Following the disbanding of LA-based rap group Shoreline Mafia, all eyes have been on the former members anticipating their next moves. While building on the style he helped pioneer with Shoreline Mafia, co-founder Fenix Flexin has been maneuvering through the music industry and carving out a lane of his own as a solo artist. He has solidified his presence as a force to be reckoned with after dropping Fenix Flexin Vol 1, feeding the streets with more skateboarding, more lean, more money, and more trappin’, all on his own terms. Lately, he’s been on the road teasing the release of Fenix Flexin Vol. 2.  Recently, he made a stop close to home in Orange County, CA for a one-off show, assisted by Mike Sherm and local treasure Young Drummer Boy. Let’s jump into a few of the highlights of the night.

Up first to warm up the crowd was Young Drummer Boy. The Pomona-native was tasked with batting leadoff in front of a sold-out show at The Observatory, and the capacity crowd eagerly consumed what he was dealing. The hype around opening sets at rap shows typically fizzles out because the crowd isn’t normally familiar with the act’s complete catalog. This time around, the crowd stuck with Young Drummer Boy till the end. Up next was Mike Sherm. The venue erupted as the “AssHole” rapper made his way to the stage. Within a few seconds, the venue went from a laid back put-a-blunt-in-the-air-and-chill rap show to a full-blown hip-hop party. Mike Sherm criss-crossed the ledge of the stage and even climbed on top of the speakers to get closer to the fans. I know a few of the security guys at The Observatory and I could see them working double-time to control the crowds as they swarmed around Mike Sherm. When Sherm wrapped up his set, he left the venue yearning for more.

After a short intermission, Fenix Flexin burst onto the stage. While Sherm really worked the crowd, this energy was unmatched. He performed his solo bangers like “What’s The Move”, “Risky”, and “Dead Homies” and even blessed us with verses off Shoreline Mafia classics like “Bands”. Speaking of Shoreline Mafia, Fenix brought out a very special guest: the one and only Master Kato. In addition to other special guest performers, Fenix was joined by an entourage and a half on stage. Rather than hit us with fog machines, light shows, and other distractions, Fenix Flexin performed the entirety of the show in his element: a family affair surrounded by his friends, smoking and drinking, in what felt like a throwback to an underground show or a house party.

A lot has happened and has changed over the past few years for Fenix Flexin, but he continues to thrive through it all. Many artists would just hang it up if they had to go through what he did, but from Shoreline Mafia’s ashes, this Fenix rose. Stay tuned for Fenix Flexin Vol. 2 and peep his next show the next time he’s in or around your city.