Back in March, I gained exclusive backstage access to Sonar, Baltimore’s premier venue for live performances. At that time, I didn’t have this blog, but figured this was as good an opportunity as any to post exclusive photos I took at the show. That evening Rakim and 80’s legend Chubb Rock were passing through town for one night, and the place was packed wall to wall, mostly with older hip hop heads. But it was also reassuring to see younger ones as well who could appreciate two Golden Agers doing their thing.

The concert event was sponsored by Busy B Ent. If you recognize the name, then you’re in the know. Busy B was made famous (or infamous) during one of the first recorded rap battles ever. His opponent? None other than Kool Moe Dee. Busy B lost that night, but it became a jumping off point for all future battlers and is still talked about as a watershed event in the history of hip hop culture.

Our own artist Wordsmith was also on hand at Sonar and took the stage during Chubb’s set to hype up the crowd. If you didn’t already know from following Wordsmith, he recently finished up a collaboration album with Chubb Rock called “Bridging the Gap” and we expect it to be distributed through Koch sometime soon. In the meantime, his first solo album “Vintage Material” is scheduled for March 2010. So be on the lookout!

Afterwards, I visited Chubb and Wordsmith in the green room (yes, those rooms are literally green) and snapped a few photos and we all talked a little bit. Chubb needed to push off eventually (he had a show in Michigan the next day), so we parted ways, and I was off.  I also got a shot with him.

Interestingly enough I came across a Baltimore Orioles fitted hat about 6 months ago worn by a random passer by while out at the mall with my wife and kids. The hat was an all black hat with black embroidery of the O’s beloved oriole bird iconography but the silhouette had a thin white outline around it. I thought the hat design was done exceptionally well… So after I got home I did a little digging at the usual online boutiques I sift through from time to time and what I came up with was surprising. Unfortunately I couldn’t locate the hat that inspire me to write this post in time… However it seams us Baltimorians are not the only people prone to the heritage and legacy of our hometown Major League baseball team. Instead every possible color combination and reinterpretation of the O’s logo can be found. Obnoxious color combinations and all! Below is just a little gallery of some of the best & worst (mostly worst) variations I came across.

Enjoy!