Live Review: Goodie M.O.B. Reunion Show

The Masquerade // Atlanta, GA // Sept. 9 2009

Spirits were high for the Goodie M.O.B. reunion and the lineup was a meander through Atlanta hip-hop over the past few decades. Whether dropping to DJ Jelly spinning Luke’s Miami-bass drums to “Scrub the Ground,” or watching a high-energy Jammin Crew sing, rap and “yeet” dance like it was 1993, the audience overlooked the rain dousing their salon-fresh dos and enjoyed each moment. Da Youngbloodz, Pastor Troy, Princess Cut and Def Poet Georgia M.E. all gave high-energy performances fit for the occasion. Georgia M.E. controlled the crowd and subdued anxious concertgoers by throwing out lyrics and lists of Atlanta rappers, cussing along with the storm, and doing comedic spoken word between sets. Goodie M.O.B.’s four members finished off the evening in a mass of red, rapping and singing with large grins across their faces as they reveled in their return as torchbearers for Southern conscious hip-hop.


But the highlight of the night was the crowd. They rhymed along with artists they had not seen in years and screamed louder with each passing song. In the audience, several of Atlanta’s forces in independent music spoke with Performer about what Goodie M.O.B. inspired in them as musicians.


“My first intro to Goodie M.O.B was before the Soul Food CD, said Indie soul rocker Dolldaze. “I knew about the buzz before everybody heard about the buzz. They were revolutionary, but still crunk. They evoke emotion, which is what I always tried to do. They keep it real and use real instruments and are musicians.” Great Scott explained how, “Goodie M.O.B. gave a true accurate depiction of Southern urban culture. Before that, the South was lacking that. They were one of the first groups representing hip-hop.” He recalls listening to Soul Food right before getting shot and getting the walkman back at the hospital – which led him to listen to the album over and over again. He felt fortunate after the incident and from it took the message that “the good die mostly over bullshit.” Gripplyaz revealed that their music inspired him to do his music and taught him to “get up, get out and get something – which is pretty much what life is about.” His message to independent hip-hop artists is, in turn, like what he learned from the Dungeon Family: “stay on the grind and stay humble.”

-Review by Ingrid Sibley; photos by Angela Carter

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