Last year, Dogwood Dell was packed out for RVA Pro Wrestling. They threw down in front of more than 3,000 people. Since then, they've just been on a heater with sold out shows at Hardywood, pop ups that bring in bigger and bigger crowds, and quietly a small wrestling...
Lately, I’ve been in a serious rap mood, and with that, I’m continuing my quest to dive deeper into the local scene. If you’ve got any tips, send them my way. Got a show coming up? New single? Simply want someone to talk music? I am your guy at griffin@rvamag.com. Basic City Beer Co. Thursday, February 13th, 2025 Tennishu, Eras, Crenshaw,...
The close of the year. Maybe this week your old buddies from high school will be back in town, maybe your coolest cousin is visiting for the holidays, whatever it is, go make some memories together. To quote the Specials, “Enjoy yourself, it’s later than you think.” Got a show coming up? New single? Simply want someone to talk music? I am your...
So, I had the pleasure of sitting down for a conversation with HERNBEAN 5150 and DUCTTAPE JESUS before a fire cypher session. If you're unfamiliar, they are both up-and-coming artists hailing from this city we all know and love, Richmond, VA. Upon returning home, everyone kept mentioning their names, raving day in and day out. So I had to...
Next year marks 20 years of the magazine, a milestone that’s inspired us to reflect on the stories that, in hindsight, were not only significant for us but also played a role in shaping the diverse scenes and cultural pockets of Downtown Richmond. Many of these stories have never been shared online or were lost during our transitions between...
There are certain films that aren’t just watched but absorbed, metabolized into the DNA of an entire culture. For hip-hop, Belly is one of those films. The late '90s street saga, directed by the legendary Hype Williams, wasn’t Hollywood— Hollywood didn’t know what to do with it. This was a film made for people who understood it, who...
In a David-and-Goliath battle unfolding over Richmond’s Charged Up Entertainment, this local institution, led by hip-hop artist and entrepreneur Noah Oddo, has been locked in a long-running battle to defend its logo from the Cleveland Guardians baseball team—a story we’ve followed since 2022. Photo courtesy of Charged Up The dispute centers on...
Richmond’s hip-hop scene has long been fueled by underground grit and undeniable talent, but few have represented the city on the national stage quite like Mad Skillz. And now, after a career that spans nearly three decades, he’s experiencing a well-deserved moment in the spotlight, bringing a Grammy nomination home to RVA. The Recording Academy...
In today’s episode of “Is This News?” A private birthday party in Richmond’s Carver District unexpectedly blew up on social media earlier this month. Ava’s 21st birthday, which seemed like just another low-key celebration, turned into a local headline when Richmond’s own rapper Nettspend showed up, joined by rising star Milesisbae—who we’ve had...
We've been tracking Mutant Academy's rise from the very beginning here at RVA Magazine, and today marks a significant milestone in Richmond’s music scene as the local hip-hop collective drops their long-anticipated debut album, Keep Holly Alive. And it’s a defining moment for a true "if you know, you know" group that has spent over a decade...
