Could you guys recommend an artist (preferably hip hop) with a great live show. I'm tryna step my game up and would like to watch a few videos. thanks
Ok. You're in DC, so look no further than 40 minutes North and you'll hear about an MC based in Baltimore named Wordsmith. StradaVirus, a member of this site does a lot of production for him. His show is great and completely original because each and every song is completely acted out with stage props and choreography -but- its still very hip-hop. Him and Chubb Rock are releasing an album real soon.
He has a YouTube channel so you can find him there.
As far as intensity goes Immortal Technique takes the cake. There are very, very few artists
who can perform for a crowd as a total unknown and leave with everyone's respect. His lyrics are very vivid and powerful and he BELIEVES every word of it and you can feel that.
In front of an audience that is familiar with his work, he'll kill it everytime.
Blastmaster KRS-One is the benchmark for the live show for an MC. He still delivers everytime
and w/ all his classics its always great.
But if you still live in DC, study Go-Go artists/bands as well. It's a 100% live music artform so study how different bands get the crowd going. The first go-go band I ever saw live was Rare Essence and I've been hooked ever since and I'm a huge fan of the newer bands such as CCB, Mambo etc.
But to end it off, every artist is different so the best way to get better is to perform music you are excited about, know the song inside and out, and get to know how certain audiences react to your songs.