 On Friday nite, Magic Johnson threw a bash at the 7th Note nite club which featured the Pirate DJs and Beni B of the Bay Area Hip Hop Coalition working the turn tables. He also included Run DMC who performed a midnight concert that was pretty much off the hook. They showed and proved why they were among the best in Hip Hop. My only misgivings was when the group flipped some of their classic songs like 'It's Like That', 'Tricky' and 'You Be Illing' to include a 'house beat'. This seemed to go over well with the large 'crossover' audience that was in attendance, but regular headz weren't diggin' the switch. The other mishap was when some clumsy sound man decided to walk across the stage in the middle of Run's set and trip over the cords connecting Jam Master Jay's turntables. For a moment I thought the good Reverend Run was gonna forget his Holy disposition and curse homeboy out. Run was heated. As a result, he personally saw to it that everyone who wasn't performing was off the stage. Run played the role of the bouncer and escorted everyone off. Afterwards the group continued to show and wrecked shop. While this was going on, across town at SF's Union Square, Redman, Methodman, Montell Jordan, Funkmaster Flex and a host of others were partying hard at Niketown. Make no mistake Def Jam knows how to throw a gig. Even though this was invite only and there was no on air publicity, the surrounding streets were packed as throngs of people tried to get in. I can't really provide an eye witness account, because I was one of the many who simply couldn't get in. But everyone who came out had nothing but rave reviews.
 I later caught up with Flex who certainly made his presence felt in the Bay Area and asked him how he manages to do everything that he does. For those who don't know, Funkmaster Flex is on Hot 97 everyday for 3-4 hours. He can also be heard on Power 106 each weekend in LA. He runs his own label Franchise Records. He also holds down a record pool. If that's not enough he's a Def jam artist who just dropped 'The Tunnel' album with another one on the way. He also has another project about to drop on Loud Records. A tired Flex explained that he really loves what he's doing which makes it possible for him to do so much. Many consider Flex to be one of the most influential people in Hip Hop, so I asked him what new trends he sees on the Hip Hop horizon. He thought about it for a minute and then noted that he felt like Hip Hop was going to fuse. He explained that he could see Hip Hop artists doing some serious collaboration with artists like 98 Degrees and Christina Aguilera. At first I thought he was kidding. I asked him if he thought Snoop and Christina might come together to do songs. A solemn Flex said he could see such collabs happening. 'It won't be anything crazy or anything like that', he said. But he seriously sees the coming together of Hip Hop artists with such acts. While the Def Jam party was raging. Allen Iverson was holding court inside the rotunda of San Francisco's newly remodeled City Hall. I didn't get a chance to peep that gig. I do know he ran into some drama earlier that morning when he missed an early morning radio interview. One of the pissed off deejays who had been pumpin' Iverson's appearance all morning long, upon his absence announced that his gig was cancelled. Mr. Iverson made his way into the station later that morning to do damage control. It may have been too little too late. Biz Markie came through the Bay Area and spun at two parties. On Friday he threw down for the SoulPurpose.com launch party at SF's Bubble Lounge. On Saturday he pot busy at the Covered wagon along with Pirate DJ Rolo. I caught the Friday night gig with Soulpurpose.com. It was a classy event as folks took a moment out to acknowledge last week's sudden passing of 41 year old industry giant George Jackson. For those who don't know, he was the co-founder of UBO.net [Urban Box Office net] and also the producer for such films like 'Crush Groove', 'New Jack City', Jason's Lyrics and 'A Thin Line Between Love and Hate'. Jackson was one of the first to come through and utilize Hip Hop artists in films. He also headed Motown records for a while. Many of the people who were at the Soul Purpose party knew Jackson and were deeply touched. The brother was getting ready to do some big things with UBO.net. He will certainly be missed. Hometown hero, Gary Payton proved to be the ultimate party host this weekend as he threw three different events. At each gathering many of the locals including, E-40, Rappin' 4Tay, The Delinquents and Sway of the Wake Up Show to name a few came out to show support. On Friday nite he got a little too much support when several unsavory types managed to switch places with the regular coat check person and gave new meaning to the word 'coat check'. The Source Magazine hosted an event that included performances from Made Men and The Ruff Ryders. From what I was told our friends from the Ruff Ryders arrived too late to perform. Also in the mix was the Black Sports Agents gala that brought out everyone from 49er Jerry Rice to Montell Jordan. It wasn't what I would call a Hip Hop event… but nevertheless a lot of headz showed up to represent. The event that everyone is buzzing about was the official After Party for the Slam Dunk competition on Saturday Night. Here Kid Capri let everyone know once and for all why he's one of Hip Hop's dopest deejays. Snoop Dogg arrived at the SF Hilton, 12 deep with Nate Dog, Xzibit, DJ Jam and members from his Eastsidaz Crew. There were all sorts of rumors floating around about Snoop performing and NWA doing a reunion set. Neither happened. Instead, the audience was treated to a stellar performance from Mary J Blige. Other folks in the house included Q-Tip, Shaq and Kobe Bryant who along with LL Cool J performed earlier that day. Overall it was interesting seeing an organization like the NBA operate. These guys have a lot of power and wasted no time flexing it. They controlled everything throughout the Bay Area from parking to the types of flyers one could use for their events. For example, prior to the kick off events there were a number of promoters who tried to hone in on the action by renting out clubs and doing their own unsanctioned 'NBA' parties. Apparently the NBA 'don't play that' as many of these independent promoters found their dance permits revoked and suspended by city officials. There wasn't gonna be any flyers with Shaq or Kobe Bryant circulating around unless it was approved by the NBA. When uninvited folks showed up at events like the Mary J Blige concert and attempted to bumrush, they quickly found out just how efficient security personel and police departments can be when 50 million dollars is on the table. In other words, no matter how thugged out an individual was, there was no way in the world he or any other knucklehead were gonna come who-ride any of the events like they did at the Cash Money concert several weeks ago. It wasn't like such individuals disappeared. However, with so much money being fueled into the Bay Area's economy, all the 'nonsense' and potential nonsense was made to cease.
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