The receptionist has supplied a replacement key without him having to show ID or be strip-searched. Experience has told him that young black men seldom have it so easy.įive minutes later, Larceny is back upon the sixth floor, whistling again. He decides to confess to the receptionist and hope his plea is met with sympathetic ears. Practical action is called for, although what Larceny has to do next doesn’t appeal to him. You get the impression he might be trying to summon up his lost key through some telekinetic power, or even that he imagines the door will suddenly spring open. He laughs at my dilemma for a few moments and then proceeds to walk backwards and forwards in front of his door, whistling as he does so. I’m the only other person in the corridor and I can’t get into my room either, due to a jammed electronic pass. Meanwhile, on the sixth floor, Larceny, one of the Junior MAFIA crew, is pacing the corridor. His brief appearance has lifted the vibe and reminded everybody that something is indeed going on in Holland this weekend. With barely a pause, he departs the waiting throng and makes his way to the lifts with three of his entourage carrying bags behind him. He has a megawatt beam across his face and, as he raises his arms above his head, his outsized jacket pulls out like a pair of extravagant wings. And what happens is a man in dark shades and free-spirited plaits cruises through the swing doors and stands observing the activities before him.Ĭoolio, the Californian who brought gangsta living to the masses, has arrived. He spoke to Coolio once just before Gangsta’s Paradise blew up, and it was enough for the girls with him to believe he carries some weight in these circles.Įverybody here is waiting for something to happen. Sitting on one of the sofas, a local radio DJ has brought three females with him. Outside, 15 or so less persuasive fans surround the entrance. Dotted around the sofas are about 20 fans who have managed to convince the hotel personnel that they’re with the crew. A couple of days later, I’m in the foyer of the Hilton Hotel in Rotterdam, where various members of Junior MAFIA are acquainting themselves with promoters, tour managers, publicists, marketing guys and security men.