SPILL LIVE REVIEW: PARKJAM HIP HOP NIGHT FT. ICE CUBE, REDMAN & METHOD MAN, SNOTTY NOSE REZ KIDS, MAESTRO FRESH WES & HAVIAH MIGHTY @ LONDON MUSIC HALL, LONDON (ON)

PARKJAM HIP HOP NIGHT FT. ICE CUBE, REDMAN & METHOD MAN, SNOTTY NOSE REZ KIDS, MAESTRO FRESH WES & HAVIAH MIGHTY

@ LONDON MUSIC HALL, LONDON (ON)

SEPTEMBER 12, 2019

Parkjam Hip Hop Night was a celebration of boombap music from the ‘90s. It was also host to some exciting up-and-comers from Canada, specifically Haviah Mighty and Snotty Nose Rez kids, who are both nominated for a PolarisMusic Prize this year.

Haviah Mighty was the first to perform. The Brampton artist is known for her hardheaded lyrics and exciting stage presence. She quickly warmed up the crowd with “Blame” from her debut album 13^th Floor.

Although it was still early in the afternoon, Haviah Mighty really brought the power to Parkjam.

Snotty Nose Rez Kids are an indigenous hip hop group composed of Young D and Yung Trybez. The duo has been on a roll lately, having released three albums since 2017. Their trap-inspired music is catchy and filled with themes of protest. A highlight during their performance was the song “Boujie Natives:”The rappers stuck around after the show and took plenty of pictures with their fans.

Maestro Fresh Wes has been a staple in Canadian hip hop since the late ‘80s. He played his classic hits such as “Let Your Backbone Slide” and “I Know Your Mom,” which he entertainingly performed acapella. Method Man and Redman also brought out the throwbacks, playing tracks off of their collaborative albums Blackout!and Blackout! 2.

Ice Cube took the stage shortly after sundown. While it has been over 30 years since he first broke onto the hip hop scene, the rapper sounded fresher than ever. He played classic songs spanning his career such as “No Vaseline” and “Gangsta Rap Made Me Do It”.

Smoke clouds filled the air while the L.A. native rapped over funky West Coast bass lines. “Did you know the new white was orange/Boy, you’re showing your horns/They’re tryin’ to replace my halo with thorns,” he flowed on the song “Arrest the President.” He ended his set with his highest-charting single, and one of the most classic hip hop songs of all time, “It Was A Good Day.”

(Photography by Cory Barter)

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