The Poorhouse might be the preferred watering hole of downtown Fort Lauderdale's black sheep, but it's probably the last place in the 954 you'd expect to catch Black Sheep, the Native Tongue-affiliated hip-hop duo. But behold, the Golden Era twosome consisting of Dres and Mr. Long will be hitting the Poorhouse stage Saturday, September 17, in the second unlikely pairing of the Poorhouse and hip-hop we've seen this summer (see our show preview of Camp Lo).
If the name Black Sheep isn't ringing any bells, see if this helps: "Engine Engine Number 9 on the New York transit line, if my train runs off the track pick it up pick it up pick it up!" Yeah, that's it -- you got it.
No doubt their signature tune, "The Choice Is Yours (Revisited)" has endured as a hip-hop standard, included in virtually every rap radio "old school" megamix and club DJ "throwback" set since they started using the terms "old school" and "throwback." Despite this one song overshadowing everything they've done since, combined, Black Sheep are anything but one-trick farm animals. Their 1991 debut, A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing (which includes "The Choice Is Yours"), produced a string of successful singles and can without question be counted among the slew of progressive material released in the late '80s/early '90s that helped shape the face of rap to come. Add in two follow-up albums and a gang of solo material to boot and you've got much more reason than a ten-second bridge to go catch this show.
Check Black Sheep with Community Property on Saturday, September 17, at the Poorhouse, and check here for more info.
And if the choice truly was mine, here are five Black Sheep classics I'd like to hear in addition to "Engine engine number nine..."
5. Flavor of the Month
4. Strobelite Honey
3. Similak Child
2. Without a Doubt
1. U Mean I'm Not
Black Sheep. With Community Property. Saturday, September 17, at Poorhouse, 110 SW Third Ave., Fort Lauderdale. Click here.
Follow County Grind on Facebook and Twitter: @CountyGrind.
