Open Mic Nite at Cozmo's Cafe Shibuya

Open Mic Night at CoZmo’s Café in Shibuya. Philly Hip Hop recording artist Legrand was in town on his Japan tour and I stopped by to welcome the fellow Pennsylvania native. It was my first time to CoZmo’s although I frequent the surrounding area. I was pleasantly surprised to find a few of my other artist friends kickin’ it. I was able to catch a live performance by “MR. DJ,” made up of members Matthew, Ray, David, and Jayson. Matthew is the producer and artist known as Rhyming Gaijin. Ray is a former member of The Drifters bringing that classic doo-wop/soul sound. David is a Hip Hop artist and Jayson sings.

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It was Legrand’s first time to Tokyo and he exclaimed, “This shit is off the chains!” He hadn’t done much sleeping since stepping off the airplane and has only spent time in the Tokyo area. His tour will lead him to perform at the Kansai Music Conference in southern Japan before returning to Tokyo. He feels that everyone is very receptive. He sold more CDs doing the sound check than he has doing actual shows here so far. He was worried how people see you and if they hear your music on Myspace as compared to live. Legrand wasn’t sure how he would be received not speaking Japanese either, which proved not an issue. He speaks several other languages and understands culture, so coming to Japan he wanted to feel Japanese culture while sharing Philly with them. He was definitely impressed by the pureness of Hip Hop and that venues actually played B-sides.

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I was born and raised in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and Legrand is from Philly. I graduated from Temple University and he currently works with many TU alumni in his career. Legrand says the future holds a tight connection with Philly, Tokyo, and Temple. This will be the first of many visits and the beginning of another “OverSeize” connection. “Mr. International” is spreading the “grand” truth about Hip Hop.

http://www.myspace.com/legrandmrinternational
http://www.reverbnation.com/legrand