Nightlife sizzled in 2006
IT WAS another solid year for Clubland in 2006, with lots of talent making the trip to paradise -- and a few of our own local hip-hop artists starting to make some serious noise as well.
The fun started with the All-American Rejects, who made their first Honolulu appearance in January and returned for a second show in August. NextDoor proved early in the year that they would continue to be a force in Chinatown, hosting Miguel Migs and Blackalicious on consecutive nights in January, followed a few weeks later by Afrika Bambaataa. Other big names to visit Chris Kahunahana, Miguel Innis and the gang on Hotel Street included Doc Martin (twice!), Kaskade, Z-Trip and Jimmy Van M ...
THE EARLY part of 2006 also brought the Pro Bowl, complete with all the associated one-time parties that take place in conjunction with the NFL all-star game. Chamillionaire, E-40, Biz Markie, Petey Pablo and Kid Capri all flew out here to help celebrate.
February also saw The Roots play at Pipeline Cafe, as the club continued its reign as a top destination for the mainstream crowd. Alien Ant Farm, Slum Village, Talib Kweli, Erykah Badu, Method Man and Jurassic 5 all drew solid crowds, and Pipeline hosted the biggest event you weren't invited to in 2006 when Maxim Magazine packed the club for a VIP party in December ...
AS USUAL, last year also saw a number of changes to the nightclub landscape. The Maharaja Ultra Lounge was the first to disappear, with Deep Blue fading fast right behind it. The Wave Waikiki also closed in May after 25 years of late-night debauchery.
After months of construction delays, Pearl opened with much fanfare in September, followed by the Lotus Soundbar in November. It will also be interesting to see where the owners of Xyloh go with their new private club, which opened in December. And I wonder, will Coyote Nights ever rebound after it flopped back in May? ...
BUT WHAT I'm most excited about in 2007 is the uprising of local hip-hop talent here in Hawaii.
There appears to be a groundswell of support for homegrown artists, and the quality of material being released is getting better and better. Two names you need to know right now are Creed Chameleon and Krystilez, who both released new albums in 2006. Don't sleep on Hawaii hip-hop ...