With an open mind, and pure excitement for my inevitable run-in with dinosaur fossils, I ventured to the Museum of Natural History in New York City to see Theophilus London and The Very Best.  I had never been to a gig at this sort of venue, so of course I was ecstatic!  I was most definitely NOT disappointed.

The museum was packed!  Hundreds of excited music lovers all flocked into a building known more for butterflies than for music to see some of music’s biggest rising stars.  Now it isn’t every day that I see live hip-hop, but I think I may start changing that. Theophilus London is like taking a breath from an inhaler after a 20 mile run.  What I mean by that is that I’m so often frustrated by todays urban music.  So much of it is such trash that lacks substance and any sense of appeal to me.

Theophilus is the exception to the rap rule.  He’s talented both musically and lyrically (he even has a drummer), and seems to have followerd from all walks of life.  Hipsters and ballers unite!  His Alway Love You and Day One Fans were stunning examples of why this guy is quickly climbing the music scene ladder.  All his songs are filled with fun hooks and meandering rhymes that make music fans everywhere flock to his shows.  He’s someone to keep an out out for.

Now the reason I went to this show was to see how The Very Best would stack up love to their very fun studio album.  While I was initially disappointed by the lack of instruments on the stage, I soon realized that it didn’t much matter.  Background dancers, talented DJs, and an animated Esau Mwamwaya (lead singer) got me dancing along like an absolute fool!  I was seriously dancing with no regard to those around.  Probably pretty annoying for them.  On second thought, EVERYONE was dancing like idiots, so I’m all good.

His lyrics, while unrecognizable as they’re all sung in an African language, flowed like buttah on a hot biscuit.  Great analogy right?  Guess not.  I was fully impressed by The Very Best’s entire set.  It was something very different than what I’m used to, yet the indie feel was still there.  He did covers of Yeasayer’s Ambling Alp as well as M.I.A.’s Paper Planes, which were both awesome.  I could go on, but I’ll save you the time and simply tell you that you must see them live.  You will be blown away by how refreshing their music is.  If you’re unfamiliar with the music of The Very Best and Theophilus London, check out the MP3 below.

Day One Fans – Theophilus London Day One Fans – Theophilus London