JAYFORCE

The classic album Reachin (A New Refutation of Time & Space) was released in 1992/1993. This was an iconic year for me because I graduated high school in 1993. At this point I was a bonafide lover of Hip Hop and the Digable Planets helped to make that love stronger with this classic work. The only problem was at that time I lived in Montgomery and there was no way that the Brooklyn trio would be doing a show in the capital city of Alabama.

Fast forward 23 years and I continue to love Hip Hop and now even meet & interview artists that I love. While back home in Montgomery visiting family the planets align for me literally. I see that a show is listed to rock in Birmingham, AL an hour away Wednesday July 20th. Without hesitation I purchase ticket online hop in the ride 65 N bound to finally see one of my favorite groups live.

-ArtByOdell Twitter/SoundCloud

Tony M. Bingham : Photo Credit

The show is opened by local talent Shaheed & DJ Supreme who get the crowd warmed up. Then Camp Lo came out with hit after hit working the crowd in a frenzy. Of course that build up was taken over the top once their all time classic “Luchini” started coming out of the speakers. At this point I looked behind me because I was posted in the front by side of the stage. The venue was jam packed everyone anticipating the Planets arrival. There was a slight delay getting the band ready and some people got a little anxious. All of that anxiety was relieved when the guitar player plugged in and the rest of the band followed suit.

Tony M. Bingham : Photo Credit

Next you saw Butterfly, then LadyBug Mecca, and Doodlebug all grace the stage. Doodlebug thanked the crowd for coming out then the band started playing then I heard “One time for your mind, Two times for Mumia Sekou, Three times for my Brooklyn dimes”. I then knew it was finally happening I was seeing the tracks I loved so much being performed live. Literally not missing a beat and sounding like the record I was in musical bliss.

Tony M. Bingham : Photo Credit

Doodlebug navigating the crew and he made sure to take some time to speak on the ills of current 2016 with police brutality and violence. Then Butterfly said Birmingham, AL the planets have aligned and the trio performed hit after hit like Jettin, Where I’m From, and Nickel Bags to name a few. I literally lost it when the bass-line came on for “Pacifics” Butterfly dropped the intro the crowd was in party mood at this point. I was on the side of the stage right next to LadyBug & Butterfly even pointed me out saying “Keep an eye on him he been watching Ladybug the whole night” the energy was incredible.

Tony M. Bingham : Photo Credit

The make up of the crowd was impressive there were people my age some in their fifties and sixties. Also there were numerous teenagers in the crowd all races everyone just enjoying great music. Butterfly at one point said Birmingham “You guys get down like this on a Wednesday night?” The crowd appreciated the live performance. Of course “Cool like Dat” was a highlight and we all sang every lyric of that together. They even performed another song after cool like dat but at this point I was in another planet cant even remember which track it was. So it was truly an amazing night no surprise this tour is selling out all over the country. Check it out if you can the last US date is August 25th in Portland, OR before they go overseas.