Miscellaneous - Lemon Grove, Exeter, 15/10/2004
by Benjamin Howarth
published: 9 / 10 / 2004

intro
Benjamin Howarth finds London hip-hop rapper Rahzel making a very bad personal impression as a person,yet also proving himself to be a unique perfomer at a gig in the Lemon Grove at Exeter University
Tonight, I learn three things about Rahzel. As a person, he makes a very bad impression. As a performer, he has room for improvement. Yet, as an artistic talent, he straddles godlike status. The debate that this poses is, should the first two facts mean that we ignore the man's musical expertise, or should we allow his talent to blind us to his negative aspects. Should we be prepared to offer Rahzel the benefit of the doubt? Rahzel's appearance was certainly something of a coup for our little campus venue, although holding a concert in Exeter, a town whose thirst for hip-hop is most certainly unquenched, makes for much more of an event than a London show, where performances by musicians as big or bigger than Rahzel are almost nightly occurrences. This meant that there was a genuinely excitable atmosphere tonight, and no one should be any doubt about whether the crowd were "up" for the gig, and whether they enjoyed it. That said, we cannot forget the flaws. Ignoring that Rahzel's priority seemed to be how best to take advantage of the Devon "talent", he has some pretty basic lessons to learn regarding how to develop and sustain momentum through a performance. He took far too long to get going, the standard took a deep dive as the conclusion neared, as he aimed for lowest-common-denominator dance hits rather than the cutting edge hip-hop he is capable of, and there were far too many pointless interludes (for example, handing out roses to the "ladies." I mean, why??) But, despite all the downsides, it was still a great gig. At their peak, Rahzel and his sidekick, DJ JS - 1, were revelatory. Skating confidently between technical sophistication and commercial accessibility, the music was fresh, fun and still innovative. Rahzel is a good rapper, if not a great one, and JS - 1 a genuinely great turntablist, but it was Rahzel's "human beat-box" guise we were all here for, and his takes on Kanye West, Jay-Z and Wu Tang Clan did not disappoint. Best of all, his version of the White Stripes' '7 Nation Army' had to be heard to be believed, although it did confirm that most of the crowd were, like myself, indie kids seeking to be eclectic. Sadly, the show was spoilt by one incident. Rahzel's petty insistence on the crowd not using cameras cumulated in one audience member being verbally attacked from the stage and forced to exit the show. Perhaps the offender could have been more respectful, and, indeed, no one can say they weren't glad to have Rahzel here or that his talent does not command respect, but I am not sure his star shines bright enough to excuse an ego quite so inflated. The conclusion? Rahzel makes great music, is a unique performer, and I am glad I can say I've seen him in the flesh. It still baffles me how he makes the sounds he does, and though not comparable to a Jimi Hendrix, he possesses a true gift. But, his personality spoilt a great event somewhat, which was quite a shame, but not a disaster (unless you were the guy who got thrown out...)
Picture Gallery:-


most viewed articles
current edition
Yardbirds - Interview with Jim McCartyPeter Doherty - Blackheath Halls, Blackheath and Palace Halls, Watford, 18/3/2025 and 21/3/2025
Johnny Cash - Video Vault
John Philip Shenale - Interview
Max Bianco and the BlueHearts - Troubadour, London, 29/3/2025
Armory Show - Interview with Richard Jobson
Deb Googe and Cara Tivey - Interview
Vapors - Interview
Loft - Interview
Waeve - Club Academy, Manchester, 18/3/2025
previous editions
Heavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EPPere Ubu - Interview with David Thomas
Cliff Richard and The Shadows - Comment
Ken Loach - Interview
Beautiful South - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Paul Clerehugh - Interview
Barrie Barlow - Interview
Allan Clarke - Interview
Pixies - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Trudie Myerscough-Harris - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Bryan Ferry and Amelia Barrett - Loose TalkIvor Game - When Will You Fall Into My Loving Arms?
Gabriel Moreno - Nights in the Belly of Bohemia
Doris Brendel and Lee Dunham - Big Blue Sky
Brooke Combe - Dancing at the Edge of the World
Bryan Adams - Live at the Royal Albert Hall 2024
Ringo Starr - Look Up
FKA twigs - Eusexua
Leon Bridges - Leon
Various - Ambientale
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart