UPDATE February 2nd, 2026: Mad Skillz has won a Grammy for Best Spoken Word Album. You can read about that HERE. In honor of that win here is our interview with him back in December. ------------- "A life lived through music, is a life well lived." - Mad Skillz Mad...
Richmond is feeling like a garage this week. It’s young and clean tuff but not mean. Lean in to it, let loose, get hip, don’t be obtuse. Got a show coming up? New single? Simply want someone to talk music? I am your guy at Griffin@rvamag.com. The Camel | Tuesday, October 1st 2024 Mexican Slum Rats, Winona Forever, Israel’s Arcade...
The Martin Agency, known for its award-winning advertising campaigns, has put Richmond on the global map. Now, it’s giving back with the launch of its highly anticipated live music series, The Mix at Martin, which kicked off with an intimate, powerful performance from Richmond’s own Nickelus F. You can read our recent interview with him...
A few months back, Chandler and Friends lit up Richmond Music Hall, with photographer Aspen DeRosa snapping the party. We’ve been sitting on the photos, but now seems like the right moment to let them loose—especially since Chandler’s hitting The Camel this Saturday night. If you've been wondering what one of his gigs feels like, look no further....
This was an overwhelming week of Sound Check as there is just so much amazing music in Richmond this week. Picking which shows to cover was like picking which hand to eat soup with. The weather is beautiful, shows are plentiful, life is good and I want to get out there. Got a show coming up? New single? Simply want someone to talk music? I am...
Three-time Grammy-winning rapper and activist Michael Santiago Render, better known as Killer Mike, will be a featured panelist in an upcoming discussion on the future of free expression, hosted by the University of Richmond. Co-moderated by UR liberal arts professor Erik Nielson, Mad Skillz and journalist Bonnie Newman Davis, the panel will...
For those keeping tabs on the statewide music scene, this might not come as news, but it's worth noting: Over the summer, two artists from Woodbridge, Virginia—Shaboozey and Tommy Richman—made serious waves on the national stage, both landing spots on the Billboard "Hot 100" chart. It's relevant to Richmond, as both artists have ties to our city,...
Hello reader! I recently caught up with Chris Sclafani, a familiar face in Richmond's music scene, to chat about his new stage name, Javi Aguilera, and his latest musical project. Chris is known for his saxophone skills and involvement in various local bands, but he’s now stepping into the spotlight as a solo artist....
On Sunday, Ant the Symbol's Vintage Youth presented RVA Pop-Out at RVA Boombox. Hosted by Noah-O and headlined by Richmond rap legend, Michael Millions (who is releasing new material with DJ Harrison this fall), the show featured the best of the best from Richmond's rap and hip-hop scene, including performances by T.R.I.G, Troy, Johnny Ciggs, CJ...
Marx coined the concept of historical materialism, the idea that class struggle moves history. I am providing my own, the youth move history. If it were not for an innate audacity to change and push the norm, to delve into a new and dangerous territory, we would still be banging rocks and sticks in a cave. I am sure the first cavekid to grunt on...
