Yeah Let Me Get That Mambo Sauce

Washington D.C. is known for its politics; but its musical history is just as engaging and the scene today is still thriving. Promoters Truth and Powerful invited our fearless leader and her plucky sidekick down to their weekly open mic Up and Up at Liv, located next door to Hominy; both housed in the Bohemian Caverns building. Located at 11th and U St. NW, you're greeted upon arrival by a marquee with a piano wraparound; a good sign you're in the right place.

Ascending the steps and past some art; Liv opens up to a decent sized space. The stage is off to your right, with the bar to your left, and couches for seating directly in front. There was also a 2nd floor area, which wasn't open to my knowledge. Already on stage, the house band Mambo Sauce, a hot young go-go band fresh off a small tour; were tuning up with a few rap and R&B. Black Boo, one of Mambo Sauce’s vocalists took the stage announcing J*Ivy, fresh off his singing to Kanye West's G.O.O.D Music label and preparing everyone for the show to start. Ever the wisecrackers, they started off by taking a few shots at your boy, and I quickly learned this was the vibe of the evening.

An easel was onstage the entire show. They introduced the painter; a young man I had seen before on our local news here with Raheem Devaughn who painted while the music played. This is something I've seen at a few other shows lately, with the piece being auctioned off post-show; however I was informed he was one of the first to come up with this. The night, a mostly rap affair featuring DC Cash, Vile, Nino Swagger, Laeloo Hood, Mo Chips, and even a group jam at the end of the night. But it wasn't all hustle and flow as Dey, Darlette Gayle, and Camari James mellowed out the evening with poetry and singing; while Simone did a brief comedy segment which got the Sandmen themselves called out! Tieing it all together was Robin Thin, singing Lynyrd Skynard's "Simple Man".

The highlight of the evening and perhaps the main reason to attend and hang around till the end; is the full on "jam session". Going over the progression laid down by Thin, every rapper who had performed earlier in the evening; were joined by a few more including event promoter Powerful for a show ending cypher; clocking in around 12 mins. If you're looking for something to do on a Tuesday night; you found it.

Korean Abdul Jabbar

Liv Nightclub - http://www.livdc.com/

CaMari Drew - http://www.myspace.com/camaridrew

Darlette Gayle - http://www.darlettegayle.com/

Mo C.H.I.P.S. - http://www.myspace.com/mochips / http://www.twitter.com/getmochips

Nino Swagger - http://www.facebook.com/NinoSwagger / http://twitter.com/ninoswagger

Laelo Hood - www.myspace.com/laelohoodmusic / twitter.com/laelohood

Mambo Sauce - http://mambosauceband.com/