Photo Credit. Kevin Cassidy/Courtesy of Wolf Trap
The month of August concluded with a vibrant Hip Hop performance as The Roots presented their "Hip Hop Is The Love of My Life Tour" at Wolf Trap Center for the Performing Arts in Vienna, Virginia. The event also featured performances by fellow esteemed hip-hop acts Digable Planets and Arrested Development.
The Roots kicked off the night with a one-two punch of "Respond/React" and "ECK/Pros". Naturally, since the legendary crew is a band, covers appeared in the setlist, with The Roots putting their spin on tunes from Instant Funk, Kool & The Gang, and Manu Dibango. The group closed out the first portion of their set with a mash-up of "Think Twice" and "Lookin' At The Front Door".
Following The Roots, Digable Planets took the stage and brought a truly organic and authentic energy to their setlist. Their performance, which included tracks like "The May 4th Movement", "Jettin," and "Where I'm From", resonated with the crowd, creating a strong sense of connection.
The Roots soon returned to the stage for another energetic set, which set the mood for Arrested Development to show out. Lead vocalist Speech, along with One Love, showcased their lyrical prowess throughout. Tasha LaRae's soaring vocals and Fareedah Aleem's ferocious dancing turbo-charged the band's three-pronged attack at the front of the stage. Their first set included hits like "Mr. Wendel" and "Everyday People".
As the night began to wind down, it became all about the hits and bops for each act. The Roots' "You Got Me" featured an encore-worthy vocal and guitar solo from Captain Kirk Douglas, Digiable Planets' "Cool Like Dat" was a straight-up party, and Arrested Development's "Tennessee" all were met with great favor from the crowd, leaving them feeling satisfied and fulfilled.
The "Hip Hop Is The Love of My Life Tour" was not just a concert, but a well-structured, immersive experience. It offered a refreshing change from the typical concert, beautifully blending all acts into one continuous celebration. There was hardly a moment's pause between songs, keeping the audience entertained and fully immersed in the experience.
Kudos to Questlove for his masterful orchestration, keeping the evening flowing smoothly—navigating through diverse acts, all worthy of headlining their own show.
Final Grade: A
Comentarios