Hip Hop Karaoke: Downtown Toronto (Revival) Review

On one of the coldest days of the year, Revival, at College & Shaw, couldn’t have been any hotter inside. Not only was it packed to brim (as I walked in only 30 minutes late, which, for a hip hop show, is nothing), but the energy and buzz that surrounded the venue was ecstatic and heart warming. Funny, seeing everyday people that walk the streets of Toronto (and New York, more on that later) tear it up on the microphone and cut up a rug on the stage seemed so much more enjoyable and satisfying than seeing your favourite singer on stage lip-sync. Hip Hop Karaoke is 100% authentic. It is THAT authenticity that allows you to be yourself; in the crowd, at the bar, on the stage, or like me, on the side of the stage (taking notes). It was some of the most fun I’ve had and seen other people have in a really long time and we owe it all to Hip Hop.

At the end of the day, that’s what it is all about right? Hip Hop. No doubt, the cats inside the venue agreed with me by taking on joints like the Ice T classic, “I’m Your Pusher,” and the dominant LL banger, “Mama Said Knock You Out.” On the former, a cat by the name of The Count effortlessly and flawless went through 4 verses of a song that I’m pretty sure a few heads didn’t know, but still couldn’t help but appreciate. Amphibious MC did justice to the LL classic and threw in a little “gangsta boogie” of his own for the crowd’s enjoyment. Another bright spot came from the very talented cat, Rhino aka Noah, who joined the NYC native and NY HHK regular, Doni D, to perform “Luchini.” The NYC to T-Dot connection was aesthetically pleasing to the ears, as the top notch impersonations Cheeba and Suede provided more of that authenticity mentioned earlier.

Shawn Jay, the eldest of the aforementioned New York heads that came down for the show claimed that “[Hip Hop Karaoke] is a vehicle for moving the love of hip hop.” At 34 years of age, he could attest to the importance of the art: “Hip Hop these days is all about out-flossing the other artists, that’s not right. It’s all about hip hop and the love for hip hop.” Shawn also provided us with an interesting story about Brooklyn MC, Talib Kweli: “He’s a friend of mine, and I also mentioned to him that he should come out and do one of these Hip Hop shows. His PR said it was all lined up and ready to go, but he still hasn’t shown up to do one.”

Wouldn’t that be great for the HHK movement? Nevertheless, the beauty in Hip Hop Karaoke lies in the evident fun and happiness displayed. Whether it is the BFF’s doing their own rendition of “Shoop,” and sexier interpretation of “Doin’ It” by Mandy, or the lyrics machine, Howard, doing “Bust a Move,” or even the decorative, dedicated and creative approach by John M to “Parents Just Don’t Understand,” HHK is an extreme amount of fun loaded with an audience whose hearts pump hip hop. It’s beautiful.

Props to Tomas Morrison for the photos!