Monday, August 23, 2010
Photo Gallery / Live Review Lil' B's show was an exercise in attention whoredom
Posted by Shannon Barbour on Mon, Aug 23, 2010 at 1:33 PM
- Gunner Stahl
- PRETTY B*$%H SWAG: Lil B takes it off for his fans
The young crowd waiting to get into the Loft for Friday’s Lil’ B Live in Atlanta presented by Fadia Kader/Broke & Boujee show were a part of Atlanta’s rising hood-hipster hybrid. The Internet-fed fans of Berkeley, Calif.-based Pack member, Lil’ B, exemplified the power of social media to advance the careers of rising rappers and wannabes — who become virtually indistinguishable with each new YouTube video.
Like the explicit content advisory stickers of the past, an endorsement from the infamous Soulja Boy should also serve as a warning. It’s like saying, “this motherfucker is a gimmick.” Lil’ B’s loyal followers, however, remained undeterred. It may be the sense of belonging he gives them through shout outs via Twitter and Facebook. Or maybe it’s his uncanny ability to sound sincere with every profane utterance, such as “Y’all inspire the fuck outta me.”
Regardless, some couldn’t wait to see him.
As a result, the opening acts got lukewarm love. Especially Grip Plyaz, who was practically booed, as if his biggest song, “Fuck Dat Hipster Shit,” was a personal attack against those in attendance. Retro Sushi got some bounce from a version of “Black Boy, White Boy Swag,” built on the sound of Soulja's “Pretty Boy Swag.” Honestly, FKI was the highlight of the evening with their rendition of Gucci Mane’s “I Think I Love Her,” where their guitarist, Ricky, strummed on the strings behind his head.
Fortunately, the show moved quickly, so by the time Lil’ B came onstage, his face covered with a T-shirt, the excitement level was still high. He finally revealed himself and launched into “Pretty Bitch” and several other mindless tirades that make up the most recent of his approximately 1,500 songs on the web.
By the time he got to his “hit,” “Look like Jesus,” the scene was sick, but not in the good way. The “BasedGod” is baseless. Some left the show early, but a scant few stayed, hanging on his every word.
At that point, I wondered if the force of social media was really enough to propel his career into legitimacy. Who knows. I, like many others at the show, had enough.
A friend and I joked that if we took a shot every time he Lil B said the word "dick," we would have had alcohol poisoning.
Here are some other choice quotes:
"I was in church, but I don't give a fuck about shit."
"I look fruity, but I like girls."
"Suck my dick ho" — this was just shouted randomly throughout the performance, not necessarily as part of a song.
"If you can't fit Magnums, that's o.k., just wear Trojans."
- Gunner Stahl
- Gunner Stahl
- Gunner Stahl
- Gunner Stahl
- Gunner Stahl
- Gunner Stahl
- Gunner Stahl
Comments (9)
Showing 1-9 of 9
Dude sounds like that generation of Def Comedy Jam comedians who came up after Eddie Murphy trying to mimic his X-rated delivery without putting the shit in the proper context.
But as Eddie said in Raw: "Now I can't have no 'curse' show, I mean I gotta throw in a few jokes in between the curses, I can't come out and go "Hello! Filth flar'n filth, motherfucker, dick, pussy, snot, and shit. Good night! Suck my dick!"
like
dislike
LOL Rodney .. the truth is, this is how some people view music as just sound and curse words with no real thought behind it. I actually attended the show and could'nt believe he mentioned church and dont give a fuck about shit in the same verse. ..or should I say hook. Because I really don't think he knew anything about musical notation which would comprise a verse that makes sense.
DUDE IS HORRIBLE. I received a press invite for the show, being a little intrigued as to who this guy was (as Fadia, usually gives good references on the up & coming hipsters who are "trying" to do something) I progressed to play the "Pretty Bitch" song that was attached in the email. I HAD NIGHTMARES for days after listening to the horror... OMG (enough said)
Dude, I was THERE. If you take a look at the second to last picture, on the right... I'm the sole white boy in the picture. Now I live in Augusta. I drove out 3 hours to go one deep to the Based God show because none of my friends gave B a chance. So I went and enjoyed myself. Most people don't understand this movement. He doesn't give a fuck, he says and does what he wants.. yet he still keeps it positive. He's awesome as hell. He stayed after the show and spoke with all his fans and took pics. He shows love to the fans for real, I'm 19 and I see that it is just harder for adult's to comprehend what is going on in this scene.
@Fire_Thief
So refreshing to hear from an actual fan. Thanks for commenting dude. I think sometimes we critic types are so quick to, well, critique shit that we miss the point. (And yeah, I'm writing this to myself as much as anyone.) There is a bigger context Lil B fits into, along with all of his lyrical absurdities.
Dissing the dude is easy (see my previous comment for proof); grappling with his status as an internet phenom — and what exactly that could mean for the next gen. of hip-hop is a much more interesting convo.
In particular, I like some of the thoughtfulness Caramanica and Noz bring to the table (see links below), even if I've yet to be sold on B.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/27/arts/mus…
http://www.cocaineblunts.com/blunts/?p=636…
In particular, Noz makes the point that one can succeed as an entertainer even in the midst of failing onstage as a rapper.
Unfortunately, I didn't go to his Atl show, so this isn't an attempt to defend his performance, or his career, for that matter. Just saying I think there's a much more compelling conclusion to draw regarding Lil B than "yay" or "nay." As for what that is, well, I might need to download another hundred songs or so from the Based God before I can rightly say.
Hey everybody! I definitely see where you're coming from. Lil B has a strong following for a reason. I get it. I listened to lots of songs. B.O.R. (Birth of Rap) in particular grabbed me. I know that he bounces between real rhyming and off-kilter randomness, but I didn't see anything in his show that captured that energy. He sounded like he was just shouting - and yes, I was there for all of it. @Fire_Thief - I understand. Believe me, I have been to shows of people I know and love and they don't always give the best concerts. Remember, this is a review of only one show. It is not an open and shut case. I'll keep up to see what Lil B cooks up next.
i didn't go but i suspect this review was more entertaining than the actual performance.
Latest in Crib Notes
-
Free from Fleet Foxes, Father John Misty finds his wild, fearless self 1
See his sexy dance moves at the Masquerade tonight
-
Tijuana Hercules careened through the Star Bar, but never crashed
Former Dirt frontman returned from Chicago for another round of junkyard rock 'n' roll
-
Tracklist: Nas saw Kelis as Courtney Love
- More »
Author Archives
-
Ron Isley talks about life, longevity and the Lord
The veteran soul crooner lays it on the line
-
'Diary of a Decade' screening brought in the funk and stirred up nostalgia
The two-hour doc showed why Atlanta became known as the new Motown
-
No more panties for the Foreign Exchange
Producer Nicolay talks about why the Foreign Exchange, which plays the Masquerade tonight, loves Atlanta
- More »
