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Although the album came over a month ago, Saving Seamus Ryan, the new solo album by MC Esoteric, finally had its proper release party in Boston (well technically, Cambridge), MA. The show got off to a late start though, so an eager crowd was gathered outside waiting to get into the Middle East Upstairs venue – an extremely tight and loud space, known for putting down some of the best shows in the Boston area.
Kicking things off was Blacastan, who is becoming quite a popular act, especially among hip-hop circles in New England. The Connecticut based emcee has been featured on projects with fellow New England hip-hoppers MC Esoteric, Apathy, and The Problemaddicts. Blacastan will also be releasing his debut album, Blac Sabbath, on Brick Records early in 2010. After laying down a steady flow of neck-breaking tracks, Blacastan had the crowd very hyped. In between sets Blacastan made sure the crowd stayed alert giving shouts to various hip-hop legends (GZA comes to mind), and interacting with the crowd.
Next up was Will C., who was joined on stage by fellow Boston artist, and label-mate, Raheem Jamal. Will C. has been steadily killing the Boston scene, breaking out tracks off his excellent debut LP, Evil In The Mirror, and like Blacastan, also collaborating with MC Esoteric. After allowing Will to put in a superb set, Raheem Jamal did a solo cut for good measure. While talking with Will for a bit, he informed me that he has some exciting plans in mind for his upcoming album.
Apathy was up after Will and Raheem closed out their set. I had a chance to see him about two weeks earlier for the release of Wanna Snuggle? at UGHH. That album has more than enough bangers on it that Apathy’s set packed a punch. He spat a dope a capella in addition to the few non-Wanna Snuggle? tracks that he pulled out.
Finally MC Esoteric came on, explaining the premise of the concept behind Saving Seamus Ryan, and then proceeding to tell the story through only select tracks, all in about just eight minutes. The rest of his set was devoted to some of his older tracks, which the crowd certainly enjoyed. Blacastan and Will C. also joined him on stage for one track each, passing bars back and forth. The show concluded rather abruptly, but overall was still an excellent showcase of some of the finest hip-hop acts that New England has to offer.