New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival is upon us, drawing thousands of artists and fans alike to historic music city. However, two NOLA residents — namely rap-cabaret pioneer Boyfriend and members of The Revivalists including frontman David Shaw — teamed up last weekend on April 26 at One Eyed Jack’s for a very special cover of Fatboy Slim’s classic ’90s party anthem “Praise You.”
Boyfriend is an unusual artist, combining hip-hop with burlesque dance and unabashed on-stage antics (for example, the day prior to her late-night performance with Shaw, she shaved her armpits on the Gentilly stage for her set during Jazz Fest proper). Born Suzannah Powell, the daughter of award-winning country songwriter and producer Monty Powell, each performance she offers is jubilant, high-octane and more frequently than not, a little unusual. With a band donned in hair curlers and silky robes, during Friday night’s showcase, this theme held true to form, with Boyfriend working through classics out of the rap and pop catalogs as well originals of her own.
Shaw, who helms the New Orleans-born rock act The Revivalists, joined Powell for the end of her show at One Eyed Jack’s with other members of his band in tow. Keeping in the spirit of the night by wearing his own curlers, trenchcoat and boxer-briefs, the singer performed the iconic hook of the Grammy-nominated Fatboy Slim single, while Boyfriend rapped the verses. Watch the performance for yourself below, courtesy of feralsoul:
