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REVIEW: Roots Manuva @ KOKO 16th March
RnB/Hip Hop | Friday 22nd March 2013 | Osh
Nearly a year since the legend that is Rodney Smith AKA Roots Manuva's last sell out gig at the Roundhouse, we were spoilt to see him in full force, supported by the full Banana Klan crew, to celebrate the launch of his new Big Dada release that happened in January "Banana Skank EP". The accomplished UK Hip Hop veteran took over Koko in Camden with a show that smothered the lucky crowd with his customary display of lyrical goodness and dancefloor crunch.
It was a night of ongoing bass stimulation with Wrongtom warming up the crowd of dedicated Manuva fans before the curtain was lifted to Chris P Cuts with a bag of J Dilla, DJ Jazzy, Skibadee and too many good tunes to mention. His set lasted about 50 minutes with some of us wondering where the Man Roots was before his alchemistic familiar tones were heard on the mic from backstage over V.I.V.E.K’s dark and lively Sound Man and it had begun.
With live drum’s, colourful trumpet and trombone and five MCs including Roots, the full Banana Klan took the stage with wild cheers from the crowd and we were reminded once again that one of the true pioneers of UK Hip Hop is not just any Hip Hop act but a fully live, immersive and interactive prodigy. Roots Manuva showed off his mastery at mixing the old with the new throughout the performance with tracks from his latest album 4everevolution along with the all time classics. Who Goes There? was a big crowd pleaser and an incredible version of Here We Go Again from the 4everevolution album was another demonstration of the fantastic variety of this outfit with Ricky Ranking in fine singing voice. The gig came to a bouncing crescendo at the end with Witness the Fitness and Again and Again not being forgotten to the crowds delight before the Klan headed off stage and were called back to perform (What Me Got Flow) – fucking excellent!
Rumours are that Rodney is currently working on a new album, writing an opera, developing a comic book, penning an autobiography all while looking after his kids. It’s the best Saturday night we’ve had in a while so whatever this national treasure does next we hope that it involves a live performance!
Follow @rootsmanuva to not miss out at next big one.
Words by Jack Hickmott
