Mad Decent Block Party: 2011 Los Angeles
Recession weary Angelinos were out in full force at Diplo’s very own Mad Decent Block Party. Taking it to the streets with nothing more than a few fences and good speakers, this year’s Mad Decent Block Party was a throwback to block parties that mimicked the old-school flair of New York block parties of the 1970s. The warm summer weather was spot on as hundreds of party-goers packed a small street in Downtown LA’s industrial area. Featuring performances by Major Lazer, Death Grips, Nadastrom and many other acts employing styles ranging from Hip-Hop to Moombaton with a DJ set or two for good measure, Mad Decent put on a free party that once again proved Los Angeles knows how to have a good time. Not only was the music bumping, but there were even food trucks and a dodgeball arena for people who were not so inclined to dance in the 80+ degree weather.
The organization was actually more thought out and well managed than what you’d expect out of a free block party. EMT’s were onsite for anyone who partied a little too hard, which came in handy for a few passed out patrons. Though it was crowded, it brought a nice sense of unity amongst the gathering as faces from all ages and races came out to support Mad Decent. Security itself was efficient and laid-back as several cops circled the area outside the block party in case any trouble was started outside the dancefloor.
As the crowd grew and the opening acts played out their material to kids more interested in the free squirt guns and other assorted swag to be found on the block the energy evolved from an assortment of people looking for something to do on a Saturday toward the feel of a real block party throwdown. The dancing and gyrating moves exhibited from patron to patron came to a fever pitch some time between Sinden and Dillon Francis who both provided rave worthy sets. The vibe was momentarily halted when Bosco Delrey took to the stage, not for lack of trying or chops, but in the sense of Four Tet showing up between Simian Mobile Disco and Justice, an awkward fit indeed. After playing through a few songs and wishing the crowd well Skerrit Bwoy of Major Lazer took to the stage emphatically asking for an encore from Mr. Delrey, which was denied on the grounds of timing and logic.
The real act to look out for in retrospect of the days events would be none other than Death Grips, the hardest rap shit to hit your consciousness in quite some time. This trio, which includes drumming virtuoso Zach Hill, blew the doors off of the crowd’s expectations, quickly riling the former happy-go-lucky dancers into a raging mass of arms and legs. Many of the more skittish attendees ran for the merch booths as quick as they could, sensing danger afoot. Those who stuck around were treated to a menacing feat of human endurance and lung capacity as the freakishly skinny/muscled frontman stomped and snarled his way through a slew of tracks off of the recent Ex Military mixtape with stirring drum interludes to bridge the tracks, assuring there was never a dull moment in the entire act.
(Editors Note: Spencer from Trash Talk was at Death Grips. I told him they played a sick show with Fucked Up at the El Rey, he asked me to help him crowd surf. Nice guy -Zach)
Much of the crowd reassembled for headlining act Major Lazer, the brainchild of none other than Diplo himself. Once they arrived onstage, a fiery beat and stomp took the crowd into the reggae infused dance paradise Major Lazer lives inside of. His performance was one that got many of the wallflowers hopping up and down screaming his name. Dropping everything from electro bangers to hip hop, Major Lazer threw down viciously, placing Mad Decent as the go-to electronic label for trendy urban party-goers. Altogether, the Mad Decent Block Party was a stirring success and provided everyone with a good, wallet-friendly time.
- Ryan Outcault & Zameer Hassim
