After navigating my way past an over-zealous security chappy, I managed to get into the O2 Academy to witness a fitting tribute to the late, Kate Garrett – aka Mama G. Kate, a talented songsmith, started the Young Women’s Music Project, which now has Zahra Tehrani at the helm.
Tonight’s co-promotion – by Zahra’s BG Records and Ark-T, where the YWMP is based – showcased some of the best local urban acts, plus the ‘one night only’ return of BabyGravy. Despite still fuming from my encounter with security, and having to overcome the disappointment of hearing that the talented indie/rock/pop act The Vibe were not performing, I nevertheless soldiered on (like the true professional I am).
I found myself a spot at the back of the venue, and with notebook in hand, and the eclectic selection of the The Vibe, who were on DJ duties, soothed my troubled soul. I waited for the show to begin. First up was Blueprint, who is part of the Blackbird Leys-based MC crew G Block. From the off Blueprint’s confident, strong vocals over solid hip-hop and grime beats got the crowds attention. Stalking the stage and displaying an impressive, switched-up flow, Blueprint proved a strong opener. Possibly too strong, as Sudanese hip hop/R&B crew SUD, although competent and engaging, were not quite distinctive enough, and I found my attention wandering at times throughout their set. Still, there was enough talent and enthusiasm on display to keep the crowd rocking. Special mention and props to Islam, whose beautiful neo-soul vocals captivated the crowd, at times evoking the styling of Jill Scott or Erykah Badu.
With hardly a pause it was straight onto a professional performance by the aptly named Mizz Lyrical, whose witty, feminist girl power lyrics, over a mixture of R&B, hip-hop and grime beats, kept the skill level high and the crowd entertained. Another MC with plenty to say, Exonic, dropped thought-provoking, sombre, but defiant female rap sonics over head-nodding hip-hop riddims. With just a little more variety in her beat soundscapes, Exonic could further showcase her dark storytelling. Fly 5, who had apparently formed especially for this gig, dropped an enjoyable one-song performance of hip-hop soul with pop smarts.
I was a little nervous about the return of BabyGravy… would one of my favourite local acts ever still be able to deliver the goods?
The answer was a hell yeah! Spiky, new wave, punk-funk with attitude was served up by the underrated (at least locally) BabyGravy. Iona, whose vocals have improved greatly, still commands the stage impressively, with her sultry Debbie Harry meets Karen O singing style. Zahra, always a demon on the drums, thrashed away like a woman possessed, while Dave, with his inventive, lazy basslines, and Dale, doubling up on keys and guitar, kept things quirky, inventive and solid. This was BabyGravy’s final performance… or was it? It would be a waste. That’s my final word on the matter.
Strolling on stage like an extra from Sherlock Holmes was the charismatic N-zyme who, after inviting all the performers on stage, proceeded to drop a dirty South, crunk-meets-UK-hip/hop banger- setting us up nicely for the headline act.
No Lay was fierce. I shit you not! This woman is one of the most ruffneck MCs I have ever witnessed live – male or female. Her biting, aggressive vocals and on-point flow took the energy to another level. Her laid back, feisty stage patter kept the crowd entertained. Dropping her new single plus a few mixtape tracks, two blistering a capellas closed the show, and then she was gone – leaving us buzzing from an all too brief, but explosive, set.
Props to Andy Hill from local beatsmiths Death of Hifi, who kept the troops entertained between acts with a top notch selection of tunes. All in all, an impressive showcase for the too often ignored local urban scene and a reminder that beneath the Dreaming Spires there is a plenty of hip-hop and soul amongst all of the indie rock landfill. Zahra Tehrani’s quest for world domination continues at a furious pace, and all of the acts delivered a show that would make Kate Garrett proud. Wherever you are, rest in peace, Mama G.