Midwestern Hip Hop

Thursday night found us at the Union Terrace. It was a warm night in the Midwest and a large crowd was gathered on the shores of Lake Mendota to enjoy the night's entertainment, and drink the beer. The event, part of Madison's "Hip Hop as a Movement Week", might not seem to be a big draw in a city that is less that 6% African-American and held at a university that is half that. This is where the Jews and the Lesbians come in though. Both demographics were out in full force, to a surprising degree. I think it's pretty reasonable to say that few people get to enjoy the funkaliscious stylings of The Coup in such an environment. I'm not going to claim that I was honored, that would be a lie, but I did appreciate that fact on an intellectual level. I also appreciated Coup members Boots Riley, for his impressive 'fro/mutton chops mien, and DJ Pam the Funkstress, for her energy and verve. The point of all of this? The Coup, really good. With or without Lesbos. A few choice tracks: Ride the Fence, Laugh/Love/Fuck, My Favorite Mutiny, and of course Baby Let's Have a Baby Before Bush Do Somethin Crazy.