Megan SallabedraMedusa, Dumfounded and Gizzle
6-21-12
See also: Koreatown rapper Dumbfoundead inspires a tremendous following with his unlikely story
Better than… your last visit from your fairy godmother.
The Crowd included a man who looked like Jesus: long brown hair, beard, long white dress.
Last night, for the second installment of Through the Mic: LACMA x Hip Hop (you can read our review of the first one here), it wasn't really clear what performers Medusa, Dumbfoundead and Gizzle had in common. Maybe it's the underdog thing — two women and one Asian dude rapper. Whatever the connection was, there was a little something for everyone in the crowd, Medusa's fans replacing Dumbfoundead's replacing Gizzle's in an organic exchange of coveted front-and-center spots.
Gizzle; Credit: Megan Sallabedra
Gizzle performed solo over some recorded beats. Her refrain “wake up, bake up and make money,” left something to be desired, but seemed to hit a chord with the audience. She performed a short set, and it should be noted that it is difficult to rap and crowd surf at the same time. Following her audacious stage dive, it's probably OK that she wrapped up things early with a freestyle. “I'm a 2XL to your medium attempt,” she rapped. The girl knows how to party.
Dumbfoundead (center) with Wax and Breezy Lovejoy; Credit: Megan Sallabedra
Dumbfoundead took the stage to loud cheers, accompanied by his DJ and a character named Breezy Lovejoy. Taking off right away into “Check it, they got these Asians stereotypes — what's with that? My dick's big, I drive good, and I suck at math,” set the tone for his set.
With “Bubba Kush's” refrain of “bubba bubba kush kush,” the crowd revved itself up. Breezy Lovejoy took a seat behind a drum set while the rest of Dumbfoundead's band took the stage — a man each on keyboards, bass and guitar. At one point welcoming up special guest Wax for “Guess Who,” the set coasted, concluding with crowd favorite “Are We There Yet.”
Medusa; Credit: Megan Sallabedra
After some technical difficulties with her DJ, who is known as Mistress, Medusa took the stage in red-rimmed sunglasses, a red hoodie, orange zip cargo pants and some very nice specimens of jewelry.
“Where you at West Coast?” she asked, and folks through up their “W's.” It was quickly clear: The woman has pipes. Resounding operatic riffs wafted over poignant lyrics spat out with the precision of, well, a striking snake: “License plate got a Cali frame, rep L.A. with West Coast slang.” A seriousness persisted through her set, but it was fun and offered up hints of nostalgia as well. Holding the crowd in suspension and rapt attention, the gangsta goddess left the stage to a shower of free CDs.
See also: Koreatown rapper Dumbfoundead inspires a tremendous following with his unlikely story
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