Photos: Penny Hutchins
The late rapper Christopher Wallace was a man of many names and alter egos. He was most commonly known as The Notorious B.I.G., Biggie Smalls, or Big Poppa, but he also used a lesser-known alias: Frank White. This nickname was actually a nod to Christopher Walken’s character in the 1990 film The King of New York. In the movie, Walken portrays a drug kingpin who rises from rags to riches but ultimately attempts to go legitimate—a storyline that parallels Wallace’s own life.
The Notorious BIG was active as a recording artist from 1992 until his death in 1997. Despite the brevity of his career, his impact on the hip-hop genre was monumental. Wallace recorded over 80 songs in this short 5-year span, and his albums sold over 21 million copies in the United States. His debut album, Ready to Die, was ranked #1 on Rolling Stone’s Greatest Hip-Hop Albums of All Time list in 2022, proving that his music has endured and continues to resonate.
On Friday night, The Frank White Experience (FWE) celebrated Biggie’s legacy at Lark Hall in Albany, NY. The lineup featured drums, percussion, bass, guitar, keyboards, and a DJ. The band, mainly from Syracuse, NY, displayed their appreciation for Biggie by proudly wearing Notorious B.I.G. T-shirts.
While paying homage to the movement Wallace started, this group is far from a traditional tribute act. Their performance felt like more of a reimagining rather than a note-for-note recreation. They put much effort and care into adding their own spin and creative touches to the classic tracks. Having heard these songs countless times and knowing the lyrics by heart, I was struck by how the tight, uptempo musical arrangements gave them a fresh, revitalized feel. It felt familiar but surprising enough to keep us guessing and engaged for the show’s duration.
The group’s instrumentation did include a DJ, which added a lot – they had the best of both worlds. They could tastefully mix in iconic and essential samples while keeping the organic feel of a live band. They also transitioned between songs in a traditional hip-hop style. They did not stop after every song like a band would typically do. They smoothly and cleanly moved in and out of songs as a group without stopping, as a DJ would do. Between songs, they even teased snippets of other familiar tracks, including Eminem’s “Lose Yourself,” 50 Cent’s “In Da Club,” and the Austin Powers theme. The frontman was interacting with the crowd all night. Still, there were very few complete pauses, which kept the energy in the room building higher and higher.
The night kicked off with high-energy renditions of “Kick in the Door,” “Sky’s the Limit,” “Who Shot Ya,” and “Things Done Changed.”. Fans – many too young to have seen Biggie in person, seemed very grateful for the opportunity to hear his music in a live setting.
During “Gimme the Loot,” the percussionist moved to the drums, and the main drummer stepped into the spotlight to trade verses with the MC, creating one of the night’s standout moments. Other crowd favorites included “Big Poppa,” “Hypnotize,” “Party and Bullshit,” and, of course, “Juicy.” Many of the original songs are driven by heavy-funk bass samples, so hearing those classic riffs played live by a great bassist was a highlight overall. Specifically, the bass playing on Hypnotize and Big Poppa was really excellent. There were also a few burnin’ keyboard and guitar solos tastefully mixed in. Solos are not too common for live hip hop but were very appreciated by the crowd at Lark Hall – a venue that often features jam band acts.
The night’s common thread was keyboardist Deven Teklak, performing with both The Frank White Experience and The E-block, who opened the evening. A familiar presence on the Lark Hall stage, The E-Block once again delivered a set that blended tight, funk-driven rhythms with meticulously crafted songwriting.
Since emerging from Albany’s DIY college scene, the group has organically built a strong local following. Frontman Luke Pascarella engages with the audience in a way that feels less like a concert and more like a gathering of close friends. Even though the venues have gotten larger over the years, Luke continues to foster a vibe with the crowd that makes it feel intimate and special. They don’t just transition from song to song—they check in, interact, and embrace the moment, giving off a comfortable yet confident energy on stage that makes it clear they love every second of it.
What sets The E-Block apart is their ability to instantly switch gears. Dynamically, their songs often build gradually from pretty guitar chords into a full-band groove exclamation point. The band sounded tight, as always. They mixed in crowd favorites like Stay and Wake Up and even moved into a bossa nova-style jazz jam around the middle of their set.
Aaron(Drums) and Dan’s (Bass) rhythm section was thunderous and precise. Their blend of punk energy and finesse created a pulse that kept the crowd moving, seamlessly shifting from headbanging intensity to infectious grooves.
One track that always stands out is Sleep Walkin’. It’s very fun, expertly paced, and has a contagious bounce. The band cut out on a dime towards the middle of the song as Luke hit a high note that got the crowd to make some noise. The band built strong momentum on top of the driving chromatic bass line, and by the end, it felt like they were going to lift off.
Every member plays a vital role in shaping their sound, but Luke’s guitar work is particularly striking. With a Fender Strat in hand, he shows flashes of John Mayer-level finesse—blistering lead bursts that showcase skill without overshadowing the lyrical quality of his playing. Throughout their set, he showcased a variety of tonal shades, ranging from gritty and overdriven to Jerry-esque bubble funk. His right-hand attack technique shifted smoothly from the bridge pick-up on solo sections to the edge of the fretboard for delicate rhythm guitar parts. The blend of technical skill and songwriting talent makes him one of the most promising musical talents in the area.
Overall, The Frank White Experience gave a memorable performance that would have made Biggie proud. The E-Block reminded everyone why they’ve become pillars of the Capital Region music scene. Both groups kept the crowd engaged all night, and there was a lot of dancing and singing.
As FWE prepares for their first European tour this spring, fans can support their journey via their Indiegogo page, helping to share Biggie’s music—and their incredible live reinterpretations—with the world.
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