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B-Digga Presents
The Baldacchino

Remaining Performances:
Saturday, July 19 @ 5 PM
Saturday, July 26 @ 6:30 PM
Sunday, July 27 @ 5 PM

They Say: “A multimedia extravaganza! B-Digga’s groundbreaking music with live performance and vocals by some of D.C.’s finest artists, with accompanying video and computer generated imagery. The music will be progressive hip-hop, soul and acid jazz-material that’s intelligent and thought provoking but also crowd-engaging, danceable, and guaranteed to groove!”

Majeedah’s Take: Focusing on the music and messages of B-Digga’s lineup, audience members received a healthy dosage of entertaining and engaging hip-hop. Although I was unsure when the show actually began, until then audience members were entertained by dancing bodies, moving kaleidoscopes and brilliantly colored abstract images featured on a projection screen. This provided a backdrop to the opening instrumentals.

Ms. Tamika Jones, accompanied by fellow singers Shareeta and Eric, opened the first set with a series of eclectic tunes with thoughtful and upbeat lyrics.Songs such as “Back to Life,” “You and Me” and “Runnin” are reminiscent of a DJ Spinna extended mix or a Future Sound of Jazz compilation album. As Ms. Jones sang about lost love and self-determination, I was reminded of a new age Nina Simone or an Ursula Rucker.

MC Black Indian demonstrated his versatility and maturity with witty and humorous rhymes on topics ranging from gentrification and real estate woes in the DC metro area to increasing food and gas prices to the current presidential election. An ode to hip hop was performed over a tantalizing and smooth beat that any Wu Tang member or Stones Throw MC would salivate over. MC Enjay blessed the crowd with a meaty freestyle to close out the set.

Sometimes the idea of intelligent hip hop and R&B conjures thoughts of hokiness or contrived happiness. Not the case with B-Digga’s performers. Each song was cleverly matched with the performer. The messages are wholesome and something to which each audience member can relate.The diversity of topics covered will allow for the featured artists to be appreciated and favored at a variety of venues. The performance illustrates their devotion to great music with a positive message.

See it if: You like good music.
Skip it if: You don’t like good music.