Public Enemy are probably the best known proponents of Metal Hip Hop, but you have to see them live to really get that aspect of their music. Cody B. Ware describes himself as the saviour of Metal Hip Hop. I didn’t realize it needed saving. But he did play a remarkable show at Webster Hall during CMJ.
Cody B. Ware © Andrzej Liguz/moreimages.net. Not to be used without permission.
I suspect it was one of the best visual shows at CMJ as I’ve noticed the CMJ website features a picture very similar to the one above that was shot by Hilary J Corts, who was the Photo Director this year. Which means that as well as taking pictures, she also co-ordinated all the CMJ photo volunteers. Those are the people who got a photo pass and had to shoot three assignments in exchange for giving CMJ the rights to use their images for marketing and gallery purposes. Which is a good deal for students and people who don’t have to make a living from taking pictures. But yet another nail in the coffin of professional music photography. However, that is an entirely different subject which I may go into on another occasion. Because this blog is about Cody B. Ware.
Cody B. Ware © Andrzej Liguz/moreimages.net. Not to be used without permission.
The audience was full of girls who were there to see T. Mills, a rising young star with over 180,000 friends in Facebook. I didn’t stay to see the cool T. Mills as I had other places to be, but I suspect that Cody B. Ware may have stolen the show with his swinging from the lighting rig. So much so that I am posting all of the pictures I shot of him whilst he was up there.
Cody B. Ware © Andrzej Liguz/moreimages.net. Not to be used without permission.
At one point a member of his crew ran from the side of the stage and launched himself into the crowd for some good old fashioned crowd surfing. The girls didn’t really know what to make of it and he was lucky some other guys were in the audience to hold him up.
Cody B. Ware © Andrzej Liguz/moreimages.net. Not to be used without permission.
Cody B. Ware © Andrzej Liguz/moreimages.net. Not to be used without permission.
Cody B. Ware © Andrzej Liguz/moreimages.net. Not to be used without permission.
Cody finally came down and continued on with the show. As well as being metal, his band were also quite funky. I’ve listened to his album, Welcome Home, which is available as a free download at his website. The video for #33 Forever is quite cool as well. Although I don’t really get why the two kids are fighting. But I guess it’s something to do with his childhood. The album is a good mix of metal and hip hop with a couple of slow jams on there to keep the girls interested. It’s definitely worth a listen. On the basis of the show I saw, he deserves the mainstream success he is obviously hunting. He put on a great show which the audience appeared to enjoy given the way they kept throwing their arms up in the air when he asked them to.
Cody B. Ware © Andrzej Liguz/moreimages.net. Not to be used without permission.
I will be going to see him again. I suggest you make the effort to check out his music and go see this great performer when he comes to a town near you.
Cody B. Ware © Andrzej Liguz/moreimages.net. Not to be used without permission.
