Mos Def Disappoints

© Jay West / RumBum.com

Mos Def behind his drum kit at ACL 09.

Day two of Austin City Limits, marked by nearly continuous rain, had left only the faithful at Zilker Park. The crowds didn't necessarily demand more, but a lackluster performance was far less forgivable to people soaked from head to toe. Many had stood for an hour at the AMD stage waiting for Mos Def, and when he began the set 15 minutes late, it was a hard crowd to win back.

For the first two numbers, Mos Def, a typically energetic  performer, stood behind and beat two large drums, with very little other musical accompaniment. This beat would be the sound heralding the steady exodus of the crowd from the stage. The audience didn't have the patience for a slow beginning.

Those who did stay were confused and largely disappointed by the obvious absence of actual rapping. Mos Def is widely considered one of the most prolific wordsmiths in hip hop. While he is generally prone to vocal improvisations, much of the performance was incomprehensible. The set came to a close as oddly as it began. Mos retreated back behind the large drums to sing a cover of Bobby Brown's old school jam, Tenderoni. Not a wholly inappropriate song to cover but since the rapping had been less than expected, the off-key rendition did not have a positive effect.

The final song of the set was Sound is Vibration, at which point Mos Def finally attempted to engage the crowd. No dice. The sound of rain drowned the chirping of crickets as Mos tried to get a "holla back" from the audience. During the final third of the song, a group of the most amazing break dancers took the stage with the sickest moves ever. One performer spun on his head for 30 seconds at least. The crowd (what was left) went wild. Mos Def uprooted himself from the spot on the stage he had occupied for most of the show and comically attempted to break dance. It was the highlight of the show and then it was over.

What could be learned from Mos Def's off kilter performance at Austin City Limits? Be on time. Don't stand in one place. Always have more than three minutes of coolness in your bag of tricks. Especially if it's raining.