Lessons in Time Management

A recurring problem with radio-sponsored festival concerts is that many of the performers play rushed, abbreviated sets that can leave a bad impression. It can be disappointing to sit in the sun all day and see your favorite artist on stage for only 15 minutes.

The fifth annual 92.3 the Beat Summer Jam at Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre on Sunday bucked this trend, with Faith Evans, DJ Quik and Busta Rhymes each delivering 30-minute, emotion-drenched sets that oozed energy and attitude. That might not be long by rock standards, but hip-hop has established its own concert conventions, among them relatively brief performances.

There were also worthy sets from Naughty by Nature, OutKast, Kelly Price and Q-Tip in an eight-hour show that highlighted hip-hop’s diversity. Sure, gangsta rap was present, but quality political rap and credible feel-good hip-hop were also represented. It was a refreshing salute to the breadth of a musical genre that’s too often stereotyped as violent and materialistic.

During her powerful set, Evans, the widow of slain rapper Notorious B.I.G., seemed to plunge into the emotional celebration and pain that she writes about so well. A genuine singer in an era of studio-enhanced phonies, she offered perhaps the concert’s most thrilling moment, a soul-stirring performance of “As Soon as I Get Home.”

But when R&B; and hip-hop share a bill, fans generally react more dramatically to the hip-hop acts. In fact, the biggest response that vocal group Dru Hill enjoyed Sunday came when rapper Ja Rule came out during the last five minutes of its set.

So when Compton rap pioneer DJ Quik emerged toward the end of the day, it was no surprise that the crowd erupted. Quik, who is also an accomplished producer and musician, delivered a high-octane show--he traversed nearly the entire seating area during a rendition of his hit “Tonite,” and hardly took a break during his time on stage.

Quik, whose lyrics focus on relationships and his rapping ability, also made a symbolic stand for gang peace by changing his shirt, trading the colors of one Los Angeles faction for those of another.

Quik was joined by proteges Second II None, AMG, Hi-C and Sugafree, and he allowed his friends to share the spotlight. All these artists have had hits produced by Quik, and all are charismatic performers. Sugafree, who appears on Snoop Dogg’s latest album, stomped and danced throughout most of his stage time, heightening an already explosive performance.

Explosive would be an understatement for Busta Rhymes’ set. The New York rapper, known as much for his high-concept videos and outrageous outfits as for his irresistible music, couldn’t stand still, darting across the stage like a pinball. Rhymes’ sidekick Spliff Star added to the energy as the two ran roughshod through many of Rhymes’ hit singles.

The day’s best technological innovation came from Watts-based singer Tyrese, who offered to invite the first female to call him on his cellular phone on stage with him. It didn’t take long for his phone to ring.