On Friday, January twenty third, East Coast legend AZ took over La Santa in Orange County, delivering an evening that felt equal elements nostalgic and timeless. The Queens MC introduced the group straight again to the golden period of hip-hop with a strong efficiency of his traditional debut album, Doe or Die.
It’s been almost 30 years since Doe or Die first dropped, but the influence of the report nonetheless hits simply as exhausting at present. From the opening moments of the set, AZ reminded everybody why the album stays a cornerstone of East Coast rap—sharp lyricism, clean supply, and a simple presence that hasn’t light with time. Listening to these tracks stay was greater than a efficiency; it was a celebration of an period that continues to affect hip-hop tradition.
The power inside La Santa was electrical as longtime followers and new listeners alike rapped alongside, proving that true classics by no means age. AZ commanded the stage with confidence, shifting seamlessly via the set and displaying why his title nonetheless carries weight a long time later.
Kicking off the evening was Joe The Poet, who set the tone with an ecstatic and interesting opening set. Joe captivated the group together with his supply whereas previewing new materials, giving followers a glimpse of what’s subsequent whereas warming up the room completely for the primary occasion. His efficiency added depth to the evening, mixing spoken phrase power with uncooked emotion and presence.
Total, the present was a reminder of hip-hop’s longevity and the facility of stay efficiency. From Joe The Poet’s compelling opener to AZ’s unforgettable run via Doe or Die, the evening at La Santa was one for the books—a real homage to the previous, whereas nonetheless feeling alive within the current.