Top 10 Live Performers of 2008

by Sean Deez on December 30, 2008

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10. Blu

So, pure skill gets you a really dope show because of how unbelievable the spectacle of great rhyming is. Why don’t people understand this? No gimmicks, no flash, no nothing, just pure skill and love for hip hop gets you a spot in this top 10.

9. Elzhi

See above. The one spot higher attributes to the fact that songs like “Guessing Game” and “Goatit” are pretty unreal live. Elzhi makes it look much too easy.

Black Milk/Elzhi Show Review

8. Kanye West

While the above two didn’t have much flash or flare in their acts, Kanye has plenty. Sure, the spaceship works, but, it was really the whole “Glow in the Dark” experience that was great. Kanye certainly loves his craft and aside from his really random rants of telling people in Canada that we could be president of our country (huh?!), the man puts on a great show.

Glow In The Dark Show Review

7. The Roots

They are pretty much always a candidate for this list. Why are they so low this time though? Well, its funny how much “hub” contributes to a live show. Not only that though, I guess I’ve seen them so many times by now that, even though I’m still amazed, I’m not as amazed.

6. Wax

Dropping his acoustic performance at live shows seemed to be the biggest surprise for most. The sharp tongue, lyrically diverse MC can hit the sensitive side with his guitar and also keep plenty of emotion when he does a mellow version of “Adventures of Larry and Tina.” Throw on the dope lyrics and complex performance and its rawness tied with some appreciative multi-talent.

5. The Knux

Pained me to see them without a live band because their stuff screams for a live band performance, but it was ridiculous how impressed I was with their performance. Tons of energy generated from them got people under rocks to get up and dance. Their personalities shine on stage and they are very likable people. Hard to hate.

The Knux with Q-Tip & The Cool Kids Show Review

4. Murs

For an “underground” rapper, he surely is liked by plenty of people. Even with the wide release drop of Murs for President, Murs remained true to form at Rock The Bells and touring around on his own. One of the dopest, most energetic solo acts I’ve ever witnessed. Once again, he is another act who is so likable up on stage. This translates into such an enjoyable performance and a even with a CD player as his DJ, he still was more professional and live than Rakim.

Rock The Bells Toronto Review

3. Phonte

The man can do it all on stage. He did it in 2007 and again in 2008. Phonte is a showman with tons of professionalism with his fans always in mind. He’s a comedian, a politician, a critic, a singer, a rapper, a beatboxer, a DJ, you name it. It would be unfair not to include him up on here.

Little Brother Show Review

2. Redman & Method Man

They completely shut the place down at pretty much every Rock The Bells show they did. To make it even better, they toured only a few weeks later and shut it down even more. With a performance that is still really hard to be put into words, the dynamic duo really have their own style and a passion and love for performing that I have never seen on any other act. Seeing them live should be on your bucket list.

Rock The Bells Toronto Review

1. Q-Tip (Alongside A Tribe Called Quest & Solo)

Fully equipped with a live band, Tip’s production shines when the power of the drums, soul of the horns, and extra kick of the bass are all the more paramount. Throw onto that the energy and passion Q-Tip evidently has up on stage, and you got one hell of a live show. He might drop a beat break on his beat machine, he might play a few of the instruments, he might jump into the crowd and walk around, and regardless of what he does he’ll put on a great show. Seeing Phife live might’ve been one of the most touching moments I experienced in 2008. It was all the better seeing him rock a red Chris Bosh jersey and kick it with Jarobi and Ali up on stage with him.

Q-Tip Live in Ft. Lauderdale Video Footage

Honorable Mentions

  • Common
  • The Pharcyde
  • Supernatural
  • Atmosphere
  • Peanut Butter Wolf

Related posts:

  1. Top 10 New/Breakthrough Artists of 2008
  2. Top 10 Mixtape/Remix Albums of 2008
  3. Top 10 Trends/Phases in 2008
  4. Top 10 Most Anticipated Albums for 2008
  5. Jay-Z: Live in Glastonbury

Follow: Sean Deez on Twitter


Posted in Exclusive,Lists

  • Freddie C

    I saw Meth and Red in 07, pure dope. saw them again in 08 at Rock the Bells, it was mostly Redman as Meth was late. Didn’t care, the 3 songs they did together shut it down

    being on stage with Little Brother was a trip and a half. Phonte puts everything he’s got into the show and seemed unfazed by the less-than-perfect equipment at the small theatre we were at. instead of complaining about it like other artists (not naming names…ok fine, KANYE), he just went with the flow and didn’t trip.

    MURS could cause a riot if he wanted to. he almost DID cause a riot when he said he probably wasn’t going to do “L.A.” He did perform it, of course. He had the crowd in the palm of his hand at Rock the Bells. I almost fainted when he brought out DJ Quik

  • http://myspace.com/remotmusic Deez

    Fred, I heard about that DJ Quik bring out hahaha, apparently he just did a walk and went back in

  • Freddie C

    pshh, he wouldn’t dare try that in Cali. He did a few songs at the show I was at

  • http://myspace.com/remotmusic Deez

    did you peep his joint off of the Maroon 5?

  • Word

    Still kicking myself for not seeing the legendary roots crew this year… saw 5 of 10, not bad ’08 season for me though.

  • http://myspace.com/remotmusic Deez

    I really should’ve made a mention that this is the last time you’ll see the roots LIVE for a while as they trail on for the Jimmy Fallon stuff

  • Freddie C

    nah, my only exposure to Maroon 5 is when they were performing a the Cal State Fair years ago and i happened to be there that day. apparently, ladies LOVE Maroon 5

  • http://myspace.com/remotmusic Deez

    you need to step up your Maroon game man. The Cali connection was far and Quik gave them one of the funkiest beats in a long long time

  • A

    Jay-z????

  • http://kevinnottingham.com Kevin

    Deez will never put Jay-Z on any of his lists… lol.

  • jayski

    I would put Busta on my list everytime he’s a lil chubby now lol but still has mad energy. If Kanye reads this list you might be receiving a call from him for having number 8 lol

  • Corey

    Glad to see MURS make the list.
    Didn’t see him at RTB, but saw him in Philly for the MURS For President tour, and his set was almost an hour and 15 minutes long. It was absolutely insane.

  • http://theliberatorsofhiphop.com Matchz

    The KNUX = TRASH. Murs = a borefest when I saw him in concert this year. And I dont think you should have mentioned Phonte without Big Pooh. They held there own this year on that Murs tour, Pooh, Scudda & Chaundon. Definitely a lot of energy and way more than Murs who spend half his time talking about Talib Kweli for no apparent reason.

  • http://myspace.com/remotmusic Deez

    little do you know kev!

    But Jay-z and Nas kind of go hand in hand with their live stuff. ITs more or less their presence that is so amazing. Jay also brings out loads and loads of guests and has tons of flash and flare on his stuff.. that ain’t fair!

    At least kanye does all of that while being a great performer.. jay-z is lazy on stage

  • http://myspace.com/remotmusic Deez

    lol Jay.. I think even if i put kanye and number 1, he’d call.. I’m a critic, so I can eat shit

    Matchz, I don’t understand your logic here. Why are the knux “trash”?

    LOL I heard about Murs talking about Kweli though.. I’d love for you to elaborate on that, I’ve heard bits and pieces of it. And Pooh isn’t singing, isn’t telling jokes.. Phonte was all over the place. In my review of their show though, i did mention Pooh coming out into the crowd

  • http://theliberatorsofhiphop.com Matchz

    Just to name a few things. He “claimed” Mos Def put him on. I believe the way he worded it was “I didnt have Mos Def to make me popular and put me on”

    Even though Murs had Slug & Living Legends to put him on.

    Then he proceeded to crack jokes about the way Kweli rhymes, talking about he rhymes like he is running down a hill reallly really fast.

    It just all seemed out of the blue, and it didnt appear jokingly to me honestly.

    My brother who didnt attend the same concert as me, said at concerts he’s been to see murs before hes acted the same way bitching about other rappers.

    Note: I thought I had wrote all about it on my blog but apparently I didnt. I know I wrote everything he said somewhere so I’ll look for it for you

  • http://theliberatorsofhiphop.com Matchz

    Oh and about the Knux… They remind me of a fake Cool Kids….

  • http://ketchup-plz.blogspot.com Sleaze

    matchz u buggin by hating on the knux. they sound nothing like the cool kids.

  • http://ketchup-plz.blogspot.com Sleaze

    Then he proceeded to crack jokes about the way Kweli rhymes, talking about he rhymes like he is running down a hill reallly really fast.

    that is kinda funny and true tho

  • http://myspace.com/remotmusic Deez

    I dont see why it would be serious though. Their ties aren’t that far apart.. they both have some sorta link with 9th

  • http://myspace.com/remotmusic Deez

    and madlib

  • http://www.myspace.comflamesyall FlamesYall

    OK, so here in the UK I only managed one show!! It was Public Enemy playing ‘Nation Of Millions’ from beginning to end, including skits and ad libs, with Griff and S1Ws. Absolutely fucking amazing. Also the Scroobius Pip Vs Dan Le Sac live show. Banging.

    PS, Jay Z rocked Glastonbury.

  • http://www.myspace.com/s2ita S.2

    I’m amped cos Murs is comin to Sydney in a less than 2 weeks! Even better its only like 20 bucks. Thats sick considering most hip hop acts that come over here charge at least 60 and up to 140.

    As for him and Kweli havin a beef (if they even do), who really cares. If theyve got a problem for whatever reason then thats their business. I don’t understand why fans act like they have to take sides.

    I like both of them, but I like Murs more. But that doesn’t mean that now I’m gonna be like: “Oh Murs doesn’t like Kweli? Oh ok. I better stop listening to Kweli now. Yeah fuck Kweli”.

    Thats just stupid and lame lol

  • http://kevinnottingham.com Thomas

    The only people I’ve seen live on this list are Mef and Redman and The Roots.

    I’ve seen Busta, Jay-Z, Wu-Tang, Cee-Lo, Nas, and Shyne live.

    I would have to say that The Roots are amazing live and Busta brought energy every time I seen him. These other folks have to be something special to be ahead of The Roots.

    Now I’ve seen Nas once (during Stillmatic) at the 9:30 Club in DC and I was disappointed. $40 for 40 mins. My face was tight.

    Now Deez you know talking about Jay-Z is a no-no. LOL.

    I wouldn’t call Jay a lazy performer. He is good at connecting to the crowd. He fully involves the crowd and you can tell (from the performances that I’ve seen) that he rehearsed his routine. Lyrics were flawless. Yeah he has lots of guest…but that’s the star power that he has…he can get just about anybody to his show. He brought Michael Jackson out on stage for heaven’s sake.

  • http://www.myspace.com/skillz_202 J. Rizzle

    I was blessed to see the Roots & Erykah Badu in concert this past year , it was the best !!! Better than Mary J. Blige & Jay Z concert eventho’ it was good it can’t match the before mentioned concert…those 2 together Badu & The Roots put on a helluva show :-)

  • http://www.myspace.com/skillz_202 J. Rizzle

    I forgot to mention “Black Thought” is one of the most underrated MCs in the game…Dude doesn’t get the respect that he deserves.

  • eA

    Nas has never completely had me at his shows, and I feel like it gets worse every year. When you have an artist that knows they can do whatever they’d please [i.e. show up an hour and a half+ late & put on a 60 minute show or hold out the mic to the crowd for 80% of the songs], and people will still buy you’re album, it usually leads to a bad live performance.

    On that note, MURS is too personable. Love him. I love how he broke out a burnt CD of his own music and put it in himself at RTB Toronto, hahahha.

  • skeme

    best performance i seen this year was brought by DJ SHADOW AND CUT CHEMIST “hard sell” tour..that show was amazing..ROOTS never disappoint..man i miss JURASSIC 5 live shows

  • http://myspace.com/remotmusic Deez

    if i could’ve included a 6th honourable mention, I’ll be honest, I’d probably put Jay-z. or as Skeme mentioned, Cut Chemist and DJ Shadow.. goddamn

    Jay-z does have a power with the crowd, and certainly that should warrant for something, but I feel like he’s the yankees, he buys his position lol. He has a lot of flash and flare with this stuff and I don’t buy it. Murs on the other hand..has his hair.

    Nas, DOES perform a ton of Illmatice stuff.. just hearing those Premier beats live make me Jizz…In…My Pants..

  • Justin Time

    Yo I peeped Little Brother this year twice and they killed it as well as Red & Meth and Tribe at RTB Tour in B-More but No way in hell Kanye should be #8. He gotta be in the top 3. His show is a experience. No hype man, no outfit changes. Just him rockin for 2 hours

  • Preem

    Wow.

    Either uve never seen a good Roots show or ur insane. Same with Kanye. Those two should be top 5, shit, top 3.
    Maybe they just dont love T.O like they do Mtl. Lol.

  • Sean Deez

    says the only guy in Toronto who liked Mos Def’s performance

  • Preem

    Lol. U make it seem like I loved it. It was ok.

    For real though, anyone over The Roots live is bullshit. Anyone.

    And Kanye at GITD was outta this world.

  • http://www.myspace.com/jfizzthenomads J Fizz

    i went to rock the bells in Northern California. Although i like the old tribe probably more than red and meth i dont think they were as good live.. They were great but red and meth fucken killed it, i was 10 feet away and it was awesome , they had the entire place screamin goin crazy…. After hearing perform his songs from docs da name and muddy waters it made me replay those albums and realize how actually tight he is…

  • Sean Deez

    well, i feel like i justified why the roots were moved down a lil bit

    I’ve seen them plenty of times, and I mean, while they are GREAT.. every time… Rising Down isn’t exactly loaded with tremendous material

  • Walekilla

    No mention of the entire QN5 camp is a disgrace. (CunninLynguists, Tonedeff, PackFM, Substantial) Those brothas have been tearing down the house for years. YouTube any of them.

  • CreativeHustler

    Another dope end of year list! would love to see Tribe and Little Brother rock London at some point.Saw the Roots last month, didn’t blow my mind like they did 1st time around but a great show nontheless. Thought Meth & Red had the best live show of last year with Jigga a close second. Time for shameless self promotion now lol, wrote reviews for both shows – links below, check em out
    peace
    http://www.spoonfed.co.uk/spooners/creativehustlersince82-819/method-man-and-redman-live-233/
    http://www.spoonfed.co.uk/spooners/creativehustlersince82-819/jay-z-at-the-wireless-festival-324/

  • http://kevinnottingham.com Sean Deez

    dope stuff CH!

  • CreativeHustler

    Cheers Sean! got a Rae and Ghost gig review up there too – Rae has gotta be one of the lamest live performers I have seen!, Ghost was dope as ever but a disappointing show. Gotta write me a Roy Ayers gig review round about now so I’m ghost like Swayze!
    peace

  • http://kevinnottingham.com Sean Deez

    CH>. i heard Rae is awwwwwwwwwful live

  • http://www.myspace.com/skidflow Skidmatik

    I dont care what year you talking about…this list should be revised because KRS-1 is the dopest live performer EVER!…just had to throw it out there.

  • http://kevinnottingham.com Sean Deez

    are you sure?

    what about when he came to Toronto and decided to end his show early because it was too hot on stage?

    yeah, real showmanship from my favourite MC ever.

    Don’t even get me started on how bad Rakim was

  • http://www.myspace.com/skidflow Skidmatik

    ^^^
    DAMN…THE TEACHER DID THAT? MUST BE GETTIN OLD…YOU KNOW YOU HAVE HOT FLASHES WHEN YOU GET OLD LIKE THAT…FROM WHAT I HEAR HOT FLASHES ARE TORTURE TO THE OLDER FOLKS. (NO DISRESPECT TO KRS-1)LOL! YOU GUYS MISSED OUT THOUGH…HE ROCKED IT EVERYTIME…HE CAN ACTUALLY ROCK A CROWD WITHOUT SAYING ONE RHYME…HE GETS THE CROWD INVOLVED AT HIS SHOWS AND ITS ACTUALLY FUN. (SORRY ABOUT THE CAPS)

  • CreativeHustler

    I saw KRS live a few years back, he tore the place down – probably the best rapper I have ever seen on stage! on the opposite end of the scale, Rae is the WORST – its was like he had concrete in his kicks and had thanksgiving turkey everyday whilst on tour lol

  • http://kevinnottingham.com Sean Deez

    you definitely gotta be in shape to do these live shows up

    either wise you are just standing there. Pooh ain’t the greatest in shape guy, but man, he’s a great performer. Just that when he’s next to phonte, really hard to keep up with that man. I think lAnce Armstrong would have a tough time keeping up with Phonte

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