It was a great time. Fuggin Awesome 5 was fun.

Dixie Mafia performing Fuggin Awesome 5 @ Lenny's, ATL
Originally uploaded by kwadwojuma

With word on the street being that the Drunken Unicorn has let the Hip Hop community know they no longer want our business and that live performances must end by 12:30 am in a city where nobody leaves their house before midnight, Fuggin Awesome still endures.

The last minute move to Lenny's was a success. Killer Mike performed and apologized to the fans for all the hoopla concerning the media-flamed feud between himself and Big Boi of Outkast. That was refreshing. When asked about the feud Killa Kill from Adamsville said with a smile, "We'll get it right." Good to hear.
The music was eclectic Friday night. ATL's soul artist Divinity, Yelawolf, Dixie Mafia, The Wheeler Boys and Hollyweerd all performed. Joe Scudda from the Justus League (and a Georgia Boy by birth) was on hand- in fact he brought Hollyweerd on stage to perform with him. They weren't on the bill for the night. That was a lovely suprise. A new cat I haven't heard from before came out called Shawwty Fat. He's from Alabama and I'll be damned if I wasn't SHOCKED to hear this dude come up there and spit. I wasn't expecting that kind of flow. I wasn't. He can really put it together. His act can best be described as a lyricist's lyricist over Down-south bass beats.
The Audubon Society did their thing. They had me dancing like a drunken fool to their Dj sets. Again, it was a great deal of fun. I always have fun at this event. Oh, and the ladies? My goodness. They were looking special Friday night. Wow. Feel free to check out the pics. I didn't get any shots of Yelawolf, Divinity or Killer Mike. Why? MY BATTERY DIED AGAIN!!! I can't tell you how frustrating that is ATL Hip Hop group Proton was in the house as was soul act Ruby Velle of The Soulphonics



I've got two of these. Neither one is older than 4 months. They both do not function. Why? Because they are fragile. The prongs that extend to charge the batteries are easily broken- a prick with your fingernail can break them off. I've bought 3 batteries and now 3 chargers because of this faulty piece of equipment. I could go to best buy and complain, but why? It isn't their fault. The customer reviews for this device are misleading. Just don't buy it. For 5 more dollars you can get what is considered the "lesser" charger- lesser because it doesn't come with a car kit. It seems to be much more durable. I've lost so many picture opportunities because of this damned thing. I could scream, but who would hear me? Who would care?

It was awesome.

I had a great time Friday night at Fuggin Awesome 3 It was hot as hell in the Drunken Unicorn Friday, but nobody complained. Ladies were dancing, the fellas were smiling and the bass was bumping all night. ATL DJ Duo The Audubon Society set the table. Their set had tremendous range playing everything form K-os "Superstar" breakbeats to Spank Rock and B.o.B. The first act that stood out to me was ATL based MCsAnimal House. I know you're thinking that with a lineup featuring ATL underground stars like Muffy, Grip Plyaz, Killer Mike, etc that it's odd for me to mention a little known group.
The truth of it is that as soon as their beats dropped, booties dropped. Ladies emerged from their comforting perches along the dark shadows of the walls to bounce it like it's tender to Animal House's set. I can't lie, I was getting into it too. Were the lyrics mind-blowing? No. The beats were incredible, however and they rode those beats perfectly. The lyrics were about partying and bullshit but that message was right on time Friday night. It was obvious that they began to tire towards the end of their set because it didn't have the energy the rest of the show had but their point was made already: don't sleep on Animal House. When you talk about groups that have the potential to create a single that can catapault them out of the underground, this is one of them. I can hear that music being played on any top 40 Urban station.
Muffy's set was interesting in that they incorporated a little theatrics into it. I think it will continue to improve and has a chance to be impressive down the line. Her backup singers are beautiful and with Muffy's art direction you know they were styling on folks up on stage. Magnificent fashion. People expecting energy from her got it and as her stage show matures, she'll have a chance to give some great shows in the near future. The foundation for it is there. Hollyweerd performed with more energy than I've noticed from them in the past Friday Night. Of course what stood out most from them again was their fashion sense, their ease with each other on stage, Staggo Lee's Sax Solo on "Weerdo" KED's energy on his features and the fact that they have some really solid singles they perform. They are a young group- together for only 6 months. Their live show will only get better. Hollyweerd has the benefit of constantly performing, affording them the ability to gain experience.
Yelawolf was amazing. I've been impressed with his live show every time I've seen him. He had a live fiddler playing with him Friday in-keeping with Yelawolf's 'Bama sensibilities. Like Hollyweerd, he was wasn't shy to mix it up with the fans as he performed, but the mosh pits brought another level of energy I never am quite prepared for. He invited ladies up on stage to 'perform' with him. His rapport with these ladies only added to the show, the sound, the feel. Again, if you haven't heard Stereo please go to his myspace and download it. It's an amazing EP. Anytime you can incorporate Charlie Daniels, AC/DC and Pink Floyd into a hip hop show, you are doing some major things.

There isn't much else about the show that the pics won't tell you except that it got a little too awesome at times and waiting for the show to get back under control to hear the next act became a problem more than once. It was that crazy. For complete coverage including audio snippets and interviews, check my blog on VIMBY.com. It should be up next week, God willing. There I'll talk more in depth about each of the performances, the artists I talked to while I was there, and the scene in general. I'll also have a review of Hollyweerd's EP on artnouveau . Meanwhile you can check my review for Yelawolf's EP Stereo which is up on artnouveau right now.
Before going, I'd like to add that Killer Mike performed his new single and tore the house down. I finally had the pleasure of seeing SL Jones from Grind Time official live, and that was really fun. Young Trimm from ATL's Battery 5 family is a star. The man announced getting signed to Myspace.com's new lable with Interscope and I think he'll do well. He has some great songs that can go a long way. That's all for now, folks. I think I caught my wife's cold. I can't stop sneezing. Let me handle that before I go in to work tonight, peace

Yelawolf to begin touring...

Listen, if Killer Mike is down that's all I need to ever know. Big up to Skape, by the way and Big Gripp. I see you.