Time truly flies, can you believe it's been 30 years since De La Soul released “Buddy” remix? Honestly, I don't remember the original at all nor as a child did I know that the song was about sex. However, the hip-hop collective that I know today as the Native Tounges-made up of artists including the Jungle Brothers, De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, Monie Love and Queen Latifah — offered an “alternative” style of music during the iconic era.
On Thursday, the 9:30 Club hosted the inaugural Native Tongue Festival. Native Tounge Fest is a proud supporter of the American Diabetes Association. As you well know, Hip Hop lost its beloved Phife Dawg from complications due to diabetes. It was their goal is to bring awareness to the Organisations that can help educate us on this Condition that plagues not only the black and brown communities but the hip-hop community as well. The show featured Monie Love, the Beatnuts, Da Bush Babees, Fu-Schnickens, Leaders of the New School, Black Sheep, Chi-Ali, Brand Nubian and the Jungle Brothers, with cameos of other legends such as Kool DJ Red Alert, Gregg Nice, and Maseo of De La Soul.
I heard the iconic break, of "What's the 4111"? As we entered the building and almost lost my mind. Grand Puba performed his verse from the title track from an album praised for its influential fusion of R&B and hip-hop. Brand Nubian is known for their socially conscious and political lyrics which echoed through my favorite performances via "Slow Down", "Don't Let It Go To Your Head", etc.
Monie Love took the stage to do her verse “Buddy,” but also questioned why women aren't featured on shows of similar to the one tonight. “Why am I always the only girl on all these lineups with my brothers?” she asked. And after performing her verse of Queen Latifah’s “Ladies First,” she told anyone who knows young women interested in pursuing hip-hop to give them this advice: “Focus on what’s in your bars, as opposed to what’s in your bra.”
Succeeding, notable appearances from other legends, Dres of Black Sheep paid his respects to Phife Dawg of A Tribe Called Quest, former executive Chris Lighty, and celebrated producer and rapper J Dilla. After his iconic performance of “The Choice Is Yours.”
Founding member of A Tribe Called Quest, Jarobi White honored Phife with images and clips. Kool DJ Red Alert reminisced about filming the “Buddy” video 30 years ago before he introduced the last performance of the night, Jungle Brothers.
Unfortunately, we missed the featured performance of the night because our parking garage closed at midnight! Never the less, the concert was amazing and next time we will catch a Uber.
"You never thought that hip hop would take it this far" Notorious B.I.G.