A popular rap crew got pulled off the main stage, mid-song, without warning. The big screens they have at the sides of big stages were wobbling dangerously…we felt for The Group, it was a terrible way to end the set.
The Friend/Genius appeared in the crowd during the set of
The Bus. The Bus was on fine form, and
had everyone in stitches. Some great
banter, which to one MC, known to The Bus, sounded familiar. The Friend (to Your Humble Narrator) was such
a welcome sight. Your Humble Narrator
has not referred to The Friend as a Genius to his face, but has always thought
him one. Isn’t it funny, the things we
don’t say to each other? Particularly
those of us who talk a lot of shit, like Your Humble Narrator. But The Friend is also humble, and Your Humble
Narrator doesn’t like to embarrass him.
Still, they had a great time catching up, and had a right dance at the main stage…
Still, they had a great time catching up, and had a right dance at the main stage…
The Famous Hip Hop Crew played their last ever gig. One of them died shortly after the group
re-formed last year, and they repped their brother hard, with the whole set
seeming like a moving tribute. Many
adults were moved to tears. Others, of
course, did drugs or talked all over it or looked at their phones or
whatever. But who gives a fuck about
them?
Those of us who know, and some who don’t, appreciated it in our own ways. Your Humble Narrator and The Friend/Genius danced in the mud and went from shaking cold to normal to sweaty as The Famous Rapper danced in front of a screen showing him dancing in front of the screen. In a neat summation of the Life And Times of The Famous Hip Hop Crew.
It was, as they say, emotional.
Those of us who know, and some who don’t, appreciated it in our own ways. Your Humble Narrator and The Friend/Genius danced in the mud and went from shaking cold to normal to sweaty as The Famous Rapper danced in front of a screen showing him dancing in front of the screen. In a neat summation of the Life And Times of The Famous Hip Hop Crew.
It was, as they say, emotional.
The Rapper, playing with his band, also had an emotional
time. One set that was difficult and far
from ideal, followed twenty-four hours later by one which brought The Rapper
himself to an emotional state. The
Rapper didn’t cry, but was close.
The Old Friend watched, and his presence was felt. (If this were being spoken, Your Humble Narrator
might say that, like a blind man at Christmas, his presence was felt. But that kind of homophone joke doesn’t work
in written words, does it?)
The Frontman tells his friend that he is his friend. The Friend agrees, but doesn’t necessarily
agree with all the other things The Frontman says about him. “Maybe I’m just high”, says The
Frontman. But The Friend appreciates The
Frontman’s candour, and agrees heartily that they are, indeed, good
friends.
The Poet performs a short set on a quiet Saturday afternoon
and, presumably, enjoys it more than anyone else who is there. A little over twenty-four hours later, The
same Poet will perform to a rapt-looking, attentive audience, while a raging
storm keeps them in the place. The Poet
will find it overwhelming, and will not be the only one. The MC will tell him that, and it will be
much appreciated. The Poet will leave
the festival site immediately after the set, full of confusion and
wistfulness. Ambivalence, as well as paradox,
is a powerful presence in The Poet’s mind.
Always. But these were Good
Times, The Poet knows enough to know that.
Rare times, in the best sense of the word. The Poet appreciates all this, appreciates
those who have made it possible for him to be here, and feels it strongly
enough to make a point of letting everyone know how he feels.
There are MCs in the place.
Hip Hop, with its tradition of friendly competition, will be respected –
but these MCS encourage each other.
Each, having their own individual styles, will inspire the others and
there will be plenty of support all round.
PUMP OUT THE JAMS is how one of them old skool rap crews
would put it. There is much jamming, as
ever at The PFR, and the post-Last Ever Show of The Seminal Rap Crew will be a
good one. The MC, rushing back from the
main stage, bursts into the room and approaches the mic. He doesn’t really rhyme, this time, the words
don’t seem to come to mind, but he doesn’t mind, since a rhyme scheme is only
one aspect of being an MC. The MC takes
responsibility to rock the party, and on this occasion, that means getting
everyone up – the place is pretty chilled, and that’s cool, if you get down
like that, but right now, the place has to close soon, so let’s peak at the
right time, get up and smile.
“All praises due to The People’s Front Room”, says The
Rapper, before leaving the festival early – the artistic equivalent of the
centre forward indulging in some badge-kissing celebration after scoring,
before leaving the club for their local rivals a week later. That’s harsh, though, isn’t it, but it does
occur to The Rapper. The Rapper is his
own biggest critic….
And. Yet. The Rapper never
tires of hearing lavish praise of how enjoyable his set was, knowing all the
while that there will be a “but”, feels
it hanging in the air, like a particularly shrill wind chime about to be
animated by a chill wind. Most people don’t
realise The Rapper is psychic (well, more prescient than psychic, to be fair),
but Your Humble Narrator can also see it coming a mile off.
The “but” isn’t always literally the word but; sometimes it’s “I just think…”, or something similar.
This month’s Lavish Praise Followed By Fatuous Criticism was a “just don’t do the politics, leave that out – it’s not you.”
The Rapper had never met the critic before, so was a bit surprised that the critic apparently knows The Rapper so well, so deeply. So completely.
The “but” isn’t always literally the word but; sometimes it’s “I just think…”, or something similar.
This month’s Lavish Praise Followed By Fatuous Criticism was a “just don’t do the politics, leave that out – it’s not you.”
The Rapper had never met the critic before, so was a bit surprised that the critic apparently knows The Rapper so well, so deeply. So completely.
The Singer will spend 51 hours of his 52 hours on the
festival site at The PFR, and will be very happy with this. The Singer will say honest and fulsome things
about The People’s Front Room.
But everyone says those things about The People’s Front
Room. It’s one of those delightfully
rare occasions when everyone is right.
Bless everyone who was there, and bless you.
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