Words & Flicks by Anthony Campusano      Edits by Lucas Alvarado Farrar

A thick crowd came out to the Highline Ballroom July 21 to show some love to Audio Dax, OCD, & White Panda. A couple stops in to the pandemonium tour, I got the opportunity to kick it and get some pictures of this show. It was a great crowd, good venue, and dope all around. Audio Dax, compromised of three musicians, started the night off with some energetic original music.

Up next was Moosh & Twist OCD. They grabbed the crowds’ energy and had the whole place rocking with their latest set. These are two young talents that are bound to take over and come to a city near you.

The headliners, White Panda, rocked out for a good hour and had everybody in the crowd poppin bottles and gettin twisted. It was a great show and the energy was overflowing – as always whenever White Panda is on tour.

To see more pictures by Anthony check out GRIME

Follow @str8nyc @LexAve, @amc4eva1 & @FarFetchdFuture

Words by Lucas Alvarado-Farrar

SOBs exploded Tuesday night with the arrival of LA’s finest, Dom Kennedy, in front of a packed house. The show, easily stamped as one of the sweatiest of the summer, had a line winding down the block all night. DJ Wallah of Hot 97 (who stepped in for Rosenberg) had the crowd bouncing, jumping and cooking throughout the warm up acts as the club began to simmer. After a few fogettable openers out came recent high school grad Casey Veggies to shouts and shrieks. He got the crowd more than ready for the headline, but I’ll let the pics do the rest of the talking…

 Married to the Mob model and DJ Jasmine Solano (above, bottom left) guided the crowd through the early moments of the night – just mad she didn’t spit. Veggies blessed the stage with his homie Josh and the two rocked the people side to side. The height of their energy came during 30,000. Casey & crew are currently filming a video for that same track and I was lucky enough to sit in on some of the planning the next night before they flew back to LA (Casey’s pops was in attendance!).

Dom came out to a sloppy entrance as DJ Drewbyrd experienced some technical difficulties on the 1s and 2s (whoops!), but got the crowd rocking in no time. While his show two nights early in Philly was one of the lazier performances I’ve seen, Tuesday’s set took a turn for the hype. Feeding off the energy throbbing in SOBs Dom led the crowd through tracks from 25th Hour to his debut album From the Westside with Love II (check below for a complete set list). At one point he had a girl bucking and weaving above the crowd on top of her man’s shoulders making the concert look like a rodeo (pictured above, bottom left).

Sidenote: Too many people with cameras mobbed the stage during different points in the night which was both distracting and disrespectful.

Shout out to Hot 97 and Blast by Colt 45 for sponsoring the show

Set List for Dom Kennedy

‘GRIND’N’
‘Dom’s Prayer’
‘1997’
‘Still me’
‘Play On’
‘Choose Up
‘Turn Me Out’
‘Bet You Want Me Now’
‘Designer Sh*t
‘CDC’
‘Notorious Dom’
‘Watermelon Sundae’
‘Showtime’
’Menace Beach’
‘Come Around’
‘O.P.M.’
‘Locals Only’
‘Leimert Park Song’

Follow: @LexAve – @FarFetchdFuture

Photography by Far Fetched Future

Words by Lucas Alvarado-Farrar

This past Saturday Kid Cudi continued his nationwide Cud Life Tour with a stop in Columbia, Maryland at the Merriweather Post Pavilion. Performing in front of a crowd of over 7,000 the Cudder killed yet another show that had his fans gleefully singing along and screaming for encore after encore as the outdoor venue shook with energy. Chip Tha Ripper, Rage Cage and DJ SYLO joined Cudi for a line up that was a mix of electro, rock and hip hop. STR8NYC was lucky enough to get an exclusive on the scene thanks to the DMV DJ, SYLO (Sort Your Life Out), who opened up the show. Check it out below:

SYLO rocked the from start to finish with a mixture of feel good, hip hop, funk and dubstep that had people grooving one second and bouncing the next. He finished it off with a plank as Kreayshawn blasted in the background – epic.

Chip came out next for a set that deaded the crowd. While the Cleveland rapper has bars and deserves respect for discovering Cudi in the first place, he got no love from the crowd. He needs more energy when he performs for fans that aren’t already familiar with his tracks.

Coming out to RevOfEv Cudi had the crowd bobbing to his unique brand of lone ranger hip hop. With a set list that spanned his entire discography from A Kid Named Cudi to Man on the Moon II, he gave the audience a taste of his evolution as an artist.

Set List for Kid Cudi

‘RevOfEv’
‘Scott Mescudi vs the World’
‘Soundtrack to My Life’
‘Ghost’
‘Mojo So Dope’
‘We Aite’
‘Marijuana’
‘Mr. Solo Dolo’
‘Up, Up and Away
‘Man on the Moon’
‘Maui Wowie’
‘Erase Me’
‘All Talk’
’Hyerr’
‘Maniac’
‘I Never Knew You’
‘Hey Joe’
‘All of the Lights’
‘Mr. Rager’
‘Muchomegamix’
‘Pursuit of Happiness’

Follow: @LexAve – @FarFetchdFuture – @DeeJaySYLO

Photography by Far Fetched Future

Words and Flicks by Sade Joseph

It was a female dominated night as Shyvonne, Jasmine Solano, Zoe Kravtiz and J Davey rocked the mic on Tuesday, June 21st at Prospect Heights’ underground music venue, Southpaw. Solano’s opening words herself commented on the evening’s all star line-up, in which she shot out the talented “fly Bohemian chic rap city bitches” that would be taking over the stage that night. Her words proved true as the talented urbanistas blew the audience away with their powerful rhymes, lyrics and DJ sets. Shyvonne, the lesser-known act still delivered as her sass, bright turquoise hair, and back up dancers kept the crowd on their feet. Solano was up next, stepping from behind the DJ booth to spit her old school hip-hop styled songs. The Brooklyn-based rapper is more commonly known for her DJ work at parties throughout NYC, and has gained a large following in the process. The crowd responded with resounding enthusiasm to Solano’s stage presence and performance, excited to see her take command of the stage.

Elevator Flight followed, whose wings were guided by the petite and vintage clad, Kravitz on vocals and tambourine. With her bottle of Jim Bean close at her feet, Kravtiz sang with deep emotion and rock soul. The set was lively as the band rocked out; dancing and jiving on stage, Kravtiz eventually kicking off her shoes and going barefoot, and guitarist Dominic Angelella jumping into the audience for a solo. This was the first time the band had played together in over a year, and the crowd couldn’t get enough of them. Father, Lenny Kravitz, proudly watched the performance from the back of the room in VIP, along with Drake, who has long been a fan and admirer of Zoe.

After much anticipation, and a treat from special guest Greg Nice, the headlining band J Davey finally graced the room, and it was their performance that shook the house. The duo, accompanied by Def Sound, worked it – with Jack Davey (Briana Cartwright) on vocals and Brook D’Leau providing the beats behind the DJ booth and on drums. Most memorable was the band’s rendition of Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” and it was their spirit and energy in Southpaw that evening that had everyone wanting more.

Follow @str8nyc and Lick The Bowl

For More Pictures Check Out the STR8NYC Page

Words Chike Ohayia Edits Lucas Alvarado Farrar

On June 17th Kendrick Lamar took South Paw by force headlining his first show in New York City and building hype for the release his first album, Section 80. He hit Brooklyn with his Black Hippie teammate Ab-Soul as part of his national tour, giving New York the honor of the hosting him on his 24th birthday.

DJ’d by Meka of 2DopeBoyz the show jumped off to a slow series of opening acts. With Jah C & The Antidote giving the crowd more of an afro punk, garage band mash up than a hip hop set, hype man Kid Potential was called into action to raise the energy. Pulling a goon named Marvin on to the stage for a wild rendition of Bump N Grind, Potential got the crowd back in it.

Meanwhile, Nitty Scott MC prepped backstage for what would prove to be the best opening act. The crowd showed familiarity with her that was not seen again until Kendrick came out. As one of the few females brave enough to grab the mic, Nitty Scott showed that she has more than good looks to show for her sets. Be sure to check out some of her tracks from her mixtape The Cassette Chronicles.

Sean Price made a guest appearance during Apollo the Great’s set, the last hype moment of the openers.

As soon as Kendrick came out to ‘The Heart pt. 2’, the opening track off his mixtape Overly Dedicated, the crowd erupted. Everyone was live, hands waving, cameras flashing and SouthPaw surged with energy. The stage burned at over 100 degrees as the summer heat mixed with the Brooklyn hype, but Kendrick stayed buried in his red Adidas hoodie through five tracks.

After getting the crowd to throw their Hiii Power fingers in the air, Kendrick took a break to do a little acting. He told stories about how his parents pushed him in school, threw the livest parties out of their home and exposed him to a great depth of music and culture.

Rapping less about drugs and gangs and more about the social realities of the New West, Kendrick is helping to define 21st century hip hop as greater than Youtube sensations. Songs like H.O.C., which he performed while Ab-Soul blew smoke in his face, show Kendrick’s will power in the face of pressure. His music constantly reinforces his self-confidence and thirst for growth, while reminding his listeners that dreams evolve. When crowd requested Cut You Off blasted from the stage that sentiment of progression rung out.

As the show closed, Kendrick played a few cuts off his new album. Rather than performing the tracks he mimed them as they played in the background. There was a good mix of hype songs and slow sensual tunes. Get ready for Section 80 to drop on July 2.

Follow @str8nyc @chike @FarFetchdFuture

Photography by Far Fetched Future

The show hits four cities, Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York and Boston.
For further information on tickets and show times, visit rockthebells.net

Last Tuesday night, ya girl VivaSkool trucked down to Brooklyn from the Upper Westside along with Far Fetched Future &  few of my friends to hit the Big KRIT x Freddie Gibbs x Smoke DZA show at South Paw in Park Slope. The place was packed – the line stretched to the corner.  Waiting outside I could hear Smoke DZA rocking the stage. Granted, I was upset at the prospect of missing DZA’s performance, but I would be far more heartbroken if I were to miss Freddie Gibbs and K.R.I.T.’s sets.

Both rappers are amazing and although their classic mixtapes and performances suggest that they are seasoned veterans in the game, they are both relative newcomers. Both rappers exhibit scholarly diction, complex rhyme patterns and flawless breath control; and you can hear the impact years of studying Southern Rap has influenced their styles. Not to mention last June Big K.R.I.T., who had only an ounce of buzz at the time, was booed off stage attempting to perform “Country Shit” at a Jay Electronica/Joell Ortiz show in Chelsea.

I had no doubt that tonight would be different and he’d be embraced by Brooklynites with the success of two classic mixtape and a buzz thats grown since he joined the Freshmen Class. When I got through the side door (S/O to the bro AL) the sold out show was packed from front to back, but I managed to make my way to the front of the stage as DZA was wrapping up.

Freddie Gibbs performed shirtless with the fervor of Tupac and a swag overflowing with Gangsta Sh*t. As a performer Gibbs is hard-as-rusty-nails, his deep baritone voice growling with hunger. When Gibbs performed his hit “The Ghetto,” Brooklyn went wild.

Gibbs is one of the realest artists I’ve ever had the opportunity to interview hands down. He spoke from the heart and with the wisdom of a veteran in the game. He took shots at the fake rappers in the industry, namely Lil B and his gimmicks for attention;  talked about his dedication to craft; and give his opinion on rap in the internet age (Check out the audio below). Expect new releases from Gibbs – now signed to CTE – to be raw and gritty like UGK or Goodie Mob.

Big K.R.I.T’s performance can be defined as poetry in motion smiling and grinning with appreciation for being well-receieved. From one song to the next, the Mississippi native would recite well-crafted poetic conversational interludes. He shared the stories behind the music, giving the crowd wisdom to take back home. It was spectacular.

As a performer K.R.I.T. is energetic, spastic, and the look in his eyes showed his passion and dedication for his craft. The the crowd was at his whim in sync with his rhythm. He performed ‘Country Shit’ again and the crowd roared in excitement. And I caught K.R.I.T. smiling  from cheek to cheek. He also did his songs ‘Children of the World,’ ‘Glass House,’ ‘Time Machine,’ ‘No Wheaties,’ ‘Moon and Stars,’ ‘Something’ and many more.

I caught up with K.R.I.T as he was hopping in his van to leave, and he stopped what he was doing to show me love and shouted out STR8NYC. When an artist takes time to make their fans feel important they deserve respect.

Freddie Gibbs Interview Pt. 1

Freddie Gibbs Interview Pt. 2

Peace x Love

Follow Me: @VivalasSKOOL

Photos: @FarFetchdFuture

For More Pictures Check Out Flickr

March 18 – Buffalo, NY – HSBC Arena
March 19 and 20 – Columbus, OH Baltimore, MD – Nationwide Arena First Mariner Arena
March 23 – Hampton, VA – Hampton Coliseum
March 24 – Cleveland, OH – Quicken Loans Arena
March 26 – Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center
March 27 – Long Island, NY – Nassau Coliseum
March 30 – University Park, PA – Bryce Jordan Center
April 1 – Chicago, IL – United Center
April 2 – Detroit, MI – The Palace of Auburn Hills
April 3 – Washington, D.C. – Verizon Center
April 6 – Miami, FL – Bank Atlantic Center
April 8 – Greensboro, NC – Greensboro Coliseum
April 9 – Atlanta, GA – Philips Arena
April 10 – St. Louis, MO – Scottrade Center
April 14 and 15 – New Orleans, LA Dallas, TX – New Orleans Arena American Airlines Arena
April 16 – Houston, TX – Toyota Center
April 19 – Phoenix, AZ – US Airways Arena
April 23 – Anaheim, CA – Honda Center
April 24 – Oakland, CA – Oracle Arena
April 26 – Sacramento, CA – ARCO Arena
April 28 – Edmonton, Canada – Rexall Place
April 29 – Vancouver, Canada – Rogers Arena

Peace. -@vivalaskool