The Jazz Cafe continued its superb hip-hop bookings with Goya Gumbani and Roc Marciano on the list for the end of September. I admit to being as excited to see the support act as the main artist. I’ve had a lot of love for Mr Gumbani for a good few years now and I just love the mystical atmosphere he often creates when he plays. It’s also the perfect pairing for a line up, Gumbani is ethereal and poetic and Marciano is melodic with an edge.

Gumbani opened perfectly in a haze of smoke. Smooth, measured and relaxed in his musical delivery he went on to humbly spell his name out for a crowd member who wanted to make a note of it. It was good to see because artists have a really bad habit of mumbling or rushing their name so even the keenest of crowd members would struggle to Google a new favourite (take note!).

One thing you can definitely say is that Marciano’s fans are real. The crowd was hype to see him in a way that felt at odds with his calm, but confident, delivery and laid back beats. He played tracks from across his extensive catalogue intermingling storytelling, braggadocio and elegant beats often helped out by his devoted following who knew his tracks verbatim. The set never notably reached a crescendo but there were some definite favourites that went off.

I think this was just another night to add to the many that are firmly cementing the Jazz Cafe into hip-hop history. Watch out for upcoming events.

Words and Pictures: Kate Vice