I rolled up to the Showbox the other night to catch De La Soul. I attempted to gain entry and was informed by the doorman that I would be needing to wait in line with the rest of the good folks that had either failed to purchase tickets in advance or had their tickets waiting for them at will call, inside. Let me just say it was freaking cold out there. I didn't bring a coat because I'm not a huge fan of the coat check. Not that I think anything bad is going to happen to my coat, or that the fine person working said coat check is not to be trusted, it's just me. So there I was, feeling all proletariat, freezing my butt off.

I spent over 20 minutes in that line, and I was beginning to think that I should've gotten there earlier. At last it started moving, and I was allowed passage into the building...to wait in line again. At least this one was inside.

Vitamin D was throwing down some superlative beats and the place was filling up. Overall there was an intense energy in the room. Soon, I left the somewhat cramped confines of the bar and made my way onto the floor. Over on the far side of the club, there was a photographer taking posed shots of people. The backdrop was the best part. In huge three foot letters the words "BIG BALLIN'" came blinging out at me while enormous stacks of airbrushed Bennies rose from the bottom.

Around this time, the Blue Scholars took the stage. They kicked off the set with some kind words for the recently departed Russell Jones, and proceeded to get the crowd moving. This was the first time I'd had the opportunity to see the Scholars and I was definitely impressed. The music was very tight, their set was well put-together, and the crowd participation was great. I've seen a lot of opening acts that seem to fall short when it comes to getting heads banging, but these guys tore it up.

During the set, I kept smelling this strange funk. It was like someone had brought their pet skunk and set it loose in the pit. It must have caused the establishment some concern - every time I smelled it I saw a bouncer come pushing through the crowd looking for the cause of the odor.

The Scholars finished up their set, so I had myself a beverage and enjoyed a little encore from Vitamin D. Butta Verses was up next. After a quick monologue, he got down to business. Now, here's a guy that loves his job. He looked like he was having a blast that night and I think everyone else in the house was there with him.

After all the madness, De La Soul took the stage and they did not disappoint. Seventeen years is a long, long time in the entertainment business. In hip-hop, that kind of longevity is mostly unheard of. These guys are professionals in every sense. Their set was a good mix of new material and old favorites - they also did a great job getting the crowd involved. It's refreshing to find floors in Seattle where there aren't people standing around with arms crossed, staring at the floor. I think it's safe to say - all who went got their money's worth.