Columnist Spencer Patterson: Rap music’s image has matured with time

Spencer Patterson

Friday, Dec. 13, 2002 | 9:18 a.m.

Spencer Patterson covers music for the Sun. His music notes column appears Fridays. Reach him at spencer@lasvegassun.com or (702) 259-2309.

When Public Enemy arrived on the national music scene in the late 1980s, Chuck D was branded a dangerous individual.

His revolutionary rhyming railed against perceived racial and socio-economic injustices, making many Americans rather uncomfortable.

At Monday night's "Billboard Music Awards," Chuck D's appearance as a presenter was greeted with a standing ovation -- proof of just how far mainstream American has come in embracing hip-hop music over the past 15 years.

A crowd of nearly 11,000 rightfully recognized one of the genre's most influential figures as he paid homage to another, slain Run-DMC DJ Jam Master Jay.

"Every single rap act since owes them a debt of gratitude," Chuck D said of Jay's former group.

The same could be said of Public Enemy. From Chuck D's forceful rhymes to his production team's groundbreaking techniques, the group has influenced countless rap acts over the years.

Even as the audience filed out basking in a post-party glow Monday night, the 42-year-old New York native couldn't help but throw out a few jabs during an interview session.

"To see that respect for a hip-hop artist is profound ... but it's bittersweet," Chuck D said. "The legacy and the strength of black music has often been pushed to the side."

And before exiting himself, he started pushing open yet one more door for hip-hop music.

"To see (Jay) get the respect of a Ringo (Starr) or a Rod Stewart or a Don Henley is profound," he said. "And when Run-DMC is inaugurated into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, that will be another step," he said.

Music notes

Axing Axl: Fans holding tickets for Guns N' Roses' scheduled Dec. 28 show at Mandalay Bay Events Center received a Get out of Jail Free Card this week when promoter Clear Channel Entertainment cancelled the band's remaining tour schedule.

With missed dates, riots and bad reviews mounting, GNR's first tour since 1993 fizzled after less than a month. Singer Axl Rose, the only original member on board, reportedly struggled with his vocals, and by most accounts the rest of the band failed to gel.

Refunds are available at the original point of purchase.

Sad news: Vocalist/guitarist Mary Hansen of experimental European indie rock outfit Stereolab died Monday in a bicycle accident in London. She was 36.

A member of the band since 1992, Hansen helped craft Stereolab's unique sound, which blended elements of pop, electronica and lo-fi.

The band's first major label release, 1993's "Transient Random Noise Bursts With Announcements," remains one of indie rock's enduring masterpieces.

Quick hits

A look at a few of the shows scheduled to hit Southern Nevada in the next week:

Proceeds from tonight's "Shade Tree IV: Night of Hits" 8 p.m. concert at House of Blues at Mandalay Bay will benefit Las Vegas' Shade Tree women's shelter. Alternative rock act the Gin Blossoms, '80s hitmaker John Waite and singer/songwriter Lisa Loeb will perform. Tickets are $30, $40 and $100.

The Huntridge Theatre hosts rap-metal outfit Zebrahead tonight at 7:30. The Orange County, Calif., band has released three albums on Columbia Records. One Side Zero, Trailer Park Pam and Lennon open. Tickets are $15.

Veteran album rock band Styx plays a pair of 10:30 p.m. shows tonight at Saturday at Le Theatre Des Arts at Paris Las Vegas. The group released most of its best-known material during the 1970s and early '80s, including FM staples "Lady," "Come Sail Away" and "Mr. Roboto."

On Saturday, singer/songwriter Tori Amos holds court at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel at 8 p.m. Though her visibility has dropped noticeably in the years since her 1992 debut, "Little Earthquakes," Amos has continued to receive favorable reviews and retains a strong fan following. Tickets are $35, $45 and $60.

Founding Wu-Tang Clan member GZA/Genius performs Tuesday night at 8 at Blue Note Las Vegas. The New York City-based hardcore rapper -- cousin of Wu-Tang members 'Ol Dirty Bastard and RZA -- released his fourth solo album, "Legend of the Liquid Sword," this week. J-Live and Pokaface open. Tickets are $18.

On sale

Phish returns to the Thomas & Mack Center for a pair of shows Feb. 15 and 16. The popular jam band has been on hiatus since 2000, when the quartet played two concerts at the T&M. Tickets are $40.50 and will go on sale Saturday at 10 a.m. at the T&M box office, at UNLV ticket outlets by phone at 739-3267 and online at unlvtickets.com.

Fans of Phish's improvised approach will have a pair of midnight aftershows to choose from on both nights: Particle at Blue Note Las Vegas and moe. at the House of Blues.

Tickets for three shows at the House of Blues went on sale this week: R&B singer Erykah Badu on Jan. 18 ($37, $50, $60), alt-metal band Papa Roach on Jan. 23 ($16) and punksters the Alkaline Trio on Feb. 6 ($11). Tickets for all three concerts can be purchased at the House of Blues box office, at Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 632-7600 or 474-4000 or online at ticketmaster.com or hob.com.