Review: People Under the Stairs

People Under the Stairs brings it from LA to Beijing

Feb 21
People Under the Stairs
RMB 80, RMB 50 (advance).
9pm. Yugong Yishan (6404 2711)

People Under the Stairs. Its shows like this that make Beijing’s off the music map location worth it. Where else can you get the chance to see one of the hiphop’s finest underground acts in a venue so small and out of context it doesn’t even feel real?

Beijing's hiphop heads in the house

The event was slated to start at 9, but the duo didn’t show till 11:30. The crowd and anticipation built until it felt like they were teasing us, but a dj playing the best of ‘90s hiphop- Das EFX, Souls of Mischief, Tribe, Ghetto Boyz- turned Yugong Yishan into a fantastic old school dance party before PUTS even appeared on stage.

A full house at Yugong Yishan

When they finally ambled out, it was no dramatic stage entrance. After five minutes of the duo investigating the setup on stage Thes One announced, “You’re gonna have to hang on for a couple minutes, we gotta change a few things up here because we don’t play out of computers. We just got a drum machine and a box of vinyl back here.”

People Under the Stairs arrives in Beijing

The crowd roared their support, and when the beats finally started, the space was filled with those familiar, smooth flowing solid beats, giving the crowd a taste of LA hiphop at its best.

Towels or no towels, PUTS can rhyme

“This show is about us,” said Thes One, pointing to the crowd, Double K, and himself. “We got something different for you. We’re not just gonna be walking back and forth all slow with towels on our heads.” Then Double K walks up, all slow, with a towel on his head, and the pair launch into a set that undulated between the soulful, no-rush rhymes that branded them into our hearts to begin with and new, faster flow tracks from their new album, Fun DMC, held together with the same phenomenal beats you would expect from the two.

Double K works the crowd into a frenzy

Finally the pair answered the incessant shouts for Acid Raindrops with a performance that sent the packed crowd into a melodic euphoria, with heads accustomed to Beijing weekends filled with top 40 dance remixes swaying to a sound that served as musical soul food.

PUTS showers the crowd with Acid Raindrops

They killed the lights for San Francisco Nights, lighters held high as the crowd absorbed PUTS’ energy like plants in the sun. The pair proved that powerful, playful vibe that made them the best shit to blast while chillin’ on your stoop drinking tall cans is just as comfortable floating across a packed live venue in the capital of China. The show’s only weakness is that it didn’t last longer.

Thes One is back up for more with an encore

"Nike. All day."

Read the Beijinger's interview with People Under the Stairs' Thes One here.

Ok. I hate to hate. But not enough not to. A couple Dos and Don'ts:

1. When an mc sticks the mic in your face and says, “What crew am I from!?” DO say the name of the group. Its written on your ticket in case you forgot.

2. If you get the ok to jump onstage and dance, DON’T attempt to grind with any of the performers. They’re busy.

3. If you have to muscle past the shorties in the front row to take some pictures fine, but DO give that little 90lb girl her spot back after a few minutes. She’s way shorter than you.

4. If you’re really excited after the show, DON’T let out your energy by wailing on some poor kid. This guy was just minding his own business and now he’s all covered in blood. Weak.