Athens will play host to a rare performance by a pair of nationally known hip-hop acts, which local rap promoters and artists hope will spark an interest in the medium.
At 9 tonight, The Blue Gator, 63 N. Court St., will feature The Jungle Brothers and Black Sheep.
Both groups are members of the Native Tongue Posse— a collective of hip-hop artists founded by Afrika Bambaataa — that came to prominence in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Posse members have included De La Soul, Queen Latifah and A Tribe Called Quest.
Black Sheep is known for its 1991 singles "The Choice is Yours" and "Flavor of the Month," while Jungle Brothers consistently have recorded critically acclaimed albums despite a lack of commercial success, according to the Web site, All Music Guide (http://www.allmusic.com). This tour is in support of their latest album, last year's All That We Do.
"This tour is probably our first main U.S. tour in years, at least five or more years," said Mike G, a Jungle Brothers member.
All That We Do is the first Jungle Brothers album released independently after years of bouncing from one record company to another.
"It's been a little bit slow because the promotion's been light because we're working off an independent budget right now," Mike G said.
He said otherwise response to the album has been good.
Fans can expect to hear new and old songs tonight, he said.
"It'll be a nice blend, probably about fifty-fifty," Mike G said. "We do stuff from the first, second and third album to the current album."
Local DJ Charles Budde will perform under his stage name DJ E. dduB as an opening act for the performance.
"This is the biggest hip-hop show I've seen coming through (independent from Ohio University)," Budde said. OU has featured Busta Rhymes, Nas and The Roots in recent years.
Local hip-hop promoter Mark Heben said he jumped at the opportunity to bring Jungle Brothers and Black Sheep to Athens.
"A close friend of mine has been a hip-hop promoter in Cleveland for a good time now," Heben said. His friend, Tyler Lombardo, noticed the tour had an open date this week and put Heben in contact with Mike G.
"There really isn't any hip-hop down here, generally," Heben said. "From what I know, this is kind of a big thing. It's pretty rare."
Mike G said the development of a hip-hop scene in Athens depends on having people dedicated to bringing in major acts and facilitating local talent.
"You've really got to have someone in the community who wants to bring that kind of flavor," he said.
Admission is $12 in advance, $15 at the door.
Live hip-hop
What: Jungle Brothers and Black Sheep
When: 9 p.m. today
Where: The Blue Gator, 63 N. Court St.
Cost: $12 in advance, $15 at the door
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Chris DeVille
