“Rusko!…Rusko!…Rusko!” – the audience simultaneously chants. On Sat, April 10th, The Metro was jam-packed with dub-step lovers from Chicago. Rusko is a high energy, fun dub-step Dj who’s music has been sampled by renowned artists like Diplo and Caspa. You could feel the suspense as the bass-hungry people impatiently waited for Rusko to drop that beat. At last, Rusko opens up the night and is pumpin’ out beats. A mix of high frequency melodies above BB Gun could be heard. There were lazer sounding beats that went along quite well with Rusko’s high intensity jumping, thrusting, flailing – as he is pointing his hand-gun gesture towards the crowd and shooting it with every punch. The griminess of the womp was leveled out by some pop-female-trance vocals that were faded in and out. Finally, Rusko resorts back to the familiar by remixing Kid Cudi’s “Day N’ Night and Skreams’ Dutch Flowers.”

Major Lazer foam hands are bobbing up and down in the audience before flashes of multicolored lasers skim the heads in the audience. Major Lazer is Diplo and Switch’s side project with a Jamaican commando hype-man. Unexpectedly, two big bootied’, half naked women appear on stage shaking their bodies like mashed potato’s as one wild white-mo-hawked man yells random obscenities into the microphone. Apparently, the respected Diplo and Switch were mixing in the background, yet all of this pretend screwing on stage, and mow-hawk mans’ dropping his pants the floor became a bit of a distraction to the music. Diplo was mixing such an eclectic underground and versatile mix of music that included almost every track from ”Guns Don’t Kill People Lazers Do”. What really got the audience excited though, was when he hit us with “All That She Wants” – from the now-antiquated Ace of Base. Major Lazer’s entire performance undoubtedly had shock value and wasn’t your typical DJ set, however, it could have been accomplished in a bit more classy manner. Overall, the night was pumped full of high energy with blends of different music styles, new & old, that really gave it a provocative touch in the end.

What do you get when you mix a high intensity, heavy bass dubstep legion with an entertaining sing-along act and a backing powerhouse DJ? The crowd at the local Chicago venue, The Metro, can answer just as well as anyone, so why don’t you ask them? With the UK dubstep act, Rusko opening for the highly entertaining electro/hip hop act, Major Lazer, the anticipation was exciting. It was a sold out show and a line stretched halfway down the block. The crowd was in good spirits, awaiting what was sure to be a night to remember.
With patrons pouring in from every doorway and hallway, a full venue it became; and just when it seemed impossible to accommodate another person, the show began. The crowd was constantly pushing for the opportunity to get close enough to see the sweat on Ruskos face and the jump in his step. The energy charged DJ sent the crowd into a dubstep coma of fist pumping and head banging to the heavy bass style of music known as dubstep. There were buildups that gave the crowd just as much energy as the UK DJ did himself, as he is known for his high energy and fast-paced touring schedule. His track choices and transitions left both Rusko lovers and the faint of heart content, and all that remained was the smiles on their faces as they awaited the sexually charged Major Lazer debut.
Major Lazers world wide touring DJ, Diplo, approached the turntables with confidence and ease as he prepared his equipment and the crowd with what was sure to be a show just as energetic as the previous. Major Lazer himself, followed by his two female companions, approached the stage to the mixed sounds of high-pitched screaming and loud roars of excitement. It was their first Chicago appearance since August. They are known for mixing multiple genres that appeal to the diverse crowds looking to dance. Whether your among the crowd that enjoys or despises the generalization of what once used to be an underground genre, and is now taking the shape of big label acts trying to fill arenas, its hard not to bob your head and move your feet to the rhythm. If you’re skeptical, it’s not all bad. With some quality mixes and a well-known DJ backing up the act, there is anything but the lack of talent and energy in this duo.
Whether you’re the electronic/hip hop type, or a heavy bass driven personality, the show was truly a great mix that satisfied both crowds, and their hunger for music. Chicago, drawing inspiration from both the east and west coasts and luring talent from all over the globe, is truly the Mecca of all things music, adding a flavor of its own. Welcome to the true, Taste of Chicago.

Story by, Chris Hemstreet

For more info about the artists playing at the April 10th Metro showcase, check out their MySpace’s for exclusive tracks and future touring dates.

Rusko: Myspace.com/Rusko

Major Lazer: Myspace.com/MajorLazer