By Ani Yapoundzhyan, 20
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Why didn't Ghostface Killah get the respect he deserves?
Photos by Ani Yapoundzhyan, 20

No matter how talented the artist, the person with the hottest single got the love and attention of the 10,000-plus crowd at 100.3 The Beat’s Summer Jam 2000.

The trio Next was the perfect example. Their mediocre performance and infantile choreography were rewarded with extensive applause and cheers from the crowd. Girls flocked to the stage to see Next sing "Wifey" and drooled every time they took their shirts off or grabbed themselves.

Many of the R&B artists who played during the eight-hour concert, including Mya, Carl Thomas, Ideal and Joe were disappointing and unoriginal. The audience loved those acts too, singing to the chorus, cheering and generally feeling the music.

Raphael Saadiq, Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Dawn Robinson, who make up Lucy Pearl, came with the funk and soul that the rest of R&B acts lacked. They did songs from back in the day such as En Vogue‘s "Don’t Let Go," Q-Tip and Saadiq’s "Gettin’ Involved" and classic A Tribe Called Quest, "Award Tour," along with new tracks off their debut album.

Surprisingly, the hip-hop performers did not get the love they deserved. Ghostface Killah brought out Raekwon, U-God and The RZA (yes, that’s three Wu-TangIronman‘s "All That I’ve Got Is You," dedicated to his mother. But the audience sang along when he performed his new single. Go figure.

Perhaps the biggest shock of all was the lack of interest shown during Mos Def‘s set. The front pit, which stayed crowded during most acts (and was fully packed during Da Brat and JD‘s set) was all but empty except for a few hardcore fans. People were just not paying attention. The crowd was equally passive when the other half of Black Star, Talib Kweli, joined Mos on stage and performed "Definition."

It’s amazing how people can go crazy over a hook like "Girl, you’re dancing too close" but lose interest when a true MC spits some intelligent, original lyrics that should not only be heard but absorbed. What does that say about our culture?

I asked Mos Def what he thought about the fact that he did not get enough love during his show.

"I get their respect," Def said. "Anybody can get love, but you gotta come out with respect first. That’s all I’m concerned about. If you respect me, then love will come."

Respect has always been an issue with Lil’ Kim, who put on a flashy performance in true bad girl style, lyrically putting the fellas in their place. She came with songs off the new Notorious K.I.M. She really got the crowd hyped with older songs such as "Get Money," "Player’s Anthem," "Crush on You," and "Don’t want D."

A very sensual aura surrounded the captivating singer’s performance. She looked like she just came from a MAC photo shoot, blue eyes, blond hair and all. With every move, lyric and look, she was breathing sex. Looks as though she earned her alias, Queen B*#%*.

Common tore the house up


One of the most entertaining acts was Common, who came prepared with wardrobe and skits. He had a costume change to represent every decade in hip-hop and went from a fro and bell bottoms to old skool sweatpants and Adidas, complete with the b-boy stance. In true hip-hop style, he actually started to breakdance, and his set, including power moves such as windmills as well as footwork, showed that he knew his roots. He performed "The Light," dedicating it to the moms, sisters, wives and girlfriends. He also did songs from the days of Common Sense, and surprisingly, had the whole crowd on their feet and feeling the show.

"When I record an album, I make sure I grow as an artist. I make the music I feel in my heart," Common said after his performance.

The one thing that topped Common’s incredible set was the surprise performance by the legendary Stevie Wonder! Wonder and his live band turned the auditorium into one huge jam session. Wonder performed timeless tunes including "Just Enough For The City," "All I do," "Superstitious" and the ever-famous "Ribbon In The Sky."

The band got so fast toward the end of "Ribbon" they eventually ended up just jamming. Some audience members danced and grooved in the aisles. I was in awe watching the legendary musician of my father’s old CDs performing live right in front of my eyes. Wonder was the evening’s last act. He captivated most people, but still others walked out during his performance.

R&B act Lucy Pearl put the rhythm back in the R&B.

I wonder about the mentality of some people when they sleep on artists such as Mos Def, De La Soul and even Stevie Wonder but then flock to the stage when Next pulls up their shirts to reveal their abs. What is wrong with our generation?

Two years ago, at a very memorable Summer Jam ’98, with legends such as A Tribe Called Quest and KRS-One blowing up the spot, thousands of voices were shouting, "The real hip hop is over here!"
This time around, while some acts were indeed disappointing, it was the audience that made me wonder, the real hip hop is over where?
members) out on stage with him, and he still struggled to get audience participation. The crowd did not seem too interested in older songs such as