Black Thought delivers a verse during PRhyme’s Underground Arts show | Photo by Matthew Shaver | mattshaverphoto.com

At close to midnight, in the cold basement club of Underground Arts in Philadelphia, a powerful decree was made in the world of hip-hop as Detroit’s Royce Da 5’9 proclaimed that DJ Premier was his DJ, making the duo official. As PRhyme the pair have put out a masterpiece, and the stunning declaration was as well received as it should have been, wiping away any worries that this may be a one-off project.

DJ Premier is almost always one of 2 or 3 names mentioned when the category of “best hip-hop producers ever” comes up (and almost always the only name mentioned if we narrow that down to just the NY East Coast sound). With Gang Starr, he cultivated the aforementioned sound, and working with others, helped to shape some of the most recognizable music in the genre.

Royce was primed to be the next big thing in rap as Eminem’s friend and associate. As solo act, his MC skills put him at the top of the talent pool, but he wrestled with personal demons, and sometimes interpersonal demons. He hit bottom, but is now shooting his way back up to the top. He mended his relationship with Eminem and the D12 crew, put together a new outfit called Slaughterhouse with Joe Budden, Crooked I, and Joell Ortiz, and, most importantly, he is celebrating 2 years of sobriety (an achievement that Premier proudly exclaimed to boisterous applause).

PRhyme | Photo by Matthew Shaver | mattshaverphoto.com

PRhyme has positioned themselves as the next important duo in the underground. Following partnerships like Mos Def and Talib Kweli, Kany and Common, Premier and Royce have a bond that worked to make a great album, and works out even better on stage. The PRhyme album itself is lean and mean. Clocking in at only 32 minutes, this gave the guys a lot of time to have fun, and showcase their unique skills. Stories were shared (Royce told an intimate tale of his mothers support for his art when he was just a child, sticking up for him against doubtful teachers), recognition was given to the late, great Guru (one of the most emotional lines on the album is on the track U Looz “And this is for the real hip-hop niggas / Who will never ever ever ask me am I here to replace Guru”), and fun was had (for one portion of the show, Royce would ask Premier a question which had to be answered with the turntables.)

Royce was fighting an uphill battle with his voice for the night, but his powerful delivery rarely ever wavered (thanks mostly to lots of water and throat spray). During an extended DJ session Premier took the songs “Valantra” by Les Mccann and “Horizon Drive” by Vic Juris, and live mixed them in to the more recognizable (to that crowd, anyhow) Premier hits “The 10 Crack Commandments” and “Mass Appeal” respectively. Royce brought out his brother, Kid Vishis to help cover some tracks, and gave him the spotlight for a freestyle to lend some respite to his voice.

The highlight of the evening came during “Wishin.” On the album Royce is aided by Common on a track that veers between slow, deliberate raps, and sped up spittin’ of hot fire. To cover for Common, PRhyme decided to show some Philly love, and Black Thought stepped out on stage to thunderous applause, and then demonstrated his mic skills for 3 minutes of rap bliss with Royce. Should go down as one of the best shows of the young year. Yeah, it was that good.