Jurassic 5 Helps Give Tour a Good Rap

Traditionally, rappers have been regarded as poor live performers, with few in the field capable of delivering a polished show. The criticism definitely applies to many of the genre’s most popular acts, but not to Jurassic 5, Dilated Peoples, Supernatural and the Beat Junkies, the groups featured on the Word of Mouth tour, which opened a two-night stand Wednesday at the House of Blues (it returns for shows at the Glass House Nov. 5 and 6).

Headliners Jurassic 5, whose “Quality Control” is one of the year’s best hip-hop releases, played a seamless, hourlong set that showcased the Los Angeles group’s vocal harmonies and its appreciation for break-dancing and DJing, two components of hip-hop culture that have been overshadowed by rapping. Jurassic 5 rappers Chali 2na, Akil, Zaakir and Marc 7even sing together on many of their choruses and some of their verses, and on Wednesday they sounded like a well-groomed barbershop quartet.

Their lyrics avoid the brutal tales of the streets that Los Angeles rappers are known for. Instead, Jurassic 5 champions feel-good themes, without sacrificing realistic commentary on life in the big city. They don’t position themselves as stars, but when delivering such addictive tracks as “Doo Wop,” “Quality Control” and “Lausd,” there’s no denying that they are worthy of the limelight.

But it was the other aspects of Jurassic 5’s set that pushed it over the top. The group’s DJs, Nu-Mark and Cut Chemist, provided a rousing exhibition that included a deft turntable display and a back-and-forth exchange between Nu-Mark, who was playing a drum machine, and Cut Chemist, who manipulated his scratching to match Nu-Mark’s percussion.

Another highlight was the two swing dancers Jurassic 5 brought out during the instrumental track “Swing Set.” Dressed in pinstripe suits, the fluid dancers put on a dazzling display of break-dancing moves, spinning quickly on their heads and executing flips that would have made an Olympic gymnast proud.

At the conclusion of its set, Jurassic 5 extended an invitation to the tour’s other acts and other rappers in attendance to join them for impromptu performances. Dilated Peoples’ Evidence and Rakaa, who spearheaded their group’s strong set earlier in the evening, emerged along with Xzibit, Defari and Supernatural. Xzibit, who was the most ferocious rapper to perform Wednesday, saluted Jurassic 5 and the Word of Mouth tour, but it was Supernatural who stole the show-closing free-for-all.

The Indiana-bred rapper’s claim to fame is his uncanny ability to spontaneously rap about his surroundings, and he made up short rhymes about nearly everybody on the stage. The free-flowing Supernatural’s tributes to each of the performers was a fitting end to a celebration of hip-hop’s innovation and diversity.

* Word of Mouth tour, Nov. 5 and 6 at the Glass House, 200 W. 2nd St., Pomona, 8 p.m. $20. (909) 469-5800.