By Ryan Broderick
6th Element’s mission statement is: “through informative programs and open discussions we intend to spread the value of hip-hop beyond any capital means.” It might seem like a lofty goal, but after watching their second annual talent show it’s clear they believe what they say and act on it.
Their show opened slow this past Tuesday night, but quickly picked up, largely to the credit of Ed Lover and DJ Kut from Power 105.1. Between each act they pulled the crowd together and made sure the audience, being on the small side, stayed entertained. As Ed Lover said as he and DJ Kut warmed up the audience: “You don’t need 600 people to have a good time.”
Of the show’s actual performers, though, three stood out immensely above their peers. Homeboy Sandman opened up his set with the audience clapping in time as he delivered a rhyme that was as articulate as it was exciting.
He had already conquered the crowd before his beat kicked in. The song he chose to perform told the story of he and his partners in crime taking a radio station hostage and forcing them to play his song. His ability to fill a bar with intricate lyrics without filler, while staying in the rhythm, was staggering.
6th Element president Rick Schwartz’s sister Tyra Juliette delivered an unbelievable set of covers that immediately kicked away any notions of nepotism. She not only belted out covers faithful to the originals, but in many cases, they were better. Her ad-libbing on Rihanna’s “Umbrella” surpassed anything the recording star has ever done vocally, without question.
The last artist of mention was a more reserved type of R&B performer under the stage name Hershey. His production on his songs was sleek and innovative. The most impressive part was that he had the voice to carry his music. Replacing the swagger and bravado of his peers with genuine artistic integrity, he stood out far beyond the rest.
Instead of hoping for the size of the crowd to carry them, the dozen artists on Tuesday night were instead stripped down to simplify their talent and performing ability. In a certain way, that’s more what Schwartz and his brothers-in-arms at 6th Element are all about.
And that’s an attitude 6th Element makes sure is known. They trade the “in da club” mentality and the-at this point, senseless-superstar attitude for integrity and a love of what hip-hop is all about. For that, their talent stands above their peers.
As president Rick Schwartz put it, “6th Element is just about trying to serve the community, and just get the word out there for artists, and just like, represent ‘real’ hip-hop.”
Their flyers tonight, under their mission statement, had a very classy and generally dignified letter from Schwartz to audience members about what they were trying to do with their show. Exposure for them was just part of the goal.
Aside from getting their artists out in front of a crowd, 6th Element truly attested their ideas of community by donating the evening’s proceeds from ticket sales to break cancer research.
At the bottom of the evening’s flier was the statement: “Look out for many other programs and events to come.” Hofstra students should not only look out for it but certainly look forward to more performances from this group as well.
