
G. Love & Special Sauce recently visited Rams Head on Stage for a night of music and fun with opener Ron Artis II, who opened and joined G. Love on several songs, and a special appearance by Kelly Bell.
Steve Satzberg was there to photograph the show.
The following article is adapted from press materials.
On Jan. 30, G. Love performed some faves from his catalog as well as quite a few cover tunes. Ron Artis II sat in on a few numbers, including G. Love’s “Rainbow.”
Watch G. Love perform “Rainbow” live for Sugarshack Sessions on YouTube:
Baltimore’s Kelly Bell joined G. Love & Special Sauce on percussion. He also sang lead on a cover of “Before You Accuse Me” by Bo Diddley.
G. Love & Special Sauce is an American Hip-Hop Blues band known for its unique fusion of hip-hop, blues, funk, and soul. Formed in 1993 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the band originally featured Garrett Dutton, aka G. Love, as the lead vocalist and guitarist, Jeffrey Clemens on drums, and Jim Prescott on bass. The trio quickly gained attention for their laid-back, groovy style and G. Love’s unique vocal delivery, blending rap-like spoken word with bluesy singing.
Their debut self-titled album, G. Love & Special Sauce, was released in 1994 on Epic Records and included the hit single “Cold Beverage,” which became popular on alternative radio stations and MTV, solidifying their presence in the music scene. The band’s style has been described as a mix of “slacker blues” and “alternative hip-hop,” as they frequently incorporate elements of 90s hip-hop beats with classic blues rhythms.
Over the years, G. Love & Special Sauce has released numerous albums, including Coast to Coast Motel (1995), Yeah, It’s That Easy (1997), The Electric Mile (2001) and the GRAMMY nominated The Juice (2020). Their sound evolved to include more soul, R&B, and rock influences, though they retained their laid-back vibe and clever lyrical play. Their 2014 album Sugar saw a reunion of the original lineup after several years, and they continued to tour and produce music with a loyal fan base.
Ron Artis II is a singer-songwriter and guitarist from Oahu, Hawaii, known for his blend of blues, soul, rock, funk, and gospel stylings. Artis II is coming off the release of his latest album, We Are Not Machines, in August.
Watch the official music video for “We Are Not Machines” by Ron Artis II featuring Grant High School Choir and Fowler Middle School Choir on YouTube:
Here are some photos of G. Love & Special Sauce performing at Rams Head on Stage on Jan. 30, 2025. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Steve Satzberg.
Here are some photos of Ron Artist II opening G. Love at Rams Head on Stage on Jan. 30, 2025. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Steve Satzberg.