Public Enemy's Chuck D. and Flavor Flav caused jaws to drop when they made an unannounced visit in 2006 and gave an amazing performance. Afrika Bambaataa was just as impressive when he provided an "awesome" electronica and dancehall set two years ago. And rap icon Jeru the Damaga was in rare form when he spat killer rhymes as DJs furiously scratched away during his appearance.
These are a mere handful of great memories that Element, Pickster One, and the other cats behind The Blunt Club have accumulated over the years. And they've got plenty to choose from, considering that the venerated hip-hop joint has been kicking it for exactly a decade.
The Blunt Club has been the Valley's longest-running club event and a premier showcase since 2003 for dope DJs, talented urban artists, and local and national underground and alternative hip-hop artists. Pickster and Element are planning a pair of potent parties this weekend celebrating the weekly's 10th birthday, which will feature pimp performances and the return of a few old friends.
It kicks off on Thursday, May 17, with a special edition of The Blunt Club at its current home at Yucca Tap Room, 29 West Southern Avenue in Tempe, where appearances by Abstract Workshop's DJ Cocoe, Sandpeople's IAMe, local legends The Insects, Saint Warhead, and others will be featured. Things will be equally off the hook on Friday, May 18, over at the weekly's former home, Hollywood Alley, 2610 West Baseline Road in Mesa, where DJ Organic will join in and Mouse Powell and Ill All the Anglo-Saxon will perform. Both nights also will feature former resident DJs Hyder and the night's longtime host/emcee Emerg McVay (of Bionic Jive fame). Each event starts at 8 p.m. Admission is $5. See yobluntblog.tumblr.com
