake” for the real OG fans.

  • Concert review: Usher at Amway Center

    Concert review: Usher at Amway Center

    Usher performing at “URX Tour,” in Orlando, Florida on Friday, Dec. 12. (OBK STAFF)

    By OBK STAFF

    Usher Raymond in concert may be the closest thing my generation and younger gets to seeing an all around performance similar to that of the late great Michael Jackson, and on Friday night the R&B star brought his “UR Experience Tour” to Amway Center in Orlando, Florida.

    No, the “UR Experience Tour” is hardly any rendition of what the seasoned artist will display on his eighth studio album “UR,” which has been delayed and still has no release date. Instead the show was to display how the 36-year-old singer has contributed greatness to multiple genres throughout his 20-plus years in the music industry.

    After a blend of “My Way” over Drake’s “0 to 100” — which gave his younger fans a chance to still vibe whether or not they knew the lyrics because they were familiar to the beat — Usher broke out into his first “freestyle” dance session of the show. He would eventually be joined by eight dancers, who he did not mind sharing the spotlight with.

    It’s has become extremely rare these days for artist to showcase the art of dance in their performance and let their backing group get solo; so when Usher invited the audience into his past and focused on a part of culture that was deep in his roots it was hard not to be appreciative. It also helped raise the question of would him and his team be able to serve Chris Brown and his crew in a dance battle.

    He would even reference the choreography from his “You Make Me Wanna” music video and provide a hidden treasure to those truly paying attention

    Mr. U-s-h-e-r didn’t try to reinvent the wheel. The 90 minute set touched multiple areas of the veteran artist song catalog, giving fans all the hits they wanted to hear but in a way he needed them to be heard.

    Pop singles like “OMG” and “Without You” were flooded with stage antics, fireworks, flashing lights and a ton of pyrotechnics to  help show why Usher has been able to crossover to multiple genres and gain international success. These tracks served as an opportunity for everyone to vibe together.

    Meanwhile songs like “Confessions Part 1” and “Let it Burn,” which were song acoustically gave fans the opportunity to sing along. Maybe it’s just me, but it’s amazing that both those songs, and a song like “Climax,” which talks about the complications of a relationship, provided the perfect opportunity for all few guys in in attendance a reason to be hugged up with their ladies.

    Without warning, Usher’s long time friend and producer Jermaine Dupri joined him on stage and performed an extensive set of older work from the artist that his day one fans, or “OG fans,” what JD called them, would enjoy. Many of the songs dated back to as far as Usher’s debut album “My Way” and sophomore follow-up “8701.” Jermaine Dupri was 100 percent accurate when he said that “we could do this all night,” because their brief mini set did not even scratch the surface of records they did together.

  • Photos: Usher’s URX Tour

    Photos: Usher’s URX Tour