Article Contributed by Jamie Huenefeld
Published on November 28, 2025
Cut Chemist + Chali 2na | Brooklyn Bowl | November 20, 2025 | photos by Jamie Huenefeld/Killahwave
On November 20, Chali 2na and Cut Chemist turned the glorious Brooklyn Bowl in Brooklyn, NY into a Jurassic 5–flavored block party, blending golden-era hip-hop, deep-crate DJ wizardry, and pure nostalgia for a room of energized fans. The duo have been friends for over thirty years, and their chemistry has only proliferated with time since their days as one-third of the hip-hop group Jurassic 5. The show included instrumental tracks performed by Cut Chemist solo, along with both musicians performing tracks from their previous bands, covers, and a new song that I am now obsessed with.
Cut Chemist | Brooklyn Bowl
An eclectic mix of fans from all walks of life showed up at the Brooklyn Bowl for this special event. It felt more like a neighborhood party than a throwback tour stop. Cut Chemist kicked off the music with a slate of instrumental tracks, where he went full mad scientist, slicing breaks and vocal samples into a mini history lesson of underground hip-hop. These days, he doesn’t travel with thousands of records like he used to, but he still had a turntable on hand for his signature scratching. He instead relied on Ableton Live for samples, which had the entire floor bouncing, from the rail to the bowling lanes. Those samples included homages to rappers from all five New York City boroughs, including Biggie Smalls from Brooklyn and the Wu-Tang Clan from Staten Island.
Chali 2na | Brooklyn Bowl
Chali 2na emerged from the upstairs green room about forty minutes into their two-hour set and joined Cut Chemist on stage with a huge smile. The tag-team dynamic commenced, with Chali 2na pacing in front of the stage, frequently locking eyes and grins with Cut Chemist. His unmistakable baritone voice and quick-delivery rapping style harmonized against the vibrant electronic landscape. He told stories and captivated a crowd that immediately threw their hands in the air upon his request.
Cut Chemist + Chali 2na | Brooklyn Bowl
The duo slipped into the Jurassic 5 pocket and played classics like “What’s Golden,” “Quality Control,” and “Concrete Schoolyard.” They also played their new tune, “Melt Like Plastic,” which featured a gritty, funk-infused beat under 2na’s delightful voice that leaned into lyrical weight and delivery. The warm bass lines, vinyl crackle, and subtle atmospheric touches gave this stellar tune a vintage feel without feeling outdated. The vibe hit like a bridge from past to present, and we can only hope they will release more new tunes.
Cut Chemist + Chali 2na | Brooklyn Bowl
Toward the end of the show, 2na once again got the crowd riled up, as Cut dropped into “Intergalactic Planetary” by the Beastie Boys, another famous hip-hop act from New York City. The fans were enamored as they rapped along with joy during this familiar remix.
Cut Chemist + Chali 2na | Brooklyn Bowl
Three decades in, the collaboration between Chali 2na and Cut Chemist is stronger than ever. At the Brooklyn Bowl, they didn’t just revisit Jurassic 5 memories, but rather demonstrated that old-school hip-hop still feels alive when the DJ and MC are equal partners in crime. The Empire State fans were very lucky to still be able to enjoy this timeless music, and we now wait for their triumphant return to the Big Apple.
Chali 2na | Brooklyn Bowl
The duo has four dates remaining on their current tour ledger, starting with The Alpine in Reno, NV on December 12. They next head to Denver, CO for back-to-back shows on December 13-14 at Ophelia’s Electric Soapbox. They will close out 2025 with a performance at the Lodge Room Highland Park in Los Angeles, CA on December 26. Keep tabs on both Cut and 2na’s tour pages for up-coming 2026 tour announcements.
Cut Chemist | Brooklyn Bowl
Check out more photos from the show!
Chali 2na | Brooklyn Bowl
Cut Chemist + Chali 2na | Brooklyn Bowl
Cut Chemist + Chali 2na | Brooklyn Bowl
Cut Chemist | Brooklyn Bowl
Cut Chemist + Chali 2na | Brooklyn Bowl
