The Smoker’s Club [Method Man, Curren$y, Big K.R.I.T.] - The Paradise (Boston, MA; Nov 23, 2011)

‘Twas the night before Thanksgiving, and after 35 cities The Smoker’s Club tour planted in Boston for its final night. It was a tightly rolled evening, four hours of entertaining hip-hop that brought MC after MC to the stage in front of an adoring audience. It helped that each opening act was hyped by Shiest Bubz (purple sour!), whose shopping bags of swag kept the crowd excited with free smokes. The result was a cannabis and nicotine buzz for the mostly 18+ throng pushed against the stage, and a warm welcome to each performer who handled the mic.

Only an hour after doors opened, there was action on stage. Now, the amount of rhyming was short; but the topical quips and anecdotes about the cute bartender on the upper floor was entertaining. It was an even ratio of 1:1 for women brought on stage to actual songs performed. My notes sure didn’t help, and the posted set times sure didn’t list 1/2 of the guys who grabbed some stage time, so I’ll move to the headliners.

Whether backing other performers, most notably Curren$y with rhymes and walking assistance, Smoke DZA filled the Paradise with his catch phrase “riiiight!” all night. His live delivery was much more heavy, adding gritty tones to solid songs like “Kushed God.” And much Massachusetts love for bringing out Termanology; Lawtown was well represented.

Big K.R.I.T. comes with major label support, but with delays in releasing an official album. None of this really matters, though, as the Mississippi raised K.R.I.T. pounced through his set. Most folks could work their way through “Country Shit” and “Glass House,” but even casual listeners bounced with his buoyant energy. Interestingly, he was the only performer who seemed to eschew name checking strains of marijuana or sampling product from the crowd.

With the stage done up to resemble a typical basement smoke den (leather couches, wood paneling, lots of guys just lounging), Curren$y was lifted on stage via golden throne since a doctor had warned him about putting any weight on a broken foot. He complied, and delivered a blistering performance from an armrest. Seriously, when he needed to work the other side of the crowd, a few guys needed to fireman’s carry him to a second couch. Even if most folks in the Paradise weren’t able to see him, the relentless delivery and witty cackles made Curren$y stand tall. Not a bad move to rock Celtic throw-backs for a Boston show, either.

Even if you’d mastered all 36 chambers and battled the mightiest swordsman in the land, nothing prepares you for Method Man. I’ve always viewed him as the teddy bear of Wu-Tang, an impression formed as a fan of the “Method & Red” sitcom, but never could I have expected such a gregarious and engaging presence. He took over the building, and held it completely in check through all of his songs. Even the rarest of Tical material wrapped your attention because of Method’s infectious grin and self-aware poor dancing. Method operated through vast emotional territory: nostalgia for “C.R.E.A.M” and other Wu-bangers, sadness during an ODB tribute, and wonderment through a lesson in how to flow like Inspectah Deck at the opening of “Triumph.” Whether launching his whole frame into the crowd, climbing up into the rafters, or just shooting a smile, Method Man made everyone feel real high.

DOWNLOAD: Method Man - Smoke DZA - #KushedGod (MP3) or Follow us for more Method Man MP3s (Twitter)

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