If I could only pick one of the Jurassic 5 MCs to see live in a solo show, Chali 2Na would be it. The lanky rapper with the silky smooth baritone voice was responsible for some of the most creative and popular verses on Jurassic 5’s biggest tracks. Since J5 called it a day, 2Na has carved out a solid career as a solo MC with a reputation for delivering fun-loving rhymes housed in hip-hop, reggae, ska and even dub-step productions.

It was a small crowd early on at Capitol, with local artist Fdel on the decks for the early birds. Fdel got the party hip-hop vibe going early, with the familiar sounds of A Tribe Called Quest, Black Sheep and Pharcyde reverberating around the venue. This reviewer’s need for beers meant he missed seeing local MC Slackjaw perform, but another local hero, MC Optamus from Downsyde fame, later got a growing crowd in the mood for the main act with a typically energetic performance.

Shortly after 10pm, Chali 2Na appeared onstage with instrumental support on keys, bass and drums, and got straight down to business with a couple of tracks off his Fish Market albums. But it wasn’t until the big man dropped Comin’ Thru, the DJ Nu-Mark produced joint off his debut solo album Fish Outta Water that the crowd really exploded. With his supporting musicians exhibiting their virtuosity and, in the case of the bass player, garnering some crowd support by donning a vintage Fremantle Dockers beanie, Chali 2Na built on the energy in the room. Then he upped the anti – inviting Hilltop Hoods rapper MC Suffa onto stage to showcase a new Hoods track, which features 2Na himself and was recorded in Perth on the day of the show.

After Suffa’s much-loved cameo, 2Na showcased his eclectic musical tastes, dabbling in reggae, heavy rock and ska before launching into a medley of Jurassic 5 tunes. The response to Freedom proved there were plenty of J5 fans in the crowd, but the biggest reactions were to Quality Control (which featured a very fun Jackson 5 interlude) and What’s Golden, which was undoubtedly the track of the night.

After the undeniable chaos of the J5 medley, Chali 2Na took things down a notch or two, with Graff Time, an ode to 2Na’s graffiti-inspired beginnings in hip-hop as well as his continuing love with painting, and Righteous Way, a soul-infused autobiographical rap which 2Na dedicated to the legendary Curtis Mayfield.

Rounding out the 90 minute set were instrumental jams featuring the talents of 2Na’s House of Vibe band. The bass solo, in particular, generated a positive crowd response, as the bassist teased the crowd with licks from the likes of A Tribe Called Quest, The Sugarhill Gang, Stevie Wonder and even INXS.

If there were to be one gripe about 2Na’s fun-filled and energetic set, it would have to be structuring of the set. I’d have placed the instrumental solos in the middle of the set, rather than at the end – but otherwise, it was a near-faultless set from one of the world’s most talented and lovable MCs. Now, if some crafty promoter can somehow talk all of the J5 members into doing a worldwide reunion tour …