Notorious in the underground hip hop scene, heads everywhere know the name Prince Paul.
Familiar to Vancouverites, many residents know the name Balmoral–often associating it with a skuzzy and scary reputation. The newly renovated bar/pub/now live music venue is trying to shake its sticky standing and reclaim a once-upon-a-time livelihood.
Located near Main and Hastings, it is no doubt people are weary to venture to this spot, but a bad reputation and a trip to the darker side of Vancouver didn’t hold this adventurous soul back.
DJ/Producer Prince Paul laid down some timeless tracks, taking the audience on a nostalgic musical memory trip. Starting his set with classics from KRS-One, Souls of Mischief, Black Sheep, then throwing in some WuTang, Tribe, Beastie Boys and of course DeLaSoul (the incredibly talented group with albums produced by him), Prince Paul proves he is still royalty in hip hop music. The only thing that’s changed since his time of reign is the musical “instruments”, like the Serato, an elaborate computer DJ tool, quickly replacing the traditional medium of vinyl.
The history of Balmoral’s location goes back to1970 where Jazz and Disco first entered into Vancouver’s music scene. The Basin Street Jazz Bar, now the Balmoral, was the hip spot to check out live bands and indulge in coffee spiked with liqueur. Unfortunately, with years of neglect, amongst other factors, this area only holds one legend now–a tragic one.
With the Lamplighter closed and the Columbia in trouble from recent violence outbreaks, The Balmoral could be the next summon for drinks to be cheered, laughs to be shared, live music to appreciate, and legends, in an infinite sense, can come to life.
PICTURE CREDIT: Marnie Pitchford
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