By: Jenn PreisselKanye West may have produced the likes of Jay-Z, Ludacris and TalibKweli, but the platinum-selling producer-cum-rapper remains on thelower-rung of the rap hierarchy. On a sunny Saturday in April, Westplayed the opening act to hip-hop pioneers De La Soul in a “secret”concert held on the grounds of Columbia University in New YorkCity, covering tracks he’s crafted for other artists (includingAlicia Keys) along with the tunes from his 2004 debut CollegeDropout.
While not the most commercially potent rappers of the past tenyears, De La Soul remain amongst the most socially consciousvanguards of the alternative rap movement, blending psychedelicbeats with quick-witted verbal rhyming. Between instructing audienceto vote and giving lessons on the history of old school rap, De LaSoul induced much hand-waving, body-swaying and singing along withtheir giddy on-stage interplay.
For photos of the concert, click here.
