Blackalicious bounce into Belly Up

DJ Artistic and Sleeping Giant Music are known for high-quality hip-hop artists they hand select. Tonight was no different, as veteran hip-hop duo Blackalicious rocked an enthusiastic crowd in Solana Beach’s Belly Up Tavern. Emcee Gift of Gab and DJ Chief Xcel share decades of experience, and their ability to take the audience on a journey through their catalogue and through the night is evidence of their dues paid. Lateef the Truthspeaker and Jumbo accompanied Gab on the mics, and both did their part to keep the crowd hyped! Gab, a talented wordsmith, showed how he earned his moniker.

Preceding the headliner, 9Theory mesmerized the audience with live instrumentation, triggered sounds, and samples topped with airy vocals.

San Diego’s own Real J Wallace, the ultimate ice-breaker, blended serious, humorous, and down-to-earth rapping and crooning; Real J began light and left the audience hanging on a more serious note — a reminder that hip-hop started at a party but has a socially aware side too.

DJ Artistic commanded the audience between acts, digging deep in the annuls of rap and striking gold with tracks from Common, DMX, Naughty by Nature, A Tribe Called Quest, and more.

• Concert: Blackalicious, 9Theory, Real J Wallace, and DJ Artistic
• Venue: Belly Up Tavern
• Date: July 22
• Seats: General admission