I was looking forward to seeing Little Simz and Anderson .Paak at the Theatre at Ace Hotel in Los Angeles. It’s a beautiful venue and feels intimate. I knew that no matter where my seat was I would have an amazing experience. To my amazement and great fortune, I was sitting in the FIRST row. Yup, very first. I was psyched.
I arrived just as Little Simz began. I was introduced to her music by way of Gilles Peterson. She‘s a 22 year old rapper from England and she was on. This woman can bring it. Killer beats and a great story.
She told the story of a song called “God Bless Mary,” which she wrote about her neighbor. It is her thank you and apology to her neighbor for not calling the cops on the loud music she used to play at all hours of the night, every night. For me, the stand out from her set was “Dead Body.”
Anderson .Paak came onto the stage with a stunt. An MC appeared saying they couldn’t find him and then security guards came running down the aisle chasing and tackling him. I thought it was a bit cheesy but that’s where the cheese was left.
This guy was on fire and his band, The Free Nationals, were on point. The show was CRAZY. You must see him live if you’re a fan or if you don’t know him and you’re into funk, soul, rock, hip-hop madness. The energy and electricity, the power this guy has expressing himself is stunning. He’s soulful and electric. The crowd was going absolutely bananas. I didn’t realize he played drums. He can bang out beats and keep the swagger…and he has some serious swag. Every time I thought “this moment must be the high point” he just kept bringing it and the energy didn’t stop. I imagine the after party in LA (where he’s from) was at least two days long.
He even brought out a few special guests! T.I. came out for a verse on “Come Down” and Black Thought from the Roots came out to perform “The Seed.”
The show was E P I C. So much talent attended the show as well, including Syd the Kyd from the Internet, Questlove, P Diddy, and Dave Chappelle. There was an energy that was truly palpable.
– Submitted by Linda Kennedy, Music Design