Maybe you remember back in September of last year when Red Bull hosted its first Soundclash event in Dallas, with guests Erykah Badu and Shiny Toy Guns competing for the attendees' attention out at their free show in Victory Plaza? Yeah? Maybe?
It was a good time, to be sure, even if the turnout was a little spare--but not spare enough where the folks at Red Bull were outright discouraged.
In fact, on October 28 at the Palladium Ballroom, they're bringing the event back, this time with two new guests: conscious hip-hip and lyricist extraordinaire Talib Kweli and iconic Latin fusion act Ozomatli.
And, per the set-up of the event, yes indeed, there will be some changes in store for the ballroom on this night...
It's a pretty cool scenario at play at these shows, actually: Two stages are set up at opposite ends of a venue (in this case, Red Bull reps tell us, they'll be bringing in a second stage to set up in the back of the Palladium), and each act is asked to perform various types of songs in a competition format before joining the stage with one another at the end for some live collaboration.
It's a unique event--and, in the case of Ozomatli, which already incorporates a lot of hip-hop into its varied mix, and Kweli, it should indeed make for some memorable offerings. Check the press release below for more info, as well as how to go about securing your tickets...
RED BULL SOUND CLASH RETURNS TO DALLAS WITH INCREDIBLE TALENT AND MUCH ANTICIPATION
- Talib Kweli vs. Ozomatli in an Innovative Musical Conversation--
WHAT: Red Bull Sound Clash is an unparalleled, live music conversation and performance between two musical acts with diverse sounds, styles and creativity. This musical battle unfolds as each band fights for the grace and cheers of the audience. Which band will better anticipate the other? Which band will have the strength to keep playing? We will find out and the audience will decide.
WHO:
Talib Kweli is a Brooklyn born, American emcee. Kweli first gaine recognition through Black Star for his collaboration with fellow emcee Mos Def. Today, he is an undisputed leader in the alternative hip-hop scene, which takes a different approach than mainstream gangsta rap and pop rap...no references to bling and 'nines'. Kweli is a profound lyricist and perennial favorite among music critics worldwide. In fact, he is one of the most respected rappers of our time. As Jay-Z once put it in his famous Black Album rhyme "If skills sold, truth be told, I'd probably be, lyrically, Talib Kweli."
Ozomatli is a Los Angeles-based, culture mashing, 10 piece band that has been together for more than 14 years. They are hometown favorites and U.S. State Department Cultural Ambassadors. It's often said that if you rolled down your car window in East LA and collected pieces of music you heard blasting from passing cars, you could mix all that up and get the Ozomatli sound. It's a collision of urban Latino, hip-hop and rock, with influences from salsa, dancehall and cumbia, funk, meringue, New Orleans second line, Jamaican raga and Indian raga. If you couldn't possibly absorb all of that, here's what you really need to know: Listening to Ozomatli is like taking a trip around the world.
WHEN: Thursday, October 28, 2010
8:00pm: Doors Open
10:00pm: Red Bull Sound Clash Begins
WHERE: The Palladium Ballroom at Gilley's Dallas
1135 South Lamar
Dallas, Texas
TICKETS: Tickets go on sale this weekend and are available through www.thepalladiumballroom.com
*Red Bull Sound Clash Dallas is 18 +