KRS-One, Jungle Brothers coming to Musica in February
Akron-based urban arts and entertainment company Keepers of the Art Inc. is bringing veteran hip-hop acts KRS-One and the Jungle Brothers to Akron on Feb. 22 to perform at Musica.
Both acts gained prominence in the 1980s when the still-growing genre’s biggest stars were mostly from the East or West coasts.
Bronx-bred emcee KRS-One, leader of Boogie Down Productions, dropped hip-hop classics such as the group’s 1987 debut album “Criminal Minded” and its follow-up “By All Means Necessary.”
Boogie Down Productions eschewed the growing trend toward violence and misogyny-filled lyrics instead offering what KRS-One dubbed “Edutainment,” a mix of rap braggadocio, black empowerment and pride and calls to question the establishment.
Songs such as “Jimmy,” which promoted safe sex practices, and the self-explanatory “Stop the Violence” were the group’s norm.
The Jungle Brothers — Mike Gee, Afrika Baby Bam and DJ Sammy B — and the trio’s debut album, “Straight Out the Jungle,” spearheaded the Native Tongue Collective that would grow to include other conscious rap artists such as Queen Latifah, De La Soul, Tribe Called Quest and Monie Love and Black Sheep.
Lyrically, the “JB’s” songs such as “Black Is Black” promoted nonviolence, presented with a spiritual Afrocentric and playful vibe.
Musically, the Jungle Brothers and Native Tongues were the first to stretch out past James Brown and familiar breakbeat samples to incorporate jazz, fusion and other genres. The group’s song “I’ll House You” is noted as the first song non-Chicago-based House song, helping to introduce the genre to many new listeners.
KRS-One has performed in Akron a few times including as being one of the headliners of Keepers of the Arts Hip Hop Showcase at Lock 3 Park in 2009.
What: KRS-One, The Jungle Brothers and DJ Rawls
When: 9 p.m. Feb. 22
Where: Musica, 51 E.Market St., Akron
Tickets: $15
Information: Celebrityetc.com