It’s been 20 years since the ’90s peak of East Coast hip-hop, and nobody is celebrating like Mobb Deep. Following a 20th anniversary tour, a new album and a reissue of their legendary 1995 debut The Infamous, the Queensbridge duo behind such classics as “Shook Ones Pt. II” and “Hit It From the Back” are currently embarking on another string of dates across the U.S. – including a stop at Eugene’s WOW Hall this Saturday.
Eugene’s never been much of a hotspot for touring bands, many of whom prefer to go straight up to Seattle or Portland from San Francisco or vice versa. It might seem puzzling why such a revered and renowned act would choose to go out of their way to grace a humble college town.
The answer lies in the efforts of the UO Cultural Forum and its music coordinator, Christopher Graziani. A longtime hip-hop fan and volunteer at the WOW Hall, Graziani has never previously put on a show of this scale but saw that one of his favorite groups was reuniting and leapt at the opportunity.
“I grew up listening to the so-called ’90s golden era of hip-hop,” Graziani said. “Once I saw that Mobb Deep was going on a 20-year reunion tour I felt like the timing was right.”
Graziani isn’t the only one who’s got Mobb Deep’s back. Austin Gebhard, a UO student and founder of the apparel line Check Clothing, was particularly excited to sponsor the event.
“[Mobb Deep] is a group I’ve always liked, a legendary hip-hop group,” Gebhard said. “I’m really excited to get involved with the event.”
Mobb Deep will be joined at the event by two Oregon artists. The main support will be provided by Landon Wordswell, an MC out of Portland who’s previously played shows with Raekwon, Talib Kweli and Gift of Gab. Also appearing will be Amos “Lachdown” Lachman, a rapper and University of Oregon student who previously opened for Ghostface Killah during his WOW stop last spring.
“It’s really crazy to be opening for Mobb Deep,” Lachman said. “It always amazes me when classic rap acts like that come through Eugene, and I’m super grateful to be involved. To be a shrimpy white kid from Eugene who’s opened for Ghostface Killah and Mobb Deep isn’t exactly typical, and I try to stay aware of how lucky my trajectory has been.”
It’s not often such a legendary artist comes by, and if the list of sponsors is any indication, the town of Eugene knows it. To celebrate 4/20 Eve, Cheba Hut will be giving away free goodies in the back parking lot and selling sandwiches to anyone with the munchies. Off the Waffle will likewise be holding a raffle for free $20 gift cards, and local artist Justin Boggs will be drawing and displaying his work at the event. Mobb Deep’s WOW stop should offer a rare chance to see one of the most influential and respected ’90s rap groups in action.
Tickets are $10 in advance for University of Oregon students, $20 in advance for non-UO students and $20 at the door. Open to all ages. The doors open at 8 p.m. and the show starts at 9 p.m.