Straight Outta Hologrampton: Eazy-E & ODB Hologram Performances Reignite Debate Posted by Lucas Garrison on 09/09/13 | Filed under Opinion, Debates, Eazy-E, ODB

While it might feel like years ago, it was only last April when the world was rocked by hologram Tupac’s performance at Coachella. The response (and backlash) to the Tupac performance was astounding. Many thought it was very cool and a great way for us to see an artist who we can never see live, but there was a large contingent of people who thought it was disrespectful and feared for more, less authentic and unoriginal hologram performances. The conversation seemed to die down and holograms didn’t really take off the way some predicted, but now, Rock The Bells is bringing the hologram back.  Over the weekend at the San Bernardino leg of the festival, Rock The Bells featured two hologram performances from ODB and Eazy-E.

 

 

Is it cool seeing these guys (sort of) back on stage? Yes, but by no means am I blown away and, frankly, I think its better we lay these holograms to rest. The Tupac one made such an impact because it was totally unexpected and unlike anything we have seen before; Coachella captured lightning in a bottle. The Pac hologram was so successful because it felt more natural and less like a staged gimmick. As cool as it was seeing ODB and Easy-E on stage, it just didn’t have the same power as the Tupac performance. It was a nice tribute, especially considering Bone Thugs and Wu-Tang were a part of it, but this just seems a little forced or flat to me.

I am not one of those people who things its sacrilegious to have hologram performances, but for the most part, the idea is just underwhelming. No disrespect to E or ODB, but since they are gone, I really don’t want to see them perform. If I were at rock the Bells, I would feel a little cheated. I paid good money to see live music and these hologram’s aren’t real people performing. If I wanted to see a video of ODB or Eazy perform—which is essentially what these are…glorified videos—I could hop on the internet. I came to Rock The Bells for real performances not to see a motion limited hologram perform a recorded verse; it takes the personal connection out of the live performance aspect.

Also, You have to be very careful when it comes to using a deceased legend’s name or face and if anything goes wrong in the performance (as many things did with Wu-Tang’s set at RTB) it reflects poorly on the name of the hologram performer and, to me, that is not a risk worth taking. The idea is cool, but the execution and moment just don’t seem right here. The Rock The Bells holograms and the idea in general doesn’t have nor canit  have that same awe-inspiring mystique as the Pac hologram so why even try?

Also, I worry this opens the doors for more hologram performances, which might not go over so well. I would hate to see this get to the point where the likes of Biggie, Big L, or Aaliyah are exploited for nothing more than promotional shtick to get tweets, page views, or asses in seats.  What do you think RefinedHype Nation? Are you into these hologram performances, or should they be put to rest?

See Also:  General Awesomeness Or Fail: Ol’ Dirty Bastard & Eazy-E To Perform At Rock The Bells As Holograms