Rock the Bells

by RaptorsHQ - Archives on Jul 21, 2008 12:00 AM EDT in General

First off, the article I had planned to write today won't be up till tomorrow morning.

Yesterday was possibly the longest day of my life as I attended the hip-hop super show, "Rock the Bells" so thoughts on Brezec to Virtus Roma, Childress to Greece, and Garbs mulling Lakers offers will have to wait a day.

To say that I am a bit fatigued today would be a severe understatement considering I was basically standing for 13 hours (concert started at noon and I didn't get home until after 1) and the only nourishment my body took in was hops, barley, and pepperoni...

Was it a good show?

Well...as with most of these super-shows, it was a mixed review when all was said and done. The VIP tickets I had copped for a chance at a meet-and-greet with A Tribe Called Quest turned out to be slightly bogus (only 100 ticket holders got to meet them and the whole thing was terribly organized) and even though the acts were solid (De La Soul, Redman, Method Man, Cool Kids, MURS, Rakim, Tribe, Nas, Pharcyde), the length of the show killed most of my hype by the time Tribe took the stage.

The thing that drives me nuts about these types of shows is why promoters can never get it right. Either half the acts don't get across the border (like last year's fiasco with EPMD headlining) or there are ridiculous waits between acts and a lack of cohesion between the on-site staff and the organizers. Therefore no one knows what's going on, and it just sort of becomes a free-for-all at times.

In any event, tomorrow though we'll be taking a look at some final thoughts on Vegas and discussing the Nets roster situation in more detail.

It looks like my guesses on who would be moved along with Marcus Williams were correct as the New York Daily News this morning is reporting that:

"The Nets are said to be looking to package Williams and one of their other young players, such as forwards Josh Boone or Sean Williams..."

Could Toronto throw their hat in the ring? Tough to say but it's something we'll take a closer look at and we'll examine what Toronto's likely going to do next, now that Summer League has concluded.

On a final note, we're sending a call out to all budding sports journalists or simply those who wish to write about the Canadian basketball scene.

Our host, Hooplife.ca, is looking for some new blood for the fall so if you're interested, shoot Ray Bala an email at ray.bala@gmail.com

Hooplife is looking for a mix of writers across Canada to cover both the regional and local basketball scenes; from high school right up to college. Therefore it doesn't matter if you live in Richmond, or Richmond Hill, give Ray a shout.

FRANCHISE

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A last minute change of heart had me bailing on Rock The Bells for that very reason. I knew it would be long day.

Unfortunately I ended up at the Rogers Picnic which was just as unorganized AND I got totally dumped on.

Highlight of the concert was meeting Matt Bonner and his fiance. They're getting married here in Toronto on August 1st. Bonner is such a nice, friendly dude.

by SonicSuper on Jul 21, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

In regards to Bonner... I was talking to sombody who worked with the raps and he talked to bonner a little bit ago. Because his wife is canadian and he is getting married, he can get the canadian citizenship and would love to play for team canada... now we have an open spot since dalembert is gone... can toss him in there......

oh ya.. we suck and didnt make the olympics, geuss it doesnt matter now

by Blanco on Jul 21, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Interesting stuff about Bonner, and it would be great to see him on team Canada. He'd be that long-distance threat the team needs since English never seems to be able to step it up in the crunch.

Sonic - I was originally debating hitting up the Rogers picnic instead but was worried about the rain. Guess it would have been a long day either way...

PS - The HQ Associate just emailed me about the Raptors' Vegas League games. I guess RaptorsTV will be showing each one as "games in an hour" this week. Not sure the times (probably on raptors.com) but here's the schedule:

Today: Sacto
Tomorrow: Denver
Weds: Philly
Thurs: Lake Show
Fri: Run TMC

by Franchise on Jul 21, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Franchise...

I cant believe you are complaining about having a "long day" and being forced to see A Tribe Called Quest reunite. Wow...thats a tough life you lead my good man.

Next time you have a problem like that, drop me a line. I'll fly out from the West Coast and gladly take the tickets off your hands.

by Blue Edwards on Jul 21, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

I was there 2 by the time Tribe came on i could barely stand , i got there @ 11:00 am , shit was a long as day. It was Good 2 see Rakim , @ first i thought he wasnt even going to show up cause he got bumped in the middle of the day. Good show

by JOHN on Jul 21, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Forgot to say that Supernatural & DJ Scratch stole the show in my opinion , in between acts he would come out and freestyle , he would going of the top of his head for 5 10 in at a time really interactive with the crowd , really entertaining.

by the way Sorry about the curse in the last post.

by JOHN on Jul 21, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Seems to be a music weekend for all; however, I'm out West and rocked the Whistler Music Festival. While the shows were too short and the beer tent (aka West Coast tent - ah, we did what West Coasters do - sorry Kokanee, but legalize it!) was too far removed from the stage, The Roots produced a sound unmatched all weekend, but for maybe Elvis Costello. Tuba Gooding Jr. was worth every penny (yeah, Tuba!). You Got Me - if someone bootlegged a copy of this, please do tell. I don't care how crappy the recording is. No Eryka wasn't there. Now, I'm only a year removed from Toronto and if it wasn't for Bredan Cannings, of Brocken Social Scene's, diva moment, their show would have competed for best act all weekend. Yes, Bredan, I know nothing was working and great comeback by Kevin Drew some women ask to have his babies. Ah, dang, right, basketball...thanks for the fix all summer! The West Coasters love hoops, but we just lost The Sonics (now Thunder - stupid - David should be fired) and I think there used to be a team out here with a guy named Big Country. I was back home then rockin' The Skydome. I turned on an old game on Raptors TV the other night. Were we really that bad? Do we really love hoops that much? Yes and yes.

by tdc on Jul 21, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

We only arrived at Rock The Bells @ 4:00 PM (and still caught Rakim later, as JOHN noted, he came on later).

Highlight for me was the original 4 of Pharcyde reuniting, but Tribe and De La were "runnin'" close behind.

My feet are real swole right now and I can't hear, but it's all good. The worst was waiting an hour for crappy pizza and sausage.

by jjdynomite on Jul 21, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

The reason people don't get over the border is because they have a criminal record.

I don't have a record personally, but I've been charged like every good young lad....and when I try to take my white ass over the border, they treat me like I'm a Muslim on Sept 10th....can only imagine its the same coming up here.

Anyway, I saw Tribe in '93 at Lollapalooza with George Clinton, Beastie Boys, etc....best concert....they played at like 3pm and rocked the show.....

Phife Dawg is severely underrated.

by DayOner on Jul 21, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions