F**k the VIP: Real Hip-Hop Lives in the Crowd Posted by CPT on 04/02/13 | Filed under Opinion, Welcome to Compton

(VIP section with Diddy, or seventh circle of hell?)

Last week, I headed out to see Schoolboy Q perform at NYC’s legendary SOB’s. Two sold out shows in a row means crowds, attitude, basically a fuckin zoo. That is, unless you’re VIP, which I received a phone call saying I could access if I so choose. Here’s why I passed on the offer of early access and a balcony view.

I’ve done VIP many times before, and I’ve done General Admission (GA) many, many times before. As a music writer, every so often I’ll flex the little muscle I have to gain exclusive access at parties, concerts, premiers etc. Honestly, shit ain’t that deep. Now, if I’m going with the intention of an interview, of course I want in. Also, if it’s an artist/ event I don’t know/ care much about, I’ll do the whole VIP thing just to make for a quick in and out. But when it comes to me going to a show with an artist I love just for the experience? Fuck VIP!

Have you looked upstairs at the pricks in VIP (myself included sometimes)? WTF are they doing? On their phones tweeting and texting, not paying attention, drinking their free Patron shots (ok, that part is pretty dope), totally disinterested in the artist or the music. Even if they’re not running their mouth the whole time, they just stand there with the “did I leave the stove on” face, no rapping along, no head nod, no movement?? The fuck? Yet, they want to be seen! They want you to know just how much fun they are NOT having, but at least they can sit on the hard stools while GA has waited in line for an hour, waited inside the venue for another hour (you know rappers don’t start shit on time, EVER) and will leave with their feet feeling like they just walked on hot coals. Don’t get me started on chicks who wear heels to concerts, smh. They deserve the forecoming blisters.

GA involves a lot of waiting around, drink spilling, coat check mix ups, debo’ing your way to the front, potential fights from someone stepping on my new J’s, a lot of hassle, granted. But when it comes down to the music? There’s nothing like being surrounded by hip-hop heads who all revel in the talent of a certain MC, the call and response relationship with the crowd. Not to mention, fuck a balcony, I’m so close I can thief this niggas shoes if I wanted! It’s about an energy you get from the monitors being 10 feet away, to hear the growl in their voice, seeing the sweat pour off a great performer, all experiences that VIP are too distracted to even take in.

When it comes to shows with artists I love, especially those with crazy live shows (i.e. Busta, Kendrick, Odd Future, Slaughterhouse) comfort isn’t a priority. I’m still young enough to deal with the hassle that comes with GA, and it’s worth every minute of it. No doubt when I hit a certain age and my bones start to crack for no reason, I may make that transition, but for now I gotta catch Tyler before he hits the ground, and make sure Crooked I sees me rapping every syllable of this obscure freestyle I found last week. Because I’d rather be in my Adidas hoodie and Compton fitted, going ape shit in the crowd than look like a swagless, Sears mannequin upstairs.

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See Also:  Welcome to Compton: I Want That Old Snoop Dogg Back