Iron Horse Music Hall
Northampton
Friday
$8adv/$10dos, All Ages
When somebody from the University of Massachusetts is exceptionally talented – and the rest of the country takes notice – it is immensely important that the University community also extends its support. In the case of UMass’ own Cold Duck Complex, most of you may have already been to a show to get down with the Duck. Nevertheless, Cold Duck Complex will be rapping its way into the Iron Horse Music Hall in Northampton on Thursday and they hope the UMass massive come out in force to support them. Cold Duck will no doubt bring their phenomenal stage presence to the Iron Horse. The show starts at 10 p.m.
Cold Duck has received numerous accolades over the past several years since they started playing their jazz fusion/funk/island influenced blend of hip-hop that is trademarked by their bone rattling beats and electrifying bass lines. They were the Valley Advocates 2004 Best Hip-Hop Artists and won the battle of the bands here at UMass in 2003. This earned them a slot on the bill that featured 50 Cent, Reel Big Fish and Rahzel at the Mullins Center. Their sophomore album, “Figureheads,” reached as high as number 11 on CMJ’s North American hip-hop charts. They have toured extensively here in Massachusetts as well as New York and have established a good reputation for rocking the house. They also appeared on MTV University and opened for Esoteric, Soulive, Granola Funk Express, 7L, Ordinary K and the Addison Groove Project. They have just completed dates in Rhode Island, New York and New Hampshire all the while enrolled in classes here at the University.
Cold Duck Complex is a trio made up of Makaya McCraven on drums, Joe Cardoza on bass, and Jeff D’Antona on keys. They back up Platypus Complex – better known as Casey Hayman – whose lyrics range from the goofy to the introspective. Hayman is a brilliant front man who never seems to slip up in his pursuit of extraordinary lyricism. McCraven’s three-piece kit work is equally as amazing and he is truly a sight to see as well as hear. As far as the rest of the band goes, D’Antona and Cardoza are as talented as the rest of this UMass based outfit, and what they lack in stage presence they make up for in skill.
“This show should be a humdinger,” McCraven said. “These shows [when we come home] are always our best.”
Opening the show is Outernational. They are an N.Y.C. based jazz fusion/ Latin/ dancehall/ hip-hop quintet whose political message is just as important as their outstanding stage performances and lead singer Miles Solay’s smooth and powerful raps. They often play at rallies for their political causes and have toured with everyone from Wyclef Jean to Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave) who had nothing but great things to say about them in interviews.
The show promises to be a great night of hip-hop, so come out and support UMass’ own Cold Duck Complex as they make a bigger name for themselves and put UMass on the hip-hop map.
