To commemorate 20 years in the game, rap group Bone Thugs and Harmony hit up the 314 as a part of their international or three city tour Thursday night. Because of that completely useless warm vanilla sugar hype woman in the studded brassiere, I didn’t know what to expect. I mean, she owes whoever paid her to get it crackin’ a full refund – even if it was an unpaid position. She was cute enough, but I’m telling you hearing her mumble on the mic not only had me NOT turned up, but I was quietly depressed.
But on a good note, I was struck by how diverse – both in age, gender and race – that show was. I was standing next to an empty nest soccer mom in O.G. acid washed daisy dukes and vintage (as in 1991) Payless pumps. And on the other side of me was a baby Sons of Anarchy crew. Meanwhile, folks ranging from young, black and fabulous to utterly ratchet were scattered all up and through the Coliseum Thursday night. Aloha Mi-sho, Scar LaDon, Staci Static, Mz. Janee and plenty more of the who’s who were in the house. I even saw April Simpson apparently catching life from the side of the stage.
There were some “who’s threw” in the building too. For example, remember that shape in the tragic white bellbottom cat suit that I punished so viciously a few months ago…she’s back. I mean really, if you are going to get caught dead in that dingy thing once, that’s more than enough.
Anyway, I know y’all want me to get on with the show, but I would put you through what I experienced as about 17 opening acts came and went. But when they brought Bone and ‘nem on stage, the folks were into it at hello! A lot has changed since 1995, but those unkempt frenchbraids have remained constant. I would love to tell you that they looked exactly the same as they did back when they were still thuggish and ruggish…but hey, they can still put on a show. I was engaged in a bitter debate on whether or not they used vocal backing, but when “Thuggish Ruggish Bone” chimed in, we couldn’t help but make peace by dropping it low to the beat. I really had a good time watching them tear it up (and Bizzy quietly zone out) – and I know I wasn’t alone! Can somebody tell me whose uncle that was waiving a single food stamp around during “1st of the Month?” I’m all for folks who bring props and signs to shows, but that was a bit much! On another note, I had completely forgotten that Bone has done songs with some of the greatest in hip-hop history. I’m talking Tupac and Biggie – not just their mentor Eazy-E. They got it in…and Jodeci needs to take note.