Three of the best DJs in the world are in town for the last stop of their ongoing “Breathe and Stop” South East Asia Tour presented by Heavy Boogie Productions.
DJs Maseo from De La Soul, Al Shaheed Muhammad from A Tribe Called Quest, and Filipino Jon Cruz best known as Shortkut from the Beat Junkies takes their respective turntables at Whitespace along Pasong Tamo Extension this Saturday, August 18, for what they promise to be a night of innovative dance and DJ mixes.
Vincent Mason or Maseo is the Grammy Award-winning founding member, producer and rapper for De La Soul and was the featured vocalist on “Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey),” one of the group’s biggest hits.
Unlike other in-your-face and often controversial hip-hop acts, De La Soul pioneered a gentler and more eclectic hip-hop sound that fused elements of soul, funk, jazz, pop, reggae and even psychedelia. During the press conference that introduced him and the other DJs, the often wisecracking DJ said the other stops of the South East Asia and is looking forward to playing another one of his memorable sets in Manila.
In his second Manila gig in three months, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, who is currently observing Ramadan, said he knows he’s “in good hands” here after Maseo hilariously revealed that his shoes were stolen after he took them off in a mosque in Malaysia to pray.
“I won’t be worried about losing my shoes here,” he good-naturedly declared.
Although best known for his time with the legendary jazz-hip-hop outfit, A Tribe Called Quest, Muhammad also co-founded the R&B supergroup Lucy Pearl with Raphael Saadiq and Dawn Robinson. Lucy Pearl had an edgier sound that mixed funk, rock, R&B and hip-hop.
As the founding member of three of most influential DJ crews in hi-hop history, namely Invisible Scratch Pickles, Triple Threat and World Famous Beat Junkies, the San Francisco-based Shortkut is also known for his diverse selections, which made him one of the most sought-after DJs in the planet.
He said he continues to be in awe of Maseo and Muhammad, whose music was a big influence on him growing up.
“It’s amazing that I’m now touring with these guys who I used to listen to and enjoy in my youth,” Shortkut enthused. Before coming to Manila, they had successful stops in Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Ho Chi Minh City and Singapore.
In addition to just dancing to the selections prepared by the three DJs, those who will come to party with these guys for “Breathe and Stop” will also be treated to an exciting dance competition featuring some of the best dance crews in the city.
In bringing together the DJs, the dancers, and the audience under one united groove, a big highlight of the “Breathe and Stop” gig is an equally exciting urban dance competition.
After pre-selecting the top 15 dancers, they will be divided into three teams of five and will be paired with either Maseo, Shortkut or Muhammad. The three teams will then have 15 minutes to show their best stuff as they freestyle to the music of their assigned DJ.
Awards will be handed out for the best individual performance/move, best teamwork/ethic, best crew, and best outfit of the night. These awards include cash and special prizes, including gears from Adidas and Pioneer Steez media player and boomboxes.
If you think popular hip-hop films like “You Got Served” and “Step 2: The Streets” are exciting to watch on the big screen, that’s nothing compared to dancing and competing on the big hip-hop stage itself at “Breathe and Stop.”
With three of hip hop’s most influential DJs and arguably the region’s best dance crews, this should be quite a party to remember.
The Manila stop of “Breathe and Stop” will take place August 18, Saturday at Whitespace along Pasong Tamo Extension in Makati. Doors open at 9PM.