Putting together a proper showcase for classic Miami bass music in 2012 has proven to be a tall order.
Early this year, Uncle Luke hyped up a
20-date "Lollapolooza of Bass music" that he was planning for the summer, featuring a fully reunited 2 Live Crew and support from DJ Magic Mike, the 69 Boyz, Quad City DJs, DJ Kool, Poison Clan and -- in a show of bicoastal booty music solidarity --
Sir Mix-A-Lot. But despite Luke's hopes that the tour would prove bass music's continued relevance and "show the public who really diversified hip-hop," it never materialized.
Shortly after the Miami Bass Super Fest was announced for November 10 at the BankUnited Center, it was also postponed. But like a Christmas gift from a
Santa with a soft spot for pussy poppin', the festival is back on for
December 15, with a lineup that includes some of the genre's biggest stars -- though minus Luke or any members of 2 Live Crew.
Here's a look at some of the key players reporting for booty duty.
See also:
-JT Money and Poison Clan in 50 Best Miami Bands of All Time
-Uncle Luke Reunites With 2 Live Crew, Announces 20-City Tour
-69 Boyz, Booty, and Miami Bass Super Fest Coming to BankUnited Center
JT Money
Former Poison Clan leader JT Money is one of the few MCs from Miami bass's heyday to score a major hit since the genre's late '90s crash. But it's been 14 years since JT's "Who Dat" became one of MIA rap's biggest post-bass smashes and his public appearances have grown increasingly rare, making this gig a serious treat for fans of the "Bitchizer."
95 South and the 69 Boyz
In the mid '90s, Jacksonville's bass music scene had become nearly as vital as Miami's. In fact, 95 South and the 69 Boyz, a pair of J-ville crews overseen by beatmakers C.C. Lemonhead (also of Quad City DJs fame) and Jay "Ski" McGowan, scored two of the era's most notable bass hits with, respectively, "Whoot! There It Is" (not to be confused with Tag Team's "Whoomp! There It Is") and "Tootsee Roll." Score one for Duval County.
MC Shy D
Not all of Miami bass's stars came from Florida. Bronx-born MC Shy D was an import from Atlanta who quickly became one of the top acts in Luther Campbell's Luke Records stable (though their partnership would come to an ugly end over money). But while Shy D might not have been an MIA product, bass classics like "Bust This," "Shake It" and "Gotta Be Tough" can only be heard and felt properly in the 305.
Prince Rahiem
Born and raised in Hollis, Queens, Prince Rahiem brought a dose of New York swagger to Miami's burgeoning bass scene after arriving here in the late '80s. An original member of Clay D's original Get Fresh Crew, Rahiem appeared on that group's seminal "Pull It All The Way Down." But 1991's "Loose My Money" is his magnum opus. And sorry, Kanye, it's also one of the best rap songs ever written about gold diggers.
Miami Bass Super Fest. With JT Money, 69 Boyz, 95 South, MC Shy D, Prince Rahiem and others. Saturday, December 15. BankUnited Center, 1245 Dauer Dr., Coral Gables. The show starts at 8 p.m. and tickets cost $21 to $35 plus fees via ticketmaster.com. Call 305-284-8686 or visit bankunitedcenter.com.
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