Every time east-Vancouver rap duo The Global Syndicate visit Lethbridge, the crowd gets crazier.
“ It was a good show,” observed Lala of their Nov. 5 show with D12’s Bizaare and west coast rap veteran Xzibit, who had several hundred audience members pumped up and frothing in front of the stage at Bully’s Entertainment Centre to rabid beats and thundering basslines, and people who seemed to be enjoying themselves, other than the ones who wanted to fight.
“It’s always a good time,” added Dough-P noting things have come a long way for the duo since signing a management deal with Black Phoenix, after a “homey” discovered them performing on the street and selling their mix-tape “Van cities’ Best Kept Secret.
The next thing they knew they were touring the country with heavy hitters like D12 and Rae-Kwon, and Xzibit on this tour.
“Every time we come here, the crowd gets more crazy,” he added.
Lala noted this fast ride upwards has been a learning experience for the duo, who are enjoying the trip and credit a lot to Black Phoenix for guiding them on their way.
“We were on the street selling our tape, and now we’re touring with Raekwon and D12,” Lala enthused adding touring with the veterans means they are able to improve their own game every tour.
“The people want to have a perfect evening, but there is no perfect show, there is always something to learn,” Lala said.
“Having a DJ (DJ Profa-C-Los) playing for 10 minutes before we even get on, getting the crowd worked up, that’s amazing,” he said adding they learned a lot just by watching Raekwon on the last tour about how to work the mic and the crowd.
They are learning more by watching Xzibit in action on this tour.
“It’s little things, like how to be professional, showing up on time for soundcheck, that kind of thing. It’s great to be touring with a real west coast rapper, ” Lala enthused of touring with both Raekwon and Xzibit.
Bizaare also enjoyed his performance, which he ended by wrapping himself in a Canadian flag and yelling he loves Canada.
“It was dope, man. There was a lot of energy and love,” he said, relaxing back stage, while Xzibit’s beats thundered through the air, adding he still performs with D12, which counted Eminem among their numbers, and who have a new CD coming out, which is yet to be titled.
“There’s a lot more one hit wonders today,” he observed.
“They need more longevity,” he continued adding he doesn’t think rap music has improved with age.
“No man, it hasn’t improved. I think they need to go back to what it was. They need to start writing about subjects,” he observed adding he still keeps it real and connects with his fans by partying with them after his shows and hanging out with them.
Meanwhile, on stage Xzibit was working the crowd like the seasoned pro he is, stating “Nobody can drink more than Xzibit,” which caused his hype man to yell “If you think you can drink more than Xzibit, then say fuck you Xzibit,” which they all did.