Mc Merci 291 Showcase, Hackney Empire Friday 3rd March. MC Merci, one of London Towns finest lyricists, performed at the legendary 291 Club at the Hackney Empire. Appearing in the Talent Quest section of the show Merci performed her original composition 'Days To Months' over the Delroy Murray Band re-creating DJ LG's lazy beats. Her appearance was impressive, reminding me how long it is since I saw a British rapper on a stage bigger than a beer mat, although it was always going to be an uphill task to capture the more singingy inclined audience. Merci's appearance at the 291 showcased her hardhitting lyrics such as 'Daddys not home, not how some planned it, lost on this island, stranded'. The audience responded positively, showing a lot of love but perhaps not all fully understanding the essence and freshness of her sentiments. She may not have won on the night but she's already winning by representing UK Hip Hop for real, ie getting up there and spitting 'real'istic female life experience lyrics reflecting the 50% of the population thats usually relegated to murmered ooooh yeahs over fuck dat bitch lyrics. The 291 Club is legendary for it's stepping stone position within the UK music scene, hopefully we'll be seeing Merci performing at more jams in 2001. MC Merci is known on the London circuit for her freestyle skills, most recently expressed in Battle Scars where she reached the 3rd Round. - LadyCook | profile © ukhh.com 1999 - 2001