Review: The Rapper Chicks (Psalm One) #SXSW Highlight
My SXSW 2015 musical highlight has to go to Psalm One with The Rapper Chicks. It was an unexpected pit stop at theAudiotree Showcase. I saw 3 bands at this venue before they went on stage, which were solid, but did not mentally prepare me for these 3 ladies. The oomph they bring to the stage creates an electric atmosphere. I don’t usually notice the audience, but all three women engrossed everyone who had been standing in the humidity for hours. Lyrically, Psalm One was provocative and sexual, but not overtly where it borders on crass and vulgarity. As someone who has a love/hate relationship with hip-hop and rap, it is refreshing to see some cleverness added to some sexually driven songs; even if a tune has the word “snatch” at the front line.
As The Rapper Chicks, each woman has her own persona and style; they feed off each other's energy as they are all at different parts of the spectrum. Visually, they transform the stage into shenanigans and force that is driven by pure allure. Although Fluffy (hope I’m getting that right) has the swagger and Angela Davenport some amazing vocal chops, Psalm One's (Cristalle Bowen) connection to the band--consisting of bass, guitar, and drums--is amazing. She rides each riff, bass line, and lunge of the percussion with her strong stage presence and voice. She gives off nothing but auspicious vibes, with only part of her musical soul on display; one can see how aware she is of the x, y, and z’s of life. She takes the good with the bad, with the fun. That alone makes for an energizing performance on all fronts, solo or as a group.