Untitled Document

Fabolous and Ray J Concert Review

By Nina Carmela

Hammersmith Palais, London-21st December, 2005

As the crowd wait eagerly outside the venue, it wasn’t until a good hour after disputes over I.D checks that the venue begins to be filled with Ray J and Fabulous fans. As tensions start to fade with the help of the very entertaining hosts, 2 guys and a Black Dude, everyone begins to relax and gets into party mode. The DJ mixed tracks from Hip Hop, R&B, Dancehall and Old School Garage, playing classic joints by the likes of B.I.G, Ludacris, Elephant Man, DMX, Lethal B and Ms Dynamite. After reminiscing the records from the 90s, the crowd was more than ready for the live PA sets.

The opening act was the reggae flavoured Ali Barber who hyped up the venue with carnival beats and sexual teasing rhymes. His flirtatious antics were amusing but not enough to impress the crowd. Rappers, Soul Edge, were the following support act and were full of energy from the second they stepped on stage. Their US influences shone through there music, but the rhymes were kinda dry and people began to loose interest, until their soulsta stepped on stage and flexed his exceptional vocals, getting the crowd hyped up with UKHH spirit.

After another spin off from the decks it was time for the final PA set from Fun*Dmental. These guys didn’t walk on stage, they moonwalked it! The energy, confidence and their admiration for their music was proved by their outstanding performance. Their moves, vocal ability and stunning looks drove the girls absolutely crazy! The whole routine was on point and by the time they had finished performing ‘Playground’ and ‘Jump’, it felt like we had already seen what we came for.

As the temperatures were still high it was time for Ray J to take the stage, giving UK a glimpse of what to expect from him in 2006. Performing tracks from his latest album ‘Raydiation’, he proved tonight that he’s not just Brandy’s little brother; he’s an independent music artist. Ray J was very eager to please the crowd, and it wasn’t until he sang his recent single ‘One Wish’ that he accomplished what he came here for; making the ladies go weak at the knees!

It was finally time for New York’s finest rapper, Fabolous, to step on stage. His stage presence and live performance was just like watching him on MTV Base, everything that was expected from him. Fabolous is no stranger to London, and standing centre stage, rhyming classic tracks taken from all three of his platinum LPs, it’s nice to see he’s still got what it takes to win over his UK fans.

However, the night still felt like we had come to see Fun*Dmental as the main act. Once these guys start touring in 2006, they will no doubt be seeing some memorable faces! Although Ray J and Fabolous didn’t put on show-stopping performances, it was nevertheless an entertaining night, with plenty of eye candy and unexpected talents.

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	Fabolous and Ray J Concert Review By Nina Carmela Hammersmith Palais, London-21st December, 2005 As the crowd wait eagerly outside the venue, it wasn’t until a good hour after disputes over I.D checks that the venue begins to be filled with Ray J and Fabulous fans. As tensions start to fade with the help of the very entertaining hosts, 2 guys and a Black Dude, everyone begins to relax and gets into party mode. The DJ mixed tracks from Hip Hop, R&B, Dancehall and Old School Garage, playing classic joints by the likes of B.I.G, Ludacris, Elephant Man, DMX, Lethal B and Ms Dynamite. After reminiscing the records from the 90s, the crowd was more than ready for the live PA sets. The opening act was the reggae flavoured Ali Barber who hyped up the venue with carnival beats and sexual teasing rhymes. His flirtatious antics were amusing but not enough to impress the crowd. Rappers, Soul Edge, were the following support act and were full of energy from the second they stepped on stage. Their US influences shone through there music, but the rhymes were kinda dry and people began to loose interest, until their soulsta stepped on stage and flexed his exceptional vocals, getting the crowd hyped up with UKHH spirit. After another spin off from the decks it was time for the final PA set from *FunDmental*. These guys didn’t walk on stage, they moonwalked it! The energy, confidence and their admiration for their music was proved by their outstanding performance. Their moves, vocal ability and stunning looks drove the girls absolutely crazy! The whole routine was on point and by the time they had finished performing ‘Playground’ and ‘Jump’, it felt like we had already seen what we came for. As the temperatures were still high it was time for Ray J to take the stage, giving UK a glimpse of what to expect from him in 2006. Performing tracks from his latest album ‘Raydiation’, he proved tonight that he’s not just Brandy’s little brother; he’s an independent music artist. Ray J was very eager to please the crowd, and it wasn’t until he sang his recent single ‘One Wish’ that he accomplished what he came here for; making the ladies go weak at the knees! It was finally time for New York’s finest rapper, Fabolous, to step on stage. His stage presence and live performance was just like watching him on MTV Base, everything that was expected from him. Fabolous is no stranger to London, and standing centre stage, rhyming classic tracks taken from all three of his platinum LPs, it’s nice to see he’s still got what it takes to win over his UK fans. However, the night still felt like we had come to see FunDmental as the main act. Once these guys start touring in 2006, they will no doubt be seeing some memorable faces! Although Ray J and Fabolous didn’t put on show-stopping performances, it was nevertheless an entertaining night, with plenty of eye candy and unexpected talents. Return To Concert Review Archive
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