The acts were popular, the ticket price, however, wasn’t. Armed with my exclusive ALL ACCESS PASS, a camera and the privilege to be anywhere and everywhere (cept’ for the girl’s toilet of course), I stood right in front of the pit - where the audience is - pretty disappointed that the biggest crowd was only about 30 people maximum at any one time. Much less if you don’t include other photographers who were also in the pit.

The night started with a whole lot of energy, but it quickly died down as the ones who had performed left the venue after their slot. Nothing new there, eh?

The only Singaporean group to have made it on the main performance, Phatnatrix, received a very disappointing response as the entire crowd walked off during the performance. At least a handful stayed in the back, leaving the front of the pit empty for a good 10 minutes. The situation improved as they performed their new track, ACPM, during their last song.

Phlowtron blazed the stage with a high-energy performance featuring a small kid who was popping on the stage throughout the set while Alia moved the crowd with her well-sculpted tummy.  The groups performed a few songs featured in their latest album including the must-listen “Bicara Neguran” and “Suara Dunia”.

Samir was the highlight of the night, as he made a grand entrance with a gang of bikers (and we’re not talking of ‘mat rempits’) entering the arena in their big bikes. With their bikes roaring everytime he asks the crowd the “make some noise”, the crowd suddenly reappeared again in full force, everyone vying for the front row. Damian of V.E. made a short appearance on Samir’s set and set the crowd blazing with their “Party Like This” before ending it off on a high note with “Rollin’ by Limp Bizkit’” to send off the bikers.

Soul ID (two dudes and a really cute chick with powerful vocals) came on next with a highly choreographed performance, followed by 4Dub, with Hydro in a bullet-proof vest (okay, I don’t really care if it’s bullet proof).

Probably one of the best acts that night, Akil (Jurassic 5) moved the crowd over and over again - and even got them on stage to freestyle. Sadly though, none of the local audience actually went up - and the staged was filled with rappers from the earlier acts. He also showed the crowd that he could also breakdance as he whipped out a couple of moves on stage.

The night ended on a good note - the guests were invited for an afterparty at Modesto, which turned out to be the most boring part of the night. We left soon enough and headed to the fast food outlet just next door instead.
 

FREE CD GIVEAWAY We’ve got a couple of CDs and a free pair of tickets to Popcorn Playa to 2 lucky hiphop heads and all you need to do is join our mailing list. We have 1 Phlowtron’s latest album “Warisan Senikata Malaya” and 1″Mixology 2″ to give away this weekend so act now! Want more pictures? Check out our flikr account!

written by Sallihin