Live: South Delhi Block Party Part 2 @ Barcode, New Delhi

First off, we give major props to Delhi based label and promoters Aftershock International for attempting to import the ‘block party’ vibe to India. Next, we big it up for the crew’s Iraqi DJ MoCity. MoCity’s affable demeanor and streetwise fashion sense graciously overcame the event’s technical difficulties and unforeseen lineup changes, preventing the party from degenerating into a disorganized fiasco.

Despite the ‘block party’ theme, the venue was not exactly an open street with a bunch of speakers on the back of a pick-up truck. The otherwise multifaceted Barcode, located in the hip Priya cinema area of posh Vasant Vihar, is a gigantic five-floor mega-disco with a very commercial atmosphere. Aesthetic nitpicking aside, what Barcode lacked most for this event: was a stage. Performers cramped into the small, narrow DJ booth while the audience huddled around the banisters, straining to get a view.

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Although the enthusiasm was palpable, most of the MCs – Risk, Shaleen, Vivan, Ricky Ricardo and Karma & Po-Boy – failed to demonstrate the skills that pay the bills. Prattling off uninspired “Yo yo yo me and my homies” gibberish and forced “Free Tibet” sloganeering, most of the vocal talent bordered on open-mic/rap karaoke. However, I will acknowledge that at least Aftershock founder Risk’s brutish Biggie-meets-Dr. Dre routine and Shaleen’s cringe-worthy nasal imitation of Cypress Hill’s B-Real were aiming for something. But as the saying goes, whack MCs are a dime a dozen.

Occasionally though, a rare, unpolished gem is brought into the light. On this occasion, the “illmatic” ebb and impeccable flow of Tripura native B.K. was undoubtedly the reflection of a diamond in the rough. This Northeastern Indian version of Nas sped along on his locomotive lyrics, dipping and rising over tracks like a Royal Enfield Bullet meandering over the hilly terrain of B.K.’s homeland. Sadly, his partner in rhyme, Crost, couldn’t keep pace. I dare suggest that B.K. consider ditching his piggybacking compadre for a solo career. It isn’t that Crost is bad; it’s that B.K. is so much better! Eschewing the faux bravado and “gangsta” attitude of his peers, B.K. actually connected with the audience. Lines like “I play video games to maintain my aim” and boasts like “In the club, chicks wanna come and dance around me” attracted hoots and howls from boys and girls alike.

No surprise, however, was Delhi Sultanate’s platinum performance. I must hereby confess that I have seen this man perform four times in the last six months, and each time the audience response has been phenomenal. A reggae dancehall MC with the vocabulary of a slam poet and the soul of a social activist, Sultanate sings in a rumbling baritone, using a hybrid lingo that would make the godfather of desi hip hop, Apache Indian, proud. To quote: “Whether you are on the street hustling for roti and paani/Or you are swimming in money and women like Anil Ambani.” A versatile performer, on this night Sultanate was backed by a mash-up of dark, grimey dubstep, languid reggae riddims and electro crunk. However, I believe the best parts of Sultanate’s sets are when he abandons the music, and spits ‘a cappella’ on hot topics like police racketeering and political corruption. I would be concerned for his safety, if it weren’t for the growing ranks of Sultanate’s supporters.

Following up the Indian Chuck D was the Tanzanian Tony! Toni! Toné! The peppy posse of Princy & Tha Crew and their colorful clothes could have fit in perfectly at a Cool Kids party in Chicago. However, their sound was more Akon and T-Pain than Kanye West or Lupe Fiasco. Nonetheless, the audience loved the soulful singing of the smooth sailing soprano over the booming soca and reggaeton beats, interspersed by his buddies’ barely intelligible raps. Relieved from the more aggressive character of the preceding acts, hips in the audience started to sway and sashay.

In the end, the best part about the show was that no matter which navigational direction the MC called out – “south Delhi”, “west side”, “north east”, and so on – everybody cheered. Thus, I shall forgive the CD-DJ scratching and monkey-scribbled tableaus passing for graffiti. South Delhi Block Party Part 2 was a valiant effort that needs to continue because without such a forum, the talent pool of MCs and DJs and producers here won’t improve and develop. Not to mention that fans of real hip hop in Delhi would have one less spot to sip on gin and juice, laid back.

Indiecision: B-

Posted (and pictures) by Suhrid Manchanda