Steve Rifkind couldn’t have imagined that his idea for Loud Records would evolve into all of this.
Loud Records has had a foothold in the Hip-Hop game over the span of three decades and the turnout at NYC’s Radio City Music Hall was proof of the impact that the iconic label has on Hip-Hop culture. From artists like Xzibit and Tha Alkaholiks from the West Coast to the “Infamous” Mobb Deep straight outta the legendary Queensbridge Projects, the Loud Experience took those present through an audible time warp that rekindled the importance of all of the acts that were blessed to rep the Loud imprint over the years. Even those artists who were never officially signed to the label, but affiliated with those who were, came through and showed love to one of the most integral labels within the genre of Hip-Hop.
The West Coast opened up shop with Xzibit and the Likwit Crew, amping up the crown before Remy Ma and Fat Joe brought the BX flavor downtown to midtown. The terror Squad brought out crooner Tony Sunshine to sing the Borinquen proud “100%” as a part of the Big Pun tribute. dead prez was next to bring their “Revolutionary But Gangsta” energy to the stage right before Jada and the Ghost brought the streets to the stage, getting all of the hardcore fans on their feet.
One of Loud Records’ most revered acts came to the stage literally “Mobb Deep!” The entire legendary crew from QB honored their fallen general Albert “Prodigy” Johnson. When the “Quiet Storm” came over Radio City, the Queen Bee Lil Kim burst onto the stage to wow the crowd with her flamboyant performance. By far one of the most intriguing sets of the night, the Mobb put it on for the entire Q borough.
Everyone in the crowd, especially those donning the “W” shirts, were waiting on the night’s headliner, the iconic Wu-Tang Clan.
Even the Clan’s head honchos Power and Divine were in the building for the festivities. WTC went through renditions of their classics, with the late Ol’ Dirty Bastard’s son, Young Dirty Bastard, doing the renditions of his dad’s legendary darts. Once Method Man grabbed the mic, the women in the crowd went bananas until Mary J. Blige appeared on stage with him to even out the gender star power. Redman came to the stage to join Meth for their blackout hits, while the capacity crowd was continuously amazed by the sequence of illustrious acts that took to the stage.
The night ended peacefully, which was the most important part to be recognized by everyone inside and outside of the Hip-Hop community; one of the tenants that the culture itself is built upon.
The post [RECAP] Wu Tang Clan, Mary J. Blige, Lil Kim And More Shut Down A Sold Out Radio City Music Hall For The “Loud Experience” 25th Anniversary appeared first on The Source.
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