EMC

In my ranting about Masta Ace it should be noted that it was far from a one artist show — all four emcees got their shine on the microphone. Wordsworth is a champion freestyle battler and was one of the big stars of the Lyricists Lounge tours. I discovered Wordsworth when I discovered a video of him battling clips of George Bush candidate debate style.

My whole debate team spent hours trying to figure out how to show that clip in debate rounds. It seemed much more relevant than any quotation from the New York Times.

Punchline is Wordsworths’ regular rhyming partner (they performed as Punch & Words for a few years), and himself is a verbally precise emcee well known for his nasty battle snaps. Stricklin is a Milwaukee rocker who I had never heard before, but propelled through verses and blew synapses all night long.

The icing on the cake was a chance to see DJ Flo Fader laying down the beats. I’ve seen him DJ behind J-Live before and he was incredible; behind EMC it was magical. Cuts like ripsaws and relentless head-nodding beats.

Great teamwork, relaxed egos, blistering flows and more style than one city can handle — EMC set the parameters for touring bands in Humboldt. Thanks to the hardworking promoters and opening artists who made an incredible week possible.

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