Hip-hop artist wraps up year with show

Review

Chris Labzda / senior photographer Cee-Lo performed at the College Center Grand Ballroom on Tuesday night with Indigenous Womb. Cee-Lo commented that he was glad to be performing with Indigenous Womb, and was glad that true hip-hop was still alive.

Two very different acts hit the stage in the College Center Grand Ballroom last night with a very common goal: to keep hip-hop alive. UPB, in association with music industry class 422, brought Cee-Lo and Indigenous Womb to JMU.

The first group to hit the stage was Indigenous Womb, a band whose style only only be described as underground. The band's sound goes back to the old-school style by keeping beats simple and lyrics constantly flowing. Armed with towels and turntables, the group quickly won over the JMU crowd with everything from Wu-Tang covers to dance hall and reggae jams.

With five emcees and one deejay, Indigenous Womb kept the energy high for their full set. In fact, at points they literally were shaking the simple stage with their jumping antics.

The fact that group members did not wear a single ounce of gold or platinum jewelry contradicts the stereotypical hip-hop image. Indigenous womb proved that a group does not need bling to rock a show — their beats and clever lyrics alone won over the audience.

Along with their inventive flow came another level to their show involving props and, at one point, a kung-fu exhibition involving nunchucks.

The show ended with freestyles from each of the five group members, and appreciative words for the audience.

"Don't skip a show with Cee-Lo and Indigenous Womb just 'cause you got finals next week," a band member yelled out during the show.

Immediately after the show Indigenous sat down, still sweaty from their high-energy show, to answer a few questions about the future of hip-hop.

"I think that right now, hip-hop is changing and transcending, but will never die," the lead vocalist said. The group believes that right now mainstream hip-hop is lacking creativity, and the industry is more concerned with mimicking the most popular acts rather than coming out with something new and fresh.

Fans of underground sound should check out Indigenous Womb's debut compact disc "Concept-Shun," coming this summer.

By the time Cee-Lo hit the stage, the audience still was hyped from the first performance and a show between sets from the Breakdance club.

Coming all the way from Atlanta, Cee-Lo started things out slowly, but quickly was able to excite the infamous JMU party atmosphere with the audience. Casually dressed and surrounded by two green-shirted men, Cee-Lo put on the show people had come to see.

Though Cee-Lo took a few breaks to rest over the course of his set, he still wowed the audience and brought a great deal of energy out of them. Cee-lo uses funk, soul and Southern style to make the crowd jump.

"I'm glad to see true hip-hop alive and well," Cee-Lo commented referring to Indigenous Womb, and also the Breakdance club. He highlighted the best songs from his most current CD, and from work he did with Outkast and Goddie Mob.

Cee-Lo also was glad to see that "everyone is enjoying music together" in a positive environment such as JMU.

Cee-Lo decided to end the night full of energy with his new single, "The One."

"That show was off the hook," senior Fred Jackson said. "Cee-Lo did his thing tonight."