Anchored by a retro DJ and his band of singing and dancing aliens and robots, Yo Gabba Gabba! is children's television that's teeming with both hipster cred and hip-hop props.
And now Yo Gabba Gabba! has come to life as Yo Gabba Gabba! Live: There's a Party In My CIty! The live show has has played to prestigious venues, including Coachella, along with a headlining performance at The White House.
On the popular Nick Jr. TV show, DJ Lance Rock and his fantastic friends lead music and dance based activities while teaching a variety of lessons.
One of the show's regular segments is a beatbox demonstration from rap legend Biz Markie. The Super Music Friends Show and Dancey Dance segments feature celebrity guests such as Erykah Badu, Jack Black, Devo, Flaming Lips, The Killers, MGMT, The Roots, The Shins, Sarah Silverman and Weezer.
Just as it is on screen, the live version of Yo Gabba Gabba! is an interactive experience that offers music, singing, dancing and animation in a state-of-the-art production.
Along for the ride is hip-hop pioneer Biz Markie and his "Biz's Beat of the Day" skit. There will also be featured guests onstage for Dancey Dance and The Super Music Friends Show. The live show kickoff was joined by Cold War Kids, DMC (of Run DMC), Snoop Dogg, Talib Kweli, Brooke Shields.
Originally Biz Markie was invited to be a one-time guest on the Dancey Dance segment. But when his back was hurting too much for him to dance, he came up with the "Biz Beat of the Day" idea on the spot. He's been a regular ever since.
"I love it. It's a whole bunch of positive energy for the kids," Markie said during a telephone interview. "The tour is incredible, just seeing smiles on the kids faces and bringing joy to the masses. It's different that entertaining adults because kids are more honest."
Markie said his nephews and nieces look at him as "a Barney or something, like superhero" but working with Yo Gabba Gabba! is a way for him to combat the negative imagery that dominates mainstream hip-hop.
"I think hip-hop is more corporate now than the art form that it was," Markie said. "The way I look at it, a lot of things in the videos are killing hip-hop. It could still be like it was but it needs to be brought back down to all forms. I think radio is segregated. It should be playing all types of hip-hop, old and new, but you're only getting new hip-hop."
Yo Gabba Gabba! Live: There's a Party In My City!, Friday at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the INB Performing Arts Center; Tickets: $45, $35, $20, through www.ticketswest.rdln.com, A dollar from every ticket sold benefit's Habitat for Humanity's local affiliate in each tour city. A version of this story appears in Friday's Spokesman-Review Newspaper.
