Even I had a hard time believing it....Nasir Jones was coming to Edmonton and K-riz and I were getting a chance to perform.
when the day arrived, We the performers had to arrive early for sound check which was done very profesionally. We had to do the songs as if it was the actual show and we were assigned Individual Mic's and simply had to remember the number marked on the microphone so that right before we go on stage we just mention the number and they hand us the mic ideal for our vocals.
We went to the back room for a meeting where we were given our passes and a couple of drinks. The vibe was all good. I noticed Konflict(one of the performers) had somone there to tape his performance so since we were homies anyway I asked if they could tape my part too and he did agree.
Nas was now downstairs in what they called the "Green" room
we prayed and wished each other luck then K-Riz,Arlo Maverick and I went to the waiting erea where we prayed some more and wished each other luck again.
I was nervous but remained cool as a cucumber.
Konflict was on before us and seemed to be doing fine with the crowd and although a few at the top row were begining to seem a bit restless.
Finally it was our go.
when the music began to play the whole place erupted.The beat was produced by "Insane" and had a hype rock feel to it. A song called "live" We all began to spit rhymes at an athletic pace.
It all felt like magic the connection with the crowd was amazing. I got in such a zone that I was brave enough to close my eyes Center stage as I delivered my next rhyme. All eyes were on me.
I remember seeing Nova and Prosper walking away from the stage area and it seemed like they had a little bit of drama of their own. The show went on.
When I got off strage I was trying to make my way back towards the green room area hoping to catch a few words with God's son himself. I was stopped by security who said it was a restricted area so I showed him my pass and he told me that I still have to go get permissin from Harman(DJ). who was no where In sight and the place was so packed and people were trying to get better situated to catch the main event. I was dissapointed the dude didn't just let me through but I had to time to cry about it...I just opened for NAS!
As I walked away he said "Good job by the way"
I found myself standing next to Kreesha Turner.
The next act came on, A group of rappers wearing white with flashy shades and chains .
20 seconds into their performance the place began to rumble, The crowd wasn't satisfied.
They bagan to Booo!! and bottles were thrown at them on stage, A chair came flying from the top floor. I remember hoping none of them got hurt.
Things seemed like they were getting out of hand so the music was cut off and someone came to calm down the crowd and said Nas was ready.
There he was... Just like on T.V and on the record, His live performance was all impressive but the most memorable part to me was when the lights went dim with a spotlight on the stage and there was a time he performed on his knees "One MIC"
The next day all people could talk about was how some opening rappers killed it and some sucked. so people who didn't make it to the show were still unsure who was who and what went on so people kept asking me with smiles on their faces.... So where were you when the booing was going on? I said I was sipping a Rum and coke, which made them laugh.
So I put that answer on my facebook status because it was a show everyone was talking about and I was glad to be a part of it. (Maybe I shouldn't have had a sense of humor)
Couple days later as the hype was dying down in my eyes I get a call from Arlo telling me that the same rap group that got Booed is dissing me. ME! "Arlo stop playin'" I said. So he asked what I was going to do about it. I said NOTHING because first of all I'm pretty much cool with everybody and nobody in Edmonton is silly enough to diss me on a record right now.
By the time I got off the phone with him I still thought he was kidding because anyone that actually Knows Arlo Knows he has a good sense of humor.... gets me everytime.
Later on... I think it was the same day when I met up with arlo he happened to be sitting infront of the computer and showed me the link on UGSMAG. And sure enough there was a link Dissing me called "Prosmelly" I thought that was very creative but mainly pathetic so I didn't take it seriously. I understood what they were doing. It was just all for hype and I didn't take it personal so I didn't even bother thinking of replying.
People kept wondering what my next move would be, They couldn't fathom why I was just sitting back like nothing happened.
Couple days went by and the hype seemed to be dying down in my eyes when suddenlly I was informed of another link directed at hurting me. This time they tried to sting a vulnerable spot so they said "Fuck your mom"
The voice in my head simply asked in disbelief..."Whacyu say about my momma??"
and there it was.
I knew what they were doing and didn't want to give them any more hype so I decided to still just lurk in the shadows and do my own thing.
It was bubbling inside and I kept it there for a while. The common question was why would they choose to diss proveli out of all the people in Edmonton directly Dissing them and then go to over react off of MY status on facebook which was in my opinion not intended to straight up disrespect...I was sipping a rum and coke.... My point in the status was ...1. I wasn't the one being booed. 2. I wasn't the one doing any booing or throwing chairs or bottles because I was busy with my drink ready for an awesome show....but NOOOOOOO!!
footage of them being booed was even on youtube .... so sad.
I never did get any footage that somone might have taped from my part.
But I bet if I was booed that night it would have been on youtube the next day too.
Although there is a very classic picture that remains
One night I went to the Music for Mavericks studio to hear some beats and maybe record.You know, to get somethings off my chest. Shaw who was working there at the time had already understood my taste in heavy beats with a symphonic feel and straight up said " I made this with you in mind"
The beat began and suddenly that guy I can never control on a record was back. I went into a trance...I was in a zone.
After the pacing back and forth, And the Mumbling I was ready for my first verse.
By the time it was done I still had no idea what the hook was going to be.
Dirt Gritie who was around began guessing what this could be about. This was the first track I was recording since... you know what...... and suddenly I had turned into a syllable slaughtering maniac.
Second verse, done.... even third... still no hook.
we played the verses back and the empty hook part just put me in a deeper zone.... I felt heavy,Strong and for one moment I became very Unforgiving When the question of why would they do this kept playing in my head.
The only answer I had was.... "The gods Must be crazy"
Like the African Village man who had never seen a bottle then suddenly one fell from the sky
because someone was simply littering from a plane up above which he discribed as an Iron bird.
The only explanation he had when the other village people asked was..... "The Gods Must be Crazy"
"The Gods must be crazy for letting these chumps come around town thinking they can f@*& with me,Haunt you In your sleep right by your side.....Man the Gods must be crazy.
people were feeling the track but I wasn't saying it was a diss to annyone, I refrained from saying their names to avoid giving them hype but I wanted only them to catch the msg.
I had the song on reverbnation for bit, when suddelny I heard news of my reply had reached the bloggers and even though I had a few critics people were loving it for the most part.
Kaz had even given me a little intro before the slaughter began.
What followed was an apology from the other side saying that they didn't mean to stoop as low as dissing my mother.
I accpeted the apology and moved on.
Hip hop is like boxing sometimes. you box each other out in the ring.
But most of the time out of the ring they are really just regular people that would rather live in peace.
