As Hip-Hop continues to change, so do the seating arrangements for many of its artists. Those that have been around for a long period of time usually fade out except for a selected few, while its up to the new blood to keep everything functioning properly. Recently, a lot of the fresh faces have failed to do so, and instead they’ve contributed to leading Hip-Hop into certain demise. But every so often you’ll come across a certified diamond in a batch of ‘fugazees,’ and Kidz In The Hall happen to a handful of those who are resurrecting the faith.

Made up of Chicago native Jabari “Naledge” Evans and New Jersey resident Michael “Double-0” Aguilar, the tandem has secured their place in Hip-Hop lore by drawing comparisons to past legendary duos such as Gangstarr, and Pete Rock & CL Smooth. Helping to guide their careers in the right direction is beat maker extraordinaire, Just Blaze along with Duck Down Records’ staple artist, Buckshot. They provide a one-two punch for their listeners— with Naledge assuming vocal duties and Double-0 monitoring the production with his own sound; and on a rainy cool night in New York City their talents were on full display for a huge crowd of their fans.

Upon entering the closed-nit intimate venue, you could catch Heavy Hitters’ own D J Timbuk2 warming up it up for Just Blaze. After running through a 45-minute set of memorable songs to get the audience going, the Chicago DJ was treated to a round of thunderous applause as he exited the stage. Then, the crowd started to get a little antsy waiting for the arrival of Just Blaze to come on, and further get the people hyped up. One of the organizers for the event calmed the now anxious Hip-Hop fans down with jokes like, “I need a DJ!” “Come on now, there’s about 20 girls here, and 300 hundred guys, and 290 of y’all are DJ’s!” “Okay now, on the count of three, everybody say: ‘F*CK JUST BLAZE!’”

After his fashionable late entrance, the Roc-A-Fella affiliate manned his position behind the one’s and two’s wearing a pair of denim jeans, multi-colored Nikes, red satin sports jacket un-buttoned, with a red and white shirt to match. His platinum and diamond incrusted chain was probably the most noticeable piece out of all his accessories. As the crowd waited in anticipation, he got himself ready to go with a couple of test-scratches, followed by Jay-Z’s ‘PSA (Public Service Announcement)’ (which he produced). Right from the induction of the track, you could see all everybody going into a frenzy as they all sang loudly in one tone; “Allow me to re-introduce myself, my name is Hov/H to the O-V/I used to move snowflakes by the oz./I guess even back then you could call me–CEO of the R-O-C.” Then he ran through a few more hits he produced that helped to make him one of most sought after beathsmiths in the game.

Songs like Dipset’s ‘I Really Mean It,’ ‘Flipside’ with Freeway and Peedi Peedi, ‘U Don’t Know’ remix with M.O.P., ‘Streets Is Talking,’ ‘What We Do’ with Freeway, Jay-Z, and Beanie Sigel, ‘Roc The Mic,’ and Fabolous’ ‘Breathe.’ Now with the people’s lungs at full capacity, he went into a collage of Biggie and Mobb Deep hits. On the floor next to the stage, you couldn’t help but notice a female Just Blaze enthusiast using an oversized napkin to playfully fan him off. The gesture was to make a referance to him being on fire. During this time, you could catch a highly excited Double-0 walking through the audience and giving thanks to people for showing up. Dressed in a pair of black jeans, vintage t-shirt, and black Chuck Taylors, he had a huge smile on his face as he held his plastic cup full of liquor in his left hand, and gave the patrons dap with his right.

He then proceeded to the stage while Just Blaze was still in the middle of his set, where he turned down the volume, and acknowledged Just Blaze for giving him and Naledge an opportunity to make a name for themselves in Hip-Hop. Afterwards, he turned the volume back up and headed towards the front of the stage where he told everyone to make sure they had a drink in their hand. As Double-0 readied his equipment opposite from Just Blaze, he asked Blaze to play that particular down South song he’s so fond of. When Just Blaze was cueing up the mystery song, Double-0 walked over and took Blaze’s chain off his neck, and put it around his own. Then a few seconds later, ‘Chain Hang Low’ by Jibbs came through the speakers with Double-0 taking center stage followed by an unorthodox Southern-style dance, and laughter by the audience. Now dressed in a black button-up shirt un-tucked and metallic silver tie, Double-0 does a quick sound check, as Blaze quietly leaves the stage in order for the show to begin.

The instrumental track for their song ‘Blackout’ comes on at the same time Naledge hits the stage. Dressed in a pair of blue jeans, white Chuck Taylors, a white and red sweater, tan jacket and sunglasses, he goes right into the song with no hesitation. After getting the crowd ready for what’s to come, he formally introduces himself, and talks about how its great to finally be the headliner instead of the opening act. He breezes through a few more cuts from the album, and then invites Phonte from Little Brother on stage to perform his verse on ‘Paper Trail.’ The North Carolina lyricist doesn’t disappoint; donned in an army-like button-up shirt, jeans, and tan low-top Air Force Ones, the New York fans make him feel right at home.

When the song concludes, Phonte reaches out to the audience telling them how he came all the way to New York to help support Kidz In The Hall, and how everybody should do the same by buying their album instead of downloading it. And in the blink of an eye, Phonte descends from the stage and Brooklyn MC Skyzoo takes his place to run through his verse on ‘Let Your Hair Down.’

Dressed in blue jeans, and red sweatshirt, and a fitted cap with a white do-rag being exposed, he doesn’t let his faulty microphone rattle his concentration, and executes his “16” to perfection. 

At this point, the crowd is ready for anybody to hit the stage, and keep the party going, and Kidz In The Hall oblige them by bringing up Travis McCoy from Gym Class Heroes. The tall and lanky MC gets the crowd hype before they go into ‘Lucifer’s Joyride.’

With a scruffy 5’O Clock shadow, multi-colored hoodie, Louis Vuitton belt and side pouch, with a black fitted cap he assists Naledge and vice versa as they show their stage presence. Following a brief interlude, Naledge takes off his sweater to reveal a white t-shirt and goes into a song from their first album, ‘Wheelz Fall Off (06 Till…),’ but he does some self-editing to the hook, and changes it to ’08 Till…’

After re-energizing the crowd with ‘Driving Down The Block’ they perform their Barak Obama song while still waiting for another surprise guest to show up. Finally the mystery person arrives, and its none another than Estelle. The London songstress hits the stage, and Double-0 informs the crowd that she just came from three previous shows.

You can now see all the females in the audience using their camera phones and digital camera relentlessly as they try and get good shots of the woman who is topping the charts with her song ‘American Boy’ (featuring Kanye West). After taking some time to re-adjust herself (due to the fact of her striped tube top dress falling down), she and Naledge waste no time performing ‘Love Hangover’ followed by her own song. She then invites a handful of female fans on stage for an impromptu dance session while she sings her hit single.

When the show comes to an end, Estelle further puts her stamp of approval on Kidz In The Hall, and makes time for some photo ops for her male and female fans. Then Kidz In The Hall take front stage, and thanks everyone for the support, as they remind everyone to vote, and asks the excited crowd to exit peacefully.