The Rap Pack Brings "Swagga" To Grammy Stage
The Grammy's isn't over yet, but I just watched my favorite part, the performance of T.I.'s "Swagga Like Us" featuring Kanye West, Jay-Z, Lil' Wayne and the pregnant M.I.A.
"Swagga Like Us" is my favorite song of 2008 and from the moment I heard it I thought it was a great idea to pull the "swagga like us" sample from M.I.A.'s "Paper Planes." M.I.A.'s high-pitched melodic voice, the militaristic track and rhymes from four of hip-hop's biggest MCs had no chance of failing.
How appropriate to have the former rapper turned Oscar-nominated actress Queen Latifah introduce the performance and dub them the Rap Pack, a fitting comparison to the Rat Pack.
Shown through black and white lenses, the set opens with a
pregnant M.I.A., whose due date is actually today, dressed in arguably the most
inappropriate outfit a performing pregnant mother could ever wear-a black sheer
bodysuit with polka dot circles covering her chest, belly and backside. One
good verse into her hit "Paper Planes" the curtains behind her open to reveal
the superstar rappers and the tune switches to "Swagga Like Us."
Building on the their comparison to 50s Hollywood elite gang of Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop, the Grammy stage is made up like a big band set, a band housed in an orchestra section and all.
All donning tuxedos, Kanye was up first, exuding enough
confidence to momentarily take the emphasis off his New Edition-like
mullet, semi-Mohawk shag. The hype ensues as Jay-Z, Wayne and T.I. take center stage, spewing
their verses and owning the Grammy moment.
There was so much energy I would not be surprised if M.I.A. exited only to head to the hospital to deliver that baby that had just been a part of hip-hop history.
1) The best song of the year is still someone else's beat.
2) Such low self esteem that all they can rap about is swagger.
3) Every year rap music gets more amateurish.
What happened to all the promise Rap showed with groups like Public Enemy? Last nights rat pack was aptly named because it smelled like something from the sewer instead of what rap should have evolved into over the last thirty years.
Even PE sampled others music.
2) Such low self esteem that all they can rap about is swagger.
Having swagger is all about high self esteem.
3) Every year rap music gets more amateurish.
I kind of agree with number 3.
But anyway, I thought overall it was pretty good, but at times lacked the punch it should have packed.
And btw, isn't it about time they stopped singing about "swagga"...I mean, seriously you guys...
Where's Diddy ?
I loved the performance, in my opinion it was the best performance of the night. Kanye, Lil Wayne, Jay Z, and TI are my 4 favorite rappers and it was AMAZING watching them perform this song. Gave me chills. Just incredible.