Jurassic 5’s masterful turntables tightly twist hip-hop traditions

Their very name signifies old-school allegiance.

So does the lawnmower-sized turntable they bring with them on stage.

Even when they first began making a name for themselves, back in the mid-’90s, hip-hop purists Jurassic 5 felt like they had been around awhile.

With their multipart harmonies, tongue-spraining wordplay and master-level turntable skills, the group has always seemed like a bridge between hip-hop’s past and the present.

After taking a six-year hiatus beginning in 2007, Jurassic 5 returned to the road last year, performing at the inaugural Life Is Beautiful festival this past October, where their kinetic rhymes and sweaty showmanship were almost as impressive as DJ Cut Chemist’s sweet turntable guitar.

Contact reporter Jason Bracelin at jbracelin@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0476. Follow on Twitter @JasonBracelin.