Latasha’s Hip-Hop Dream Takes Hip-Hop To New Heights

February 14, 2018 by Ray Fontaine

Latasha In Performance / photo by Ray Fontaine

Latasha, once known as L.A. for Latasha Alcindor, recently changed her performance name to just plain Latasha. She sings, she raps, she acts and she has orchestrated the mixed media theatrical display Brooklyn Roads witnessed at February’s Target First Saturday event at the Brooklyn Museum.

Latasha’s show, All a Dream- an Intro to Latasha , promotes spirituality and a journey for inner peace, especially for young women of color. Latasha’s act began with a video portrait, describing her experience growing up in Flatbush, Brooklyn. This rap concert combined hip hop, ballet, modern dance choreography, a live band and a video collage, all to tell an educational and inspirational tale of Brooklyn’s rich cultural history.

Latasha Performance /photo by Ray Fontaine

Latasha On The Move / photo by Ray Fontaine

In front of clips from various NYC metro locations, she began to rap on stage as if part of a subway car scene in a movie. Her raps came off as an eloquent stream-of-consciousness poem.

Between songs, Latasha played video interviews about Brooklyn’s changing landscape with “Tia” or “Mama” and other members of the community. Their stories led into emotional and descriptive songs like “New Waves” or “Innate Paranoia,” that blended sounds reminiscent of Notorious B.I.G, Jadakiss, Lauren Hill and Lil’ Kim. The night elevated Hip-Hop musical theatre by mixing documentary film elements with both pre-recorded and live artistic expression.

Latasha On Stage / photo by Ray Fontaine

Latasha and Company / photo by Ray Fontaine

Latasha opened up on stage about how the changes in Brooklyn have affected her. After discussing skyrocketing rents, she lightened the mood by saying, “I rap for a living, and I can’t afford to eat $8 cupcakes!”

She closed her performance with “I am a rapper. I have bigger visions of what Hip-Hop could do” and brought her a standing ovation. This Target First Saturday was an amazing Hip-Hop multi-media show with both spiritual and cultural depth.

Artists on our Radar

Ricky Stein: Texas Roots in Brooklyn

Ricky Stein/ photo courtesy of the artist

If you’re looking for music inspired by New York City with a Texan flare, look no further than Ricky Stein, a Brooklyn-based artist originally from Austin, Texas. Stein is a singer-songwriter whose music is grounded by a combination of his upbringing in Texas and his present life in the bustling streets of New York City and Downtown Brooklyn. Stein has an impressive discography of singles and albums, and since moving to New York City in August 2016, he has released a full album, “Long Summer” and many singles. Stein’s music is best defined as Americana and roots, with folk-infused acoustic and electric guitars, and his lyrics paint vivid images of nature and life. The listener feels connected to Stein, as his musical stylings resemble talent from the likes of John Prine and Bonnie Raitt. His most recent single, “Passenger,” highlights Stein’s talents with a strong harmonica section. The song’s instrumentation and structure is built on one verse, which compliments the song’s message about the uncertainty and ominousness of being a passenger on a long journey. Another standout, “Street Lights,” is a lighthearted commentary on the comfort of hope, the street lights representing persistent light even in the dead of night. Stein’s live performances are carefully tailored, his sets performed at local venues in Brooklyn like Pete’s Candy Store and many other venues known to support live roots and country music. His talents are always showcased, whether performing a solo show with a guitar and harmonica or being supported by a full band. Stein’s upcoming months are packed with performances at many venues, including Saturday, January 11th at Skinny Dennis Bar in Williamsburg and Friday, March 7th at Sunny’s Bar in Red Hook. You won’t want to miss it!

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