First Philly Open Mic

Mixed feelings like a mulatto - Jaz-O on Jay-Z's Bring It On

I'd been itching to go to an open mic out here, and finally found out about one. So I attended last night and I'm real iffy about how I feel about the experience.

First off I was there alone, and having fun people around can sometimes make or break a night. Second the joint was full of college kids. I got nothing against college kids, but when an event is mostly college kids I start to get worried. I hate to say it but younger crowds do attract more drama and bs, and just aren't as fun sometimes.

So there's mad bboys around. I was impressed to see so many young people breaking. At first they were faking, no one dancing, all standing around. After a while they got into it and were rocking the entire night! I mean the featured act (a DC rapper) came on about to do his music and cats started krumping stealing the show. Everyone was watching the krumping and not him.

But in true emcee fashion he appreciated the moment (people dancing to his music) and kept going. His ish was pretty good too, but too chill for that crowd. I guess just cause he came with a live band he decided to go in that direction, because I bought his mixtape later and it sounds way different from his performance. After him was the open mic. Which I signed up for, which ended up being a freestyle cipher, freestyling being something I ain't good at yet. So I opted to step off rather than embarass myself. Say what you want but I care too much about this art to half-ass freestyle.

So after the open mic the show was over. And I felt gipped. Yeah I saw a decent local mc and cats breakdancing. But coming in expecting to perform then having the idea snatched away sucked. And it doesn't help that most of the night I was alone, 'sides seeing a few cats I know but don't know.

All in all, I know a great spot to see breakers at, and a possible to feature at later. And that I need to get good at freestyling like yesterday. But I'm kinda blown about the night nonetheless. Ah well. Peace