Music Meeting: KRS, Kane & Rakim Flick It Up

While today's theme for my music meeting was tougher to get going than usual, I turned to a picture that sparked this post. The shot that you are viewing was a classic moment for even all those involved. It took place in late August of 2009 in Harlem. The place was Black Star Video on the corner of 128th and Lenox Ave.

It was a muggy day as scores of hip-hop heads stuffed themselves into the already sweltering DVD and music shop to witness the first taping of Kid Capri's 'The Lion's Den' street MC battles. As I walked in, I saw huge flat screens set up outside the store for those that couldn't make it inside to witness the verbal mayhem spat by the likes of Head Ice, Cortez and a few other incredible battle MCs. Even thought their talent was the shining light, what was blinding was the stars in attendance that were the judges of the event. You had KRS One, Big Daddy Kane, Raekwon and Styles P as the panel of MC dream crushers.

As the battles got more intense, so did the judging. You really can't go against KRS telling you that you have to slow down or get your bars up. It's KRS ya know? The fact that Raekwon is telling you that your lines are ill, you get crazy love in the room after that. But Kane saying that you got slayed is a downer no matter how you slice it.