Apache Stands the Test of Time in Hip Hop

By Diarra Davis

Whoa. My ears are still ringing as I exited Apache from a rambunctious True Skool Tuesday.
The cipher was in full effect. DJ Judgmental was on the 1s and 2s. It was the 2 Pac and Biggie true school, the Nikki and Heavy D, true school indeed. The BFD Hip Hop Jam Session, a weekly event at Apache was not all that was to be witnessed, but was a true classic.

With the insanely animated Fort Knox as the host, this night was the precursor of pure hip-hop insanity. Drinks were flowing, food was ordered and guests were getting their freak on. Some people who came early were able to catch a glimpse of the madness that was about to come during sound check and got ready.

As soon as Fort Knox hyped the crowd, he introduced ten emcees who took stage. The ten emcees competed for title, but the ladies shined tonight. Coco Brown and friend held their own amongst the known testosterone laced mic and towards the end with only eight bars left, one of the girls passed the mic to a gentleman by the name of Hectic, who stepped in and brought it on home.

After the competition, it didn't take long for the cafe to get packed just in time for Big Rec, who was the first act. Soon as Rec hit the stage, he proclaimed that “I am real hip-hop,” stating that real hip-hop never left. Collaborating with DJ G Wiz, Rec brought pandemonium to life and had fans waving their hands into air, while spitting on the mic about bringing underground to mainstream. Joined by Playboy Tre and White Brother Tom P, he finished his performance with an up tempo spittle titled “Say Something.”

Followed by Big Rec's performance was the duo Slick and Rose. Yo, these girls rock! They were accompanied by Billy, who was on the bass and Leon on the drums bringing in a raw form of funkiness exploded into a rock, hip-hop, pop vocal blend. Decked in black, these stage queens commandeered every song in a way that seductively engaged the audience. Singing, “you've got to entertain me if you want love to be fair,” was an understatement, however the mission was accomplished. Finishing with an 80s punk style song accentuated by high notes titled “Goodbye,” which in fact was a performance well done.

Next on stage was Dizzy Wunda. The crew from Richmond, VA came in with a hustling anthem touting the vintage “running, hustling, ducking cops.” That single was then followed by a few joints for the ladies, which slowed down the mood. Ending their performance the crew stated how they hate it when the party's over and its back to real life and being sober again. As they made this statement, I looked around the room and noticed that many of the inebriated guests felt the same way.

As soon as Dizzy Wunda left the stage, the crowd soon came rushing to the stage for the headliner: Big Heed and Alien, who just recently signed to Jive Records. Heed had his face covered by shades and fro fully fledged, lyrically flowing and flipping to every beat while Alien, the drummer took off his shirt in the second verse. The energy started out raw and the mood was real cinematic as these cats continued to bring more fire. The crowd participated constantly in the groups antics as the group came towards in end while they thanked the crowd for coming to see some “jack-***es.”

I can't agree more that Big Heed and Alien was the best anticipated performance of the night. All in attendance for the night were privileged to witness the Tru Skool Dope A** Music Series that happened at Apache. This Tru Skool Tuesday came with a real history lesson. Hip Hop is represented to the fullest every Tuesday at 64 3rd Street. B.O.B started at Apache and now Big Heed and Alien are officially signed to a label, thanks to the BFD Hip Hop Jam Session.

The BFD Hip Hop Jam Session is held every Tuesday at Apache. Doors open at 9pm. Show starts at 10pm. The next BFD Hip Hop Jam Session is Monday, March 1st.