LAUNCH VIBES STRONG
SO maybe I'm partial, as it was my event and all, but for real, VIBES WERE SO LIVE at the Industry Underground Launch Party!
From the jump, The Kid Ben Carbo held it down - hyping the line, inciting effortless smiles, bantering with our buff, but friendly bouncer while DJ Francisco J and the crew put the finishing touches on light and sound. Upon entry, party-goers were greeted with neon projections of Harmony Korine's Springbreakers, over pastel tinted walls, with tropical trinkets, and custom, hip-hop-inspired fortune cookies decorating the tables.
Down the hall, bass pumped as energy rose, guests filling the dance floor with anticipation.
Around 10:30, the live acts kicked off with a performance by Pollo Squad, wherein Slick Skywalker and Temmy Bridges got the crowd "flexin' and sexin'" right off the bat. Fellow squad member Patstarr, aka "The Chef," also debuted "Indecisive," the first single from an upcoming solo project, ripe with soul-filled vocals and r&b swagger.
The crowd grew as Vapor Trails' Nuri Hazzard and Boss Carrot set the fucking roof (and blunts) on fire, offering electrifying performances with lyrical incitfullness, butter-smooth flow, and contagious energy rarely seen in rap and hip-hop today.
After taking a brief reprieve from the live show circuit, Crown Heights based rapper, iLLA made a killer comeback to the scene, and an instant fan of me. He kept the party lit, with quick-witted lyrics and bouncy hooks, reppin' white-boy rap and the hood like a champion.
Just after midnight, Chris Celiz, Amit, and Mark Martin, three supremely talented members of the internationally-renowned Beat Box House, closed out the live acts, leaving everything on the floor. The crowd was mesmerized as the three vocal wizards crafted an incredible and organic set, featuring unique covers of nostalgic tracks like The Eurythmics' "Sweet Dreams," as well as original beats and melodies ,all effortlessly created and executed by mouth.
For the next two and a half hours, the party raged on with cheap, strong bevs and indescribable aura. A perfect amalgamation of crowds - cool from every borough - gathered in one place to let loose and cut a fuckin' rug. Dance incentives stayed strong thanks to an endless stream of bangerz facilitated by LES local and street art superhero Smurfo Udirty, and the ever-fresh DJ Rok 1.
As the lights finally went up around four, spirits stayed high. Not bad for a first go, if I do say so myself.
Long Live the Underground.
