When you think about rap battles, you’re likely to think of the major platforms such as URL, RBE, and KOTD. These leagues have racked up millions of YouTube views by farming talent, building storylines, and coordinating matchups at the perfect times of battlers’ careers. At the time this review was published, Hitman Holla vs. Tay Roc was at 3.2 million views, Dizaster vs. Dumfoundead was at 2.7 million views, and Cassidy vs. Arsonal was at 2.8 million views. But you know what battle has more Youtube views than all of them? Ketchup vs. Mustard on Illmac’s Rap Off Battles. As of today, that battle (voiced by Dizaster [Ketchup], Lush One [Baking Soda], and Illmac [Mustard]) has racked up 3.3 million views. Yes, I’m talking about the cartoon: across all platforms, it’s racked up 30+ million views. I know it’s not the 40-minute battle we’re used to, but that’s still a lot of eyeballs and they’re onto something here.
Since 2018, Illmac and the team have gone onto produce several cartoons including Dog vs. Cat (voiced by Hollow Da Don [Dog], Lush One [Pigeon], and Carter Deems [Cat]) and the Mustard Freestyle (voiced by Method Man). As objectives for growth became clear, it was understood that money would be needed to achieve the vision. Cartoons and animation are not cheap. Conversations ensued with major TV networks and production studios. A deal was almost signed with a big studio but creative differences and ultimately the COVID19 pandemic shut down these traditional avenues of funding and production. Around this time, the NFT and Web3 space took off as alternative forms of funding, and Rap Off decided to move forward with the community/membership based funding to preserve the integrity of the product. You might roll your eyes when you hear me mention NFTs in this context due to the pump-and-dump scams we’ve all heard about: companies generate loads of interest, crowd fund loads of money, and are incapable of producing value after the fact. That’s why these guys are doing it differently. They’re putting the value out first: making cartoons, throwing events, and showing the scene that they’re here for the long haul.
The event itself was a real family affair. It reminded me a lot of the Ruin Your Show event in LA that I covered for Hunnypot back in 2020. You can read up on that event HERE. This wasn’t the biggest event, but there were a lot of familiar faces, a bartender, a BBQ man, and merch tables for the artists and fans to interact. One thing that separated this event from other battle events is they included additional entertainment that was not limited to battles. Before the battles began, Chase Moore and Fredo took the stage under their moniker, Water Buffalos, to start off the event. After their performance we hopped right into the three battles on the card: Lu Cipher vs. Thesaurus, Frak vs. Danny Myers, and Bigg K vs. Jey The Nitewing. I have clear winners in the first two, and I think Bigg K vs. Jey The Nitewing was a toss-up. Following the battles, Illmac took the stage and broke down the history of Rap Off and chronicled the series of events that led to today (which I attempted to summarize earlier in this review). We paused a few times to watch the aforementioned cartoons and the debut of their newest, NFT-adjacent cartoon, Bored Ape vs. Cryptopunk. After the cartoon watch party and Illmac’s speech, the Seattle/San Francisco rap duo Blimes and Gab took the stage for a generous set to shut the venue down.
This was a great event. I’m excited to see where the Rap Off crew takes this, combining rap battles and cartoons in both the metaverse and in real life. Shout out to the Rap Off team – Illmac, Rhyme Combinator, Butterhoops, Frak, and Pass. Kudos to the Ruin Your Day team for handling the filming/stream and DJ Smokey Martinez and Lush One for holding it down. Rumor in the metaverse is another real-life Rap Off event might be coming to a city near you this summer. Keep your eyes peeled.
Hunnypot Live #459 was more serious than a big baby twitter shareholder.
Brian J. Miller hit the hot tub with his music supervision success story with the NFL and a wave of synth playlist.
It was a night of the return of the living dead ass sick live performances.
Indica lit up the stage again with his brand of hip-hop pop futurism.
Mystical Joyride took us back to higher consciousness beats for body moves.
J. Character and guests hit back with party rap and roll.
Hot Tub Johnnie filled in with new and classic sounds on the decks and everyone danced themselves dirty.
Brian J. Miller is a LA-based music supervisor with a piece of his heart in his native New York. Currently at the NFL Network, his resume boasts storied outlets such as Channel 1 News, Current TV and MTV. A lifelong pianist, during the pandemic, he took up electric bass, and he counts Bob Babbitt, Norwood Fisher and Este Haim among influences. He dreams of bringing back the wedding band, and is seeking co-conspirators.
In addition to music, he loves being a dad, puzzling for sport, hitting the Peloton and crushing breakfast tacos (in that order). Follow his weekly playlists on Spotify @oldschoolbrian.
In 2016 Indica debuted his single 'She So Crazy' on The FADER gaining underground recognition. Soon after he released his debut self titled project, Indica. Singles 'Kumbaya' and 'Ahead/ Level Up' display his relaxed, melodic flow patterns that are not limited to one genre, as he can cross into Latin Reggaeton flows effortlessly for example, his single 'Jugamos'.
Experimenting with sonics Indica released a second project RETROMODERN in 2019, a 1980's themed album produced by Andrew Luce; Inspired by Daft Punk and Tame Impala. Indica is currently independent.
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Mystical Joyride is the cosmic duo and genre-fluid Psychedelic World Pop band hailing from Los Angeles. This married couple Leah and Joel fly their musical spaceship in between the ratchet and the spiritual.
Their live sets are an energetic and immersive experience of meditation and straight up shaking that ass with electronics and live instrumentation as well guest vocalist, Bengali sensation, Arzeen Kamal. Get ready to dance and let your soul play as Mystical Joyride delivers a unique and unforgettable experience.
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Jordan Character a/k/a J. Character a global jet-setter, has traveled from the USA to Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Seoul Korea, Chengdu and other Asian cities. Mashing up all of his cultural and diverse relationships and experiences which comes through his music, Character has created his own lane as a Bilingual Artist, while majoring in International Studies/Chinese at Norwich Military Academy and graduating Magna Cum Laude with an excellence in Chinese language proficiency
At the age of 3 months, Jordan Character’s ears were being developed as he accompanied his mother, a singer, who carried him alongside her to band rehearsals, theater productions and creative writing classes. Character by the age of 8, was reading treble and bass clef together, while playing upright bass and trumpet.
Born in the colorful City of New Orleans, LA, Character was accustomed to seeing Marching Bands, hearing Gospel, Jazz, Hip-Hop and seeing Second-line Bands, which passed in front of his home before Hurricane Katrina whisked his family away to.
His songs, “Part To (Butter Up), Insides, and Charlie Sheen" are inspired through his travels as he seldom resides in Los Angeles, CA, a place he finds full of inspiration. Inspired by Travis Scott, Kendrick Lamar, Tupac, Biggie Smalls, LL Cool J and A$AP Rock, J. Character represents the new age Rapper and Songwriter bringing forth the Culture of New Orleans and a history of musicians who are home grown from the South.
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Indica may be strain specific in name but our boy’s sound gives the duality of a hybrid time and time again. Always looking to explore new dimensions of his range, Indica’s single "Running Thru Spacetime" earns the label of one hot and contested genre. Mumble rap has been accused of many things, but who could deny its effectiveness in conveying a can’t be bothered attitude so many other genres took too long to spit out. Sure, one could enunciate, but these rappers are, as the song says, Running Thru Spacetime, not space and time.
In his latest single Indica commits to this en vogue realm, while the "Running Thru Spacetime" music video hearkens to a 'Retromodern' aesthetic that Indica has crooned over before. (See single of the same name). Donning a reptilian space mask at the start of the video, Indica embodies the shifty energy of the song. Geared up, he departs on his voyage. The road through the ether is long, where true length is beyond measure. Here, we can imagine the space in question to be Los Angeles and the time somewhere congealed between 1981 and now. Whirring visuals cut between filtered BTS shots, graphics of a DeLorean flying through time/space and Indica vibing in a casual black and white ensemble. He occasionally xeroxes himself into a fan of Indicas.
The well placed, retro effects elevate the production and continue the thematic nostalgia that Indica imprints in his work. While "Running Thru Spacetime" gives a more present sound, it feels comfortable to say that with its packaging we've all gone back to the 80s. Leftover with the lethargy of any good Indica.
-Robyn Dee
After hearing positive “buzz” from friends and enjoying her recent interview with Eddie Trunk on the Sirius XM Radio show Trunk Nation, I made sure to catch rising rock goddess Dorothy perform at Music Box in San Diego. I knew Dorothy (full name Dorothy Martin) could sing, but what truly touched me was her inspiring story and message. Although she struggled with addiction, abusive relationships, and other lowlights, she had the resilience to channel that pain and anguish into music that was inspiring and positive. On Trunk Nation, Dorothy was very honest about her past, “I don’t mind telling my story because, I feel like if don’t, I miss out on the opportunity to inspire people or help someone who might be struggling”.
Signed with Jay-Z label Roc Nation and recognized by Rolling Stone Magazine in their list of 50 Best New Artists of 2014, Dorothy has enjoyed increased success and growing popularity over the course of two full-length albums and a few EPs. A few select standouts tracks include “Wicked Ones” from her 2015 debut studio album Rockisdead and the uplifting “Flawless” from her second album 28 Days in the Valley. Now Dorothy is about to unveil her third full-length album, Gifts from the Holy Ghost, to be released April 22nd. The first single “Rest in Peace” is incredible – a moody, dark, intense, heavy anthem celebrating newly found freedom from an evil force.
You can't hang your chains on me
When your six feet deep
This heart ain't yours to bleed
Now that yours no longer beats
Hallelujah, I'm over you yeah
I buried you, oh Lord, you're dead to me
The powerfully emotional lyrics seem to suggest an unremorseful celebration of an evil person’s death. But understanding Dorothy’s story, I’m thinking this song is an inspired self-reflection about defeating past personal demons. Truly brilliant tune both musically and lyrically. Apparently, I’m not the only one impressed as “Rest in Peace” made the Top 20 at Active Rock Radio charts in March and scored four million streams worldwide according to Blabbermouth.net.
Music Box was impressively packed with mostly young music fans excited to witness Dorothy kick off her Gifts from the Holy Ghost tour. The band erupted into a frenzied funky heavy instrumental guitar shred jam for several minutes to send a clear message - Dorothy was coming to rock your asses off! With a beaming smile, Dorothy emerged and got the show rocking with the catchy swamp stomping “Down to the Bottom”. Dorothy’s live voice was such a treat, wow! It was so refreshing to hear a female vocalist sing so powerfully and effortlessly over the top of loud hard rocking music.
Dorothy seemed to have as much fun on her tour’s opening night as the fans. With her long black hair flying wildly, Dorothy sang beautifully and danced gracefully all over the stage, joyfully laughing and interacting with bandmates and fans alike. She truly delivered an entertaining rock show. Now we eagerly await the release of her new album April 22nd!
I must also mention one of the opening acts, the hard blues rockers Joyous Wolf. These guys have all the key elements in place to be bigtime successful. Signed to Roadrunner Records, the band out of Orange County, CA band has enjoyed some radio love with a great cover of “Mississippi Queen” and the single “Mother Rebel” (from their 2019 EP - A Place in Time). The quartet’s debut album should be out soon, but for now check out the first single “Fearless”. Joyous Wolf’s ferociously entertaining and enthusiastic live performance genuinely won the fans over. Charismatic lead singer Nick Reese was an epic showman possessed by a rock ‘n roll demon. The night’s highlight was Nick signaling the crowd to form a small gap down the middle of the floor, where he proceeded to jump off stage and execute somersaults, splits, and dance his way up and down the gap as the band jammed. A modern rock version of Moses parting the Red Sea! Now that’s rock ‘n roll.
Rock on and be well! Greg Vitalich
Lil Skies and Landon Cube linked up again. This is a duo that never disappoints. When I first heard their collaborations on Red Roses and Nowadays circa 2018, I thought it was blasphemy that the two would go on to focus on their own solo careers independent of each other. The tandem together is the perfect blend of 2020s soulful rap melodies and vibey storytelling lyrics. Their newest collaboration proved no different.
Whether its gun violence or drug overdoses, hip hop has a serious mortality problem. Lil Skies and Landon Cube’s newest song/video, Play This At My Funeral (stylized: PlayThisAtMyFuneral), is an ode to those hip hop has lost far too young. Skies and Cube are found donned in black singing/rapping in a church, a morgue, riding in a hearse, and ultimately the graveyard. The video also follows a couple of mysterious women who I presume are widows as they exit the church, pick the petals off a rose, and ultimately throw them into a grave.
The camerawork on the video is A1. It includes smooth transitions, wide angles of beautiful gothic architecture/stained glass, FPV drone footage, and tells a grim story through it all. The team behind this one didn’t disappoint. Check it out for yourself!
Edgard Nathaniel Sarratt III, better known as his stage name Midwxst, is an emerging young rapper. The South Carolina born, Indiana raised rapper has gained popularity in the last couple years through Soundcloud and has become the face of hyperpop music (a new genre born from integrating different styles of music, pulling influences from rap, emo lo-fi trap, dubstep and trance music, creating a lane of its own). Within many young artists rising in this new style of music, Midwxst stands out with his unique style. You cannot talk about hyperpop without mentioning the rapper himself.
After a huge successful year with a fire mixtape, SUMMER03, and an EP, BACK IN ACTION, he is back with a heater EP, Better Luck Next Time. The joint features 9 short tracks with one feature by Brakence on the track “Okay”. The EP has a very personal touch to it. The interlude “Better Luck Next Time” starts with Midwxst expressing his feelings about heartbreak, self worth and life. His ability to switch form smooth melodies to bursts of energy is remarkably impressive. Not only is he gifted in his vocal abilities Midwxst also is an amazing producer. You can really feel the mix of sounds throughout the project, ranging from soft guitar strumming to noisy bleeding bass drops. The second track “Riddle” is a perfect example of the tempo changes. The song starts with an upbeat tempo with soft vocals and suddenly drops into a slightly of a punk style for a bit and then back to the upbeat rhythm. It took me by surprise! It was my first time experiencing such sudden but yet seamless changes in style in one song.
Some other tracks that stood out to me are “I Know You Hate Me”, “Switching Sides”, “Misery” and “On My Mind”. With incredible confidence in his voice and music style, the Juice WRLD and XXXTENTACION inspired rapper is ready to put his heart & soul into his music. Midwxst wants to make music that is an extension of him and not influenced by other. This EP screams of that and puts him in a category of his own. With this project he takes a step closer towards his dreams and mark my words not long before he’s in the mainstream. Keep an eye out to see him blow up in the next year or two. If you’ve never listened to hyperpop music I’d suggest you start with this EP, it won’t disappoint you.
Judas Priest exploded back into action on their re-scheduled 50 Heavy Metal Years Tour Tuesday Night at the Shrine in Los Angeles. Opening for Judas on Tuesday night were none other than Seattle based prog-rockers, Queensryche.
Just months after guitarist Richie Faulkner’s health alert forced them off the road last September right before the previous LA show at the Nokia Arena. Faulkner suffered an aortic aneurism while on stage at the Louder than Life Festival. In an epic display of Metal, he continued to play and finished playing “Painkiller” and the rest of the set before being rushed to the hospital. Faulkner had an emergency surgery, and was soon on the road to recovery.
In the meantime Metal God Rob Halford had an odd epiphany that he thought Judas Priest should go back on the road as a 4-Piece band in honor of the bands early days. Guitarist Andy Sneap was unceremoniously out and they were heading out as a 4-piece. Luckily for fans the insanity only lasted days, and Sneap was brought back in and all was forgotten. The twin guitar sound of Judas Priest has become so integral to the live show that it’s impossible to imagine seeing them just as a 4 piece. Sneap and Faulkner with both on fire with their dueling flying V’s commanding the stage.
The 20-song set perfectly encompassed the tone of the night which was to celebrate the legacy that is Judas Priest. The Pitchfork cross, Halford Riding his Harley onto the stage and even the encore featuring Glenn Tipton for the final 3 Songs all struck the right tone of nostalgia mixed with the raw power of Halford’s searing voice. Make no mistake, he still has the pipes and the rage of the band rocked the stage for hours. For those who have waited for over a year since the concert was announced the throngs were head banging in the aisles by the time “Living after Midnight” brought the house down.
Halford and the gang are far from done. If Faulkner’s brush with death has done anything, it’s instilled a burst of passion in the band to create more higher octane Metal. The new more progressive album looks to hit the world sometime in 2023 but for now fans have to be thrilled to have Judas Priest back at full throttle on stage to continue their tour.
Full Set List
One Shot at Glory
Lightning Strike
You've Got Another Thing Comin'
Freewheel Burning
Turbo Lover
Hell Patrol
The Sentinel
A Touch of Evil
Rocka Rolla
Victim of Changes
Desert Plains
Blood Red Skies
Diamonds & Rust
Painkiller
Encore:
The Hellion
Electric Eye
Hell Bent for Leather
Metal Gods - (with Glenn Tipton)
Breaking the Law - (with Glenn Tipton)
Living After Midnight - (with Glenn Tipton)
I had been itching for a show and when I saw this one got confirmed, I was super hype. I have been listening to Chelsea Cutler since 2018 around when she first got going and I have not heard a song I didn’t vibe to. This show was sure to be a banger and I couldn’t wait to show up to the box office and pick up my ticket. Chelsea Cutler was joined by Adam Melchor and ROSIE at the House of Blues in Dallas, Texas Thursday night and we were all in for a great time.
Starting out the show was New York native, ROSIE. Bringing her pureness to the stage was quite the presence. Praised for showing everyone her 100% true self, she has garnered a massive following around her music and the lyrics she sings. It was communicated so well in her performance. She has such a soft and gentle voice that really hits you deep. She gave the crowd everything they wanted in her set. I really enjoyed all her songs given I had not listened prior to the show. She brought her talent and I’m sure gained some new listeners that night. All around beautiful performance.
Next up was Adam Melchor – another act I hadn’t listened to prior to the night but I can tell why Chelsea would bring him on tour with her. Him and his band have such a vibey sound. I really connected with them and the music they were playing. I found myself moving back and forth while snapping some shots of them. You could also tell they were having the best time on stage too. I feel like that gives so much to a performance when you can tell the people playing are into their own tunes as well. I will be adding them to my playlists. Very enjoyable and memorable performance.
And now the moment everyone had been waiting for, Chelsea Cutler. The stage set up was sick with this box LED structure and a platform for the band. Made for some great lighting. I hadn’t realized how packed the venue got until I hit the balcony after the set, but it was a packed house at that point. She walked out on stage and the roar from the crowd was insane! She started the set out with “Under” and then it began. Chelsea Cutler is one of those artists whose voice instantly captivates you. Hearing it live was a whole other experience. She played all of my favorite songs and more including “Cold Showers”, “Walking Away”, “Stay Next To Me”, and “the Reason”. All of these were such an awesome experience to hear live. I already can’t wait to see here again.
If you can, catch her on this tour. You will not regret it!
Included in The FMs' double single release is a spirited cover of Ultravox’s ‘77 classic “My Sex” out now. The song hits homes home for the duo, it explores the versatile nature of "sex/gender," something that wasn't mainstream at that time when it came out in ’77. Deciding to go in a less traditional route in terms of covering this song, each verse is tailored to our own personal connections with the original lyrics. "My Sex," directed by Matt Mahurin, is a vibrant burst of colors, painting a surreal dance party. It displays the different forms of love that mirror the lyrics and meaning of the song.
-Morgan DeShields McClure
Slash with Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue.
It might be easier to say, “I saw Slash at the YouTube Theater on February 18th.”
You could kind of shorten it to, “I saw Slash with Myles Kennedy.”
But that would be a disservice to the band. Because make no mistake about this, Slash with Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators is a real band, not just Slash and some backup guys playing some tunes. After 10 plus years and four albums, they have their on-stage sound down.
Sure, that sound is built around the unmistakable tone that Slash pulls out of his Les Paul and a few others axes during the show. (Slash on the Flying V! Slash on the double-neck!) Vocally, Myles Kennedy is almost the perfect compliment to Slash’s playing. (There is that other guy in that other band.) Being with Slash shows a slightly different side to Myles compared to his work in Alter Bridge. He has a confident, strong voice that breaks through and takes on a bluesier feel when he works with Slash. He also is a multi-talented musician as he proved with his work on the triangle to open “Whatever Gets You By.” Myles isn’t afraid to show his feelings either. The touching new song, “Fill My World” is written about his dog, Mozart.
But Myles isn’t the only one singing on stage. Bassist Todd Kerns not only provides backup vocals and harmony, but also took the lead on a cover of Lenny Kravitz’s “Always On the Run” and “Dr. Alibi,” a Slash track that originally featured Lemmy from Motorhead. The band’s drumming engine is Brent Fitz and on rhythm guitar is Frank Sidoris. Slash likes to work with a second guitarist and Sidoris can hold his own next to a hall-of-famer.
This is a powerhouse of a band and really, there aren’t many of their kind still around. So we can the thank the gods of rock that a guitar god like Slash has an itchy vibrato finger, makes new music and brings it to the people. And although his name fronts the band, Slash didn’t say a lot during the show. He obviously prefers to let his music do the talking. The one time he did come to the mic to address the audience was to introduce his version of the Elton John classic, “Rocketman” which really became another chance for Myles Kennedy to show just how amazing and effortless his range is.
The YouTube Theater is a totally modern venue, connected to the home of this year’s Super Bowl, SoFi Stadium. So if you’ve seen Slash and the guys in a smaller, funkier, grittier, dirtier setting, the upscale, almost bougie feel might have thrown you for a moment. But halfway through the opener, "Driving Rain", from their last album, the band showed that they owned that extra large stage. Although there were moments during certain solos that Slash was so far away from the band he seemed to be in his own little corner of the universe. A Slashverse unto himself. One more step and it was exit, Stage Left. But then when the solo ended, he would head back and join Myles and the others.
There weren’t any big surprises or guest stars like certain past shows when Duff McKagan might join them onstage for a song or two. So maybe that was a surprise in and of itself, no GN’R songs, no Velvet Revolver songs. But the audience was on their feet the entire show, singing along. They knew the lyrics. They knew the catalog. They loved this band for who they are now. Not for what they represented from the past. Or songs they hoped to hear.
Setlist:
Driving Rain
My Antidote
Shots Fired
Serve You Right
Back From Cali
Bad Rain
The River Is Rising
Whatever Gets You By
Always on the Run (Lenny Kravitz cover) (Todd Kerns on Vocals)
No More Heroes
Speed Parade (Slash’s Snakepit cover)
Actions Speak Louder Than Words
Fill My World
The One You Loved Is Gone
Call off the Dogs
Doctor Alibi (Slash song) (Todd Kerns on Vocals)
Rocket Man (I Think It’s Going to Be a Long, Long Time) (Elton John cover)
Nothing to Say
You’re a Lie
World on Fire (Extended)
Encore:
Anastasia
A note about the set list: There were five songs from the new album, 4. The first single, “The River is Rising”, as well as, “Whatever Gets You By”, “Actions Speak Louder Than Words”, “Fill My World”, and “Call Off The Dogs.”
So that meant they literally played half the album. That’s because 4 rocks. And apparently, they are also playing “C’est La Vie” while on tour. So that makes six songs they are confident enough to play on the road. And those are at least six great reasons to listen to Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators 4.
It was the first SMKTC album with all five members recording as a group instead of parts being pieced together. It could also be the first album where the band completely sounds like a band track to track. Maybe because it was executed in more of an old-school way by producer Dave Cobb and I think Slash made the right decision in gathering the band on a bus and heading to Nashville to get it done. Even if they faced unexpected COVID issues along the way.