Hip-Hop Show Review: JROD & CONCEPT

July 9th, 2010

Yaz's Place

(Quincy, MA)

Tim - Ricky told me about this show, due to the fact his boy JRod was performing. I’ve never heard of JRod, Concept, or even Yaz’s Place for that matter. Ultimately, I had no idea what to expect of the night. I met Ricky, with Jon in tow, around 9 o’clock thinking the show would start somewhat soon after that. However, we were all wrong. I wasn’t too mad waiting for the show to start, because I had a few cocktails and chicken fingers to hold me over. Plus DJ Motion was keeping me occupied bumping my head to some good beats. Yaz’s place wasn’t a bad joint for never being there, but regardless I was getting anxious for this show to start. If it wasn’t for the food, drinks, Ricky and co., and the DJ, I would have fell asleep standing up. Then finally 11 o’clock rolls around and JRod is the first act to go. Ricky did notify me, the reason it took so long to start up was due to the fact the other acts were arriving late. Concept was supposed to be the headliner at his farewell show for the time being. So I give big props to Concept for stepping up and entertaining the crowd that was their waiting for him, instead of waiting for these other acts to show up.

Ricky - Now I automatically liked the bar this was at. You had mad dudes with their colors on, a row of bikes out front and club members for security. I was only made happier when I received a jack and coke nice and strong with a bendy straw (big up to Yaz's). Now this show would have been perfect had the other acts showed up on time. Instead the more entertaining acts were pushed to the beginning and stuck with short sets.Big up to do DJ Motion for keeping us entertained. So like Tim I’ll review the people worth reviewing.


JRod (Randolph, MA)

Tim - First up was Ricky’s boy, JRod. JRod was a nice dude talking to us before the show along with Concept. I was eager just to get this kid on stage, because your boy was getting restless. The only thing I didn’t like about JRods performance was that he only did three songs. I don’t know if it was a time thing, or he didn’t have other songs to play, but regardless he had me wanting more. His act was like giving candy to a baby and taking it away, just wanting more. I liked the way he flowed very fast, but you could understand his words. A lot of rappers these days try to spit that fast shit, but can’t understand what they’re even saying. JRod, I give you the props you deserve, but like what me and Ricky were saying, you deserve to be on bigger and better stages. Keep doing what you’re doing and I’ll hopefully be seeing more of you down the road.

Ricky - Now I’ve known this dude forever and he's impressed me since the first time I’ve heard him with a collective of old friends called "The Grain". Always a dude with a sharp witted flow, he’s been a monster from the beginning and I think he's on his way to big things. Now I was not surprised when dude came out and killed it right from the first track. He seems so comfortable up on that stage I think it's what adds to the point Tim made about his flow being fast but understandable. I think some cats are so nervous they just blurt out there lines, but JRod most definitely has his live show down. THIS SET WAS TOO SHORT! I was bummed when he announced the last song but it only left me wanting more and damn sure cementing that I’ll be going to more of his live shows.

JRod - JRod on Facebook


Concept (Brockton, MA)

Ricky - Now I met this dude through Facebook after seeing JRod on the show, I put his flyer up and we talked a bit before the show. Now I felt bad that dude had to go second on his last show he was gonna be putting on for awhile, but I respect the hell out of a guy who's gonna give the people in the audience what they want and isn’t gonna keep them waiting like some diva. Then without hesitation dude got on stage and ripped it. For me and Tim this was both our first time seeing Concept, and we were both pleasantly surprised. All I kept asking myself is "Why haven’t I heard this dude before?" It's so rare for a Brockton cat to bring that much to the table with lyrical skill and showmanship. The set only got better with the addition of JRod and Mykel who showed that this team has definitely arrived. Once again this was another set cut painfully short by other late ass acts. I know Concept is taking a break from putting on shows but if I have anything to do with it won’t be the last he performs. Go out and support both of these acts.

Tim - Concept was up next, hailing from the Boogie Down Brockton. I never heard of this dude, and why would I? This is why we do what we do, is to learn about rappers you don’t know that deserve respect. I didn’t know what to think of Concept at first, this dude came with a massive bike crew and a pretty good following for a place like Yaz’s. So in my mind, this guy had to have something to even have that type of crowd at a local Quincy bar and hailing from Brockton. I noticed he messes with JRod on a few of his tracks on his CD “Cause I Can” and got to see the two perform as well with their special guest - Mykel. Mykel was a good addition to their songs, had that soulful R&B feel to some of their jams. Concept has been through a lot of shit and you can just tell by the way he raps, acts and preaches through his words on stage. I was a big fan of his final song, a song about his late Grandfather and a tribute to his Grandmother, a song anyone can relate to. Concept did a great job on his performance, the only thing I wasn’t a fan was some of the songs were a little too short for my liking. Like JRod, I didn’t know if it was a time thing or what, but I just wanted more from the dude Concept. I know Concept is taking a little break in the game, but doesn’t mean you still can’t check out his music. Keep doing what you doing Concept.

Concept - http://www.reverbnation.com/concept508


Tim - After Concept, the other acts finally came, but I couldn’t care less. If you’re not going to be on time, I’m not going to take the time to listen. I was beat regardless and just wanted to get home and snooze. So thanks again to the dudes JRod and Concept for putting on a solid show in the great city of Quincy, keep up the hustle.