With a mix of songs both new and from his extensive back catalog, Common entertained fans gathered in Universal City for a celebration of the intersection of hip-hop and technology. (Photo by Leiloni De Gruy)
Story Created:
Mar 25, 2009 at 6:59 PM PST
Story Updated:
Mar 26, 2009 at 2:21 PM PST
Class was in session March 16 at the Hard Rock Cafe in Universal City, as more than 200 adoring fans turned out to see the legendary Biz Markie work his magic on the turntables and lyricist Common drop rhymes for the “Microsoft Windows Presents Musicology 101 to Benefit VH1 Save The Music Foundation.”
For nearly two-and-a-half hours, Biz Markie managed to keep an anxious crowd calm with cool lyrics and melodies from the likes of Slick Rick, LL Cool J, Digital Underground, Michael Jackson, The Jackson 5, Tony! Toni! Tone!, Erykah Badu, Tupac Shakur, Notorious B.I.G., Jodeci, 50 Cent, Mary J. Blige, Pharrell Williams and Common himself.
It was an old school meets new school theme. And you cannot have it without scratching and beat-boxing, which is what Biz served up, along with his trademark heavy perspiration and sunken bottom lip.
Showcased on more than nine plasma televisions were videos from Common’s 1992 debut album “Can I Borrow a Dollar?,” which took fans back to the days when he was an avid breakdancer. As a matter of fact, he still throws in a windmill or two when he performs live on tour.
But throwbacks were only sufficient for some time. It wasn’t until 10:30 p.m. that the audience received what they wanted — Common. Every inch of space that was not filled prior to his appearance was now occupied, bodies barely able to shift. The only limbs in motion were hands and arms that were thrust forward in hopes of getting a touch or at least a sense of being a part of a hip-hop movement.
Common pulled songs from his 1994 album, “Resurrection” and took that all the way to his latest album “Universal Mind Control.”
It was songs like “Go,” “I Used to Love H.E.R.,” “Food For Funk,” “The Light,” “Come Close,” “Testify,” and “Universal Mind Control,” that drove the crowd into a frenzy, making the two-and-a-half hour wait well worth it in the end, despite cramped conditions and sore soles.
Not to mention, it was all for a good cause. Approximately $15,000 was raised and donated by Microsoft Windows to restore music education in public schools. VH1 Save the Music Foundation, who the check was presented to, will match the donations.
Some of the funds, according to a representative, are slated to go to the Los Angeles Unified School District as well as other public school districts throughout the country. In order to receive funds, the schools have to apply for grants from the foundation.
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