photo by steed media service

Detroit may be known as Rock City, but hip-hop has definitely been making its mark in Motown. This became evident when the Rock the Bells concert tour invaded the DTE Energy Music Theater in Clarkston, Mich. The crowd was raucous and thirsty for the pure hip-hop sounds of the concert's scheduled performers. Hip-hop power players such as Talib Kweli, Pharoahe Monch, and Detroit's-own Slum Village anointed the crowd with their energetic and positive performances. Despite their noble efforts though, there was no way that they could upstage the performances by hip-hop icons Nas and the Wu-Tang Clan, who served as the tour's headliners. Nas' appearance threw the crowd into a frenzy, especially when he performed hits like "Made You Look." In the end though, it was all about the Wu-Tang Clan. The chants of "Wu-Tang Clan ain't nothin' to f- with," resounded from all corners of the venue. Adding an emotional element to the evening's proceedings, all of the living members of the Wu-Tang Clan rushed the stage to pay tribute to deceased member, ODB, uniting the Wu in both body and spirit. When done correctly, hip-hop can be a beautiful thing. - delgie jones

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