Run-DMC show overpowers audience with “˜80s hip hop
By Daily Bruin Staff
May 14, 2001 9:00 p.m.
 MARY HOLSCHER Joseph Simmons of Run-DMC
lays down a rhyme for the Westwood Plaza crowd on Friday
evening.
By Antero Garcia
Daily Bruin Senior Staff
Thanks goodness for all of that security.
After a week of cultural performances from around the globe,
WorldFest ended on Friday in grand fashion with none other than the
kings of rock themselves ““ Run-DMC.
While the crowd was a bit larger than usual for a Westwood Plaza
concert, this may have simply been due to the fact that nearly a
third of the people in attendance were fitted in yellow security
jackets. However, the guards seemed unnecessary since there were no
security problems at all during the group’s set.
Instead, all of the problems that occurred were related to the
power and sound quality of the show. The group’s performance
was postponed by an excruciatingly long mic check during which
technicians attempted to fix feedback. Technical aspects of the
show would still prove to be problematic through Run-DMC’s
set.
Finally, after seeming to accomplish nothing during the sound
check, Jam Master Jay, wearing his classic brimmed hat, took his
position behind the “wheels of steel.” Pumping up the
crowd with typical hip-hop call and response phrases, Jay
officially kicked off the show with his busy old school scratches
and shout-outs.
“Put ’em up,” Jay ordered, and the crowed
dutifully threw its hands in the air.
Jay’s opening segment was filled with the usual aspects of
live hip-hop shows, such as the DJ asking the common B-boy trivia
question, “What’s my name?”
 MARY HOLSCHER Run-DMC helped rap move into the mainstream
in the early 1980s. Before the audience could reply, Jay’s
turntables blared for him, “Jam Master Jay.”
With the crowd revved up, Jay was ready to introduce DMC. But
DMC knew that, sporting his denim jacket, wide-brimmed hat and
oh-so-’80s Adidas shoes, words were not even necessary. The
O.G. gave himself a good 90 seconds of gloating in the
audience’s applause and posing for the many cameras that were
flashing from the crowd.
With two of Run-DMC’s members already onstage, the
audience knew that Reverend Run would soon make his grand entrance.
Disappointing no one, Run swaggered onto the stage casually.
Despite his cool appearance, Run acted angry and energetic
throughout his performance. Immediately after taking his
microphone, he made the first of what would be many demands for the
night.
Screaming into the microphone with extreme anger, Run ordered,
“Turn the lights down. Throw a hand in the goddamn
air.”
The crowd loved the rapper’s attitude and obeyed happily.
After seeing this first demand met, Run slowly and methodically
made his next demand. This time, there was a bit less hostility in
his voice, but it still had an edge to it.
“We gonna jump up and down like we lost our goddamn minds.
Got it?” Run shouted.
After declaring this to the already exhausted audience, Run-DMC
kicked out its first jam of the night, the classic
“It’s Like That.”
The performance was top notch and filled with boisterous energy.
However, just as the song was reaching its peak, the power went
out. This was not only disappointing but also strange, considering
that only a week earlier, the same thing happened while another
classic hip-hop group, the Sugarhill Gang, was performing.
The trio looked just as bewildered as the audience and paced
uncomfortably back and fourth on the stage.
After five minutes of techies running frantically across the
stage, the power returned and the group resumed its
performance.
With the power on and the music blaring, the group went through
one classic after another. One of its strongest performances of the
night was of the hit song “Mary, Mary.”
While Reverend Run and DMC worked the crowd by marching back and
fourth and interacting with one another, Jay had a different plan.
Often, the DJ could be seen preaching into his stationary
microphone and delivering the group’s message from his alter
of unstopping turntables.
Toward the end of the group’s set, it seemed as if it was
pressured to finish early. However, Run wasn’t about to leave
his position on the stage.
“Yo, they said we gotta go, who wants more music?”
Run asked.
With that, the group launched into an energetic rendition of
“Walk This Way.”
Finally, after sapping the crowd of any energy it may have had,
Run prompted DMC to take off his shirt. With signatures from all
three band members, the two rappers carefully selected a lucky
audience member to receive it.
The group’s set was a sweet reminder of what hip hop is
supposed to be about ““ phat beats, tight rhymes and more
energy than the Energizer Bunny on a sugar high.
