One of my new years resolutions, from a year ago, was to tape more rap/hip shows. That resolution fared only slightly better than my resolution to quit smoking. I made it out to 112 shows this past year and only six of them had rap/hip hop acts. Five percent. My new years resolution this year is go to, at least, twice the number of rap/hip hop shows as I went last year…more, if I tape more than 112 shows in ‘09 (I’ve increased my taping output each year).

I’ve been taping four years and this was my first New Year’s Eve show to tape. There have been some decent options in years past, but nothing really stood out for me to want to go. Until this year.

I went to this NYE show at Sonar with the total expectation that I was NOT going to be taping the Wu-Tang Clan (by the time I got inside the venue, I was still debating with myself whether I would even stay to see the Wu-Tang set). It was pure luck that I was able to stay for the Wu-Tang Clan at all.

I’ve wanted to tape Brown Fish and Salem & The Music Lovers for a couple of years, it just never materialized. I’d seen Ogun briefly this year when he played a small show to support the release of The Wire: Beyond Hamsterdam, and I liked it enough to want to see him again. But it was Skarr Akbar that sealed the deal for me, arguably the best MC in Baltimore (and my personal fave). I wish it had been a longer set (it’s only 16:39), but I’m glad I made it out. It was a good way to break in the new year.

Skarr Akbar
Sonar-Main
Baltimore, MD
December 31, 2008

Source: Peluso CEMC6/ck41(hypercard)>PS-2>AD-20>NJB3
Transfer: NJB3>PC>SF-7>Wav>FLAC
Taper: Jeff Mewbourn (jm292@yahoo.com)

1. Intro
2. No Introduction
3. Hustla
4. Lights Camera Action
5. I’m Bad
6. Da Bizness
7. Scholarship Chick
8. I Am
9. Bang

Notes:
Lineup: Sonny Brown>Brown Fish>Kage>Ogun>
Skarr Akbar>Saleem & The Music Lovers>Ice Water>Wu-Tang Clan
Sound: Jamo Rephann
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