Concert Review: 88Rising Have The World Shook At Pier 17
Walking into 88Rising’s Rooftop At Pier 17 show, the energy was so electric my phone nearly re-charged itself. There was an excitement in the air that could literally be grabbed and turned into a Hip Hop tesseract. While I had heard and liked a few of the songs of each artist playing that night, frankly, I was clear slate compared to the amount of loyalty and love pouring from the audience like water fountains. The night was a cross between a festival and an open mic; each artist flowing unto the stage with an ease, rawness, and star-power that made them charmingly approachable while also demagogic.
From Rich Brian to Higher Brothers, every artist kept on saying, “Y’all know this track! Play it DJ,” and I was SHOOK. They were playing hits that seemingly defined the hearts, dreams, and realities of Asian Americans, and I had no clue. It reminded me of the many times I have gone out to see a Latinx artist: to both support my community and remember we are here, we are fun, and we are SUPER creative. Thus, it humbled and excited me to know other communities, struggling with mainstream visibility, do the same and do it COSMICALLY WELL! My GOD! Every song that was played made me want to call up radio stations demanding a response, “Why the HECK IS JOJI’S “Yeah Right” not #1?”
I sincerely fell in love with Joji. He is a cross between Jhene Aiko’s sound and a strip club. He feels like the chilled, bottle service of a night with the potential of becoming another sequel for “The Hangover.” It was amazing to see how each artist was simultaneously distinct from the other, but mensing into the other to create a set/night that was enrapturing. It was impossible to distinguish who gave “more” of themselves as performers because, from Keith Ape to Niki, everyone gave their soul to that stage in offering, and revealed the many layers of being “lit” with energy. Thus, when they all joined together, I was surprised iPhones didn’t get another Presidential Alert. It was TOO POWERFUL!
As every artist united together, 88Rising looked like the coolest kids in Heaven’s High-school. You almost wanted to look away when seeing so much talent, friendliness, and combination of serious and silly thoughts on the human condition. Thus, by the end of the night, I realized “mainstream” radio or charts is not about validity. From Cardi B to Crazy Rich Asians, I have been hearing a lot about “The Latin Craze” or “The Asian Craze” that is booming through media, but 88Rising’s show is proof that it already boomed. In truth,“We have always been here, boo?!” The question is why haven’t you shown up? For More Information On 88Rising Click Here.
88RISING – Midsummer Madness ft. Joji, Rich Brian, Higher Brothers, AUGUST 08 (Official Music Video)
