Live Review: Afrika Bambaataa, Juse Crew, NTSC, DJ Mathematics, Mike Who

First up on the support bill was local DJ Mike Who, whose soul-infused hip hop tunes from Web by The Roots to Jurassic 5's In The House had his small audience grooving. DJ Mathmatics and his sidekick Pep-C, aka The Party Crashers put on a great show. Determined to get the crowd pumped, Pep-C played an electronic drum-kit while Mathmatics remixed Marvin Gaye's I Heard It Through The Grapevine. They inspired an organic b-boy cypher in the gathering crowd and the amiable MC Mirrah dropped in on a track with confidence and swagger. The third support, DJ NTSC gave a more demure performance with a projector set up playing videos perfectly timed to his music, and then there was a short segment of official b-boying from Juse Crew. The Australian chapter of the social movement Zulu Nation is all about representing the four elements of hip hop but Juse's brief number felt forced.  

The master of records DJ Afrika Bambaataa practically invented hip hop. The guy still lays claim to some of the catchiest remixes and most flawless transitions in the game. But the Sydney crowd was docile and tour MC and Universal Zulu Nation World Spokesperson King Kamonzi had his work cut out keeping up the vibe of “peace, unity, love and having fun!” 

Bambaataa performed a DJ set, spinning a warm collection of mainstream soul, pop and R&B including Rick James' Super Freak, Aretha Franklin's Respect, Milkshake by Kelis and The Real Slim Shady by Eminem. Bambaataa was an unassuming performer who barely said a word. He did his thing with nonchalant ease and left without saying goodbye. But he managed to present a mainstream set without feeling cheesy, remixing his way from the top 40 into the underground and sometimes you'd catch him singing along.

Afrika Bambaataa created a harmonious and grooving atmosphere that really brought the small audience and the onstage crew together.