Page 115 - ION Indie Magazine MarchApril 2018 Issue

GLOBAL LOCAL calls their music “Hip Hop/Soul/Indie” and they brought it all to a frigid
night in Philadelphia, setting up the crowd for a performance by G. Love & Special
Sauce. The duo was formed between Philly natives Omni MC and Kuf Knotz, who took
their inspiration from conscious hip hop of the 90’s. Omni MC is also part of a hip hop
trio, The Femme-mynistiques, and recently collaborated with Doodle Bug of Digable
Planets. Kuf Knotz has opened for Ms. Lauryn Hill, Common, The Roots, Arrested
Development, Bone Thugs & Harmony, and even Bruce Springsteen. Together, they
blend influences of the past with their forward-looking approach to hip hop that is
upbeat but with an edge.

On this night they were joined by Luna Maye on vocals and Christine Elise on harp. The
foursome layered over prerecorded beats and held the energy high from beginning to
end. The positivity they seek to spread was apparent on stage, but it didn’t interrupt
their cred as respectable masters of verse. Kuf Knotz kept it understated when his mic
wasn’t the spotlight, but opened up as he skillfully placed his words, powerful in
meaning. Omni MC was a bit fierce, with such passion for the rhyming message, but at
the same time, so much charisma it wasn’t possible to pull away when she took the
lead.