Kings of Cardboard City

Beats roll out like red carpet behind the obscured sound throne of DJ Krazy Glue. With one hand to his left headphone and a glance up, he spins and readies himself for the lyrical majesties of Cardboard City.

The lights are dimming now.

photo / Veronica Hansen 

A darkened Emo’s lounge welcomed the little but significant piece of New York hip hop to reign the anxious audience of about 200 people on the night of Friday, February 2. Definitive Jux Records and Cardboard City Records sponsored the tour, deemed “I Hate It! 2007.” The tour included up-and-coming big-namers like Slow Suicide Stimulus and Yak Ballz.

Krazy Glue, sometimes referring to himself as Jesus Glue, DJs for the Cardboard City record label, which was founded by Glassjaw and Head Automatica frontman Daryl Palumbo.

Glue cues a sound clip that fades the words “good morning.”

It is a wake-up call. The anxiety intensifies and the crowd pushes for a view of the tour’s headliner and one of contemporary hip hop’s most clever wordplayers: Cage Kennylz.

Eyes search and Kennylz mounts the stage, unexpressive and cool, wearing his subject matter as if it were visible. Lights flash as he begins, “Good morning.”

The coma induced from Kennylz’ lyrics is of emotional contemplation. Songs like “Too Heavy for Cherubs” represent intense childhood reflections of his father’s heroin addiction.

He adds to the lyrical content with scenario settings and drops to the floor as he imitates his father’s voice, “Now wrap this around my arm just like before. All right, let go Chris, let go.”

Kennylz, a pseudonym for Chris Palko, dealt with his father’s addiction until age eight. The pressure from the addiction and a military discharge led Kennylz’ father to eventually lose self-control. He held Kennylz and his mother at gunpoint and was soon arrested.

A childhood of abuse ensued from his mother’s frequent relationships. He later began his own drug addiction.

photo / Veronica Hansen 

Kennylz was sentenced to a psychiatric hospital for mental evaluation during his teen years for two weeks. Two weeks turned into almost two years in which the side effects from drugs like Prozac caused him even greater grief.

His solace and power to overcome was then found in the words he utters now, lying on the floor and stirring up the stagnant emotion that has already escaped the lounge.

He urges the crowd to chant “Austin; New York. New York; Austin.” They end up somewhere in between.

Glue smiles with respect and lets go of his headphones. Kennylz’ face is still unexpressive, but he has proved himself otherwise.

The audience jumps at the start of his final song, the classic “Agent Orange.”

At the finish Austin, Texas is thanked for its hospitality. He exits in darkness. The entire crew, including Cage, Yak Ballz, Krazy Glue, and Suicide Stimulus stick around afterward.

They do not act like the kings of Cardboard City, even though Glue rolls up the red carpet of beats, smiles once again with respect.