 While Mos was wrecking shop in the Bay Area another group of Hip Hoppers were also garnering the spotlight. The Jazzyfatnastees touched down with their Black Lily Tour. Now for those who aren't familiar with this LA based duo, Tracey and Mercedes started off singing background for The Pharycyde. They later hooked up with the Roots and started doing background as well as opening up for them. Recently they became the first act on the Root's new label Motor records, where they have dropped a slamming jazzy flavored lp entitled 'The Once And Future'. They've also launched the Black Lily Tour which is essentially a women in music series. Their mission is to bring back the art of live performance-something which they have clearly mastered. When I caught up with the group, they explained the importance of the Black Lily Tour and how they had sought to create a space where up and coming female singers, emcees and spoken word artists could be nurtured and come to fully realize their full artistic potential.They also spoke on the importance of women artist being able to maintain their artistic direction and integrity without having to compromise to the commercial and oftentimes exploitative ways of the music industry. Another topic we touched on was the need for up and coming artist especially on the African American side to have spaces where they bring forth new material and musical perspectives to the audience. They like so many new artists have found themselves all but shut out by commercial radio who often find it difficult to categorize the duo. Are they jazz? Are the soul? Are they Hip Hop? FYI, the Jazzyfatnastees come out of what was once a burgeoning 'Acid Jazz' scene that was popular in LA during the early and mid 90s. During the Black Lily show here in the Bay Area, the group hooked up with another female collective called Herstory. They too have been responsible for putting together all female Hip Hop and spoken word showcases including recent shows that featured Bahamadia, DJ Pam The Funkstress of The Coup, DJ Reborn and Medusa to name a few. The other night all sorts of female artist got up and wrecked shop. Most notable was a woman from Newark New Jersey named 'Flow' whose skills were so tight, it left me wondering if her native hip hop brethren Redman got his game from her. She was definitely hitting and will soon be coming out on The Roots new label. The other artist who got down was Jaguar who to me, is a cross between Mary J Blige and Millie Jackson. She can sing like Mary and but has all the raunchiness and pizzazz of Millie..She also has some nice emcee skillz. Jaguar who you can hear on the Roots new single 'What You Want' which is featured in the new movie 'The Best man'. All in all, the Black Lily show was dope. Usually after each concert they hold an open mic.. I unfortunately didn't get a chance to peep that.. But I did see an off the hook show and a packed house.. For more info on Jazzyfatnastees and their Black Lily Tour peep their website at http://www.okayplayer.com/jazzyfatnastees/ If you are here on the west coast and wish to get down with the women's collective 'Herstory' drop an email to Jessica Tully at mailto:mamajama@dnai.com |