HIP HOP & RAP




more in music

IllumiNATION Tells America’s Story on a Monumental Scale

Editor’s Note: RVA Magazine is partnering with the Virginia Museum of History & Culture on coverage related to America’s 250th anniversary, including Richmond SailFest and IllumiNation. It's hard to impress people with just a building. Yet standing in front of the...

Blöthar: “GWAR Didn’t Change. The World Freakin Changed.”

Richmond metal band GWAR says the Secret Service contacted the group following a recent performance at the Vans Warped Tour in Washington, D.C., that featured the mock execution of a Donald Trump effigy. Video of the performance, which showed band members...

Kelli Strawbridge Re-Releases Kings And Returns To The Camel

Ten years ago, Richmond drummer, bandleader, and all-around musical utility player Kelli Strawbridge released Kings, a collaborative soul and funk record built alongside producer and keyboardist DJ Harrison of Butcher Brown. The album arrived at a moment when...

The Last Ride of The Golden Pony

Every good music scene has a few rooms that become bigger than themselves. They rarely make headlines while they're open, but their importance becomes obvious when they disappear. For Harrisonburg, The Golden Pony was one of those places. After eleven years of hosting...

Stay Hungry pt. 1 | Band on the Road

Editor's Note: Writer's Block is a space for Virginia writers to share personal essays, fiction, memoir, and works that fall somewhere in between. In Stay Hungry, Richmond local Eric Kalata looks back on a cross-country tour and the restless optimism of...

RVA Live Music | WiFiGawd, Hot Mulligan, Heavy Friends & More

Starting the summer with some big shows. Kanawha Plaza is looking like the spot to be this season, but there is still plenty happening in the clubs around town this week. Lastly, Happy Pride! I'd love to feature as many LGBTQ+ artists as possible this month, so if...

Virginia Icon Pharrell Williams is Coming To Town

A musical based on Pharrell Williams' childhood is set to be filmed in Richmond. It's a coming-of-age story set in 1977 Virginia Beach, drawing from Williams' upbringing in the Atlantis Apartments. Williams will produce, and Michel Gondry, known for Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, will direct. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07-QBnEkgXU...

Read More

Pharrell Williams comes to Richmond to shoot musical_RVA Magazine 2024

Sleepwalkers’ Austin York Animates DJ Harrison’s ‘Galaxy’

Austin York, co-founding member of one of our favorite Richmond bands Sleepwalkers, has delved into the realm of animation by teaming up with the renowned DJ Harrison on the track "Galaxy" from Harrison's latest album, Shades of Yesterday. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxZYD64JVzw The collaboration didn't just happen by chance. Austin shares,...

Read More

Animation by Austin York for 'Galaxy' by DJ Harrison

It’s Back! And We’ve got Your Friday Cheers 2024 Lineup

It's that time of year again! The weather is warming up, the sun is setting after 7:00 PM, so that can only mean one thing: it's Spring. My favorite time of year when the weather is perfect, the trees are blooming, and hope and revival float through the air along with the pleasant aromas of sprouting flowers. Music lovers know what Spring means...

Read More

Friday Cheers 202 -Announcement by Andrew Bonieskie_RVA Magazine

‘Solar Music’ Shines Bright with Butcher Brown on NPR Tiny Desk

For those who've been following the mag coming out of the pandemic, it's no secret that we've got respect for Butcher Brown. This crew embodies much of what makes us love our city — authenticity coupled with a DIY spirit, and an unwavering love for Richmond, VA. A city known for birthing legends such as D'Angelo, Lonnie Liston Smith, Lamb of God,...

Read More

Butcher Brown Tiny Desk 2024_RVA Magazine

Tennishu, Booby Bash 3 & Prabir Trio: Sound Check

I'm so excited by what's happening in the city these days it's hard for me to pay attention to anything else. I've got more all local for you on this week's edition of SOUND CHECK. Friday Booby Bash 3 comes to Gallery 5 to raise money to benefit the queer community, then come Monday Tennishu hops into The Camel bringing along two very unlikely...

Read More

Tennishu by Dani Barbieri Sound Check RVA Mag 2024

Ant The Symbol, Chandler & Lucid Evolution: Sound Check

It's all local all the time this week, so get ready for an onslaught of local talent from all ends of the spectrum. With two options for how to spend your all too rare leap day, it's a packed week. Ant The Symbol and friends take on Richmond Music Hall, while just down the street Chandler Matkins celebrates his 7th birthday with a show at RVA...

Read More

Ant The Symbol RVA Mag 2024

From Richmond to the Grammys: DJ Harrison Is Reppin’

Kick back and check out the conversation with Devonne Harris aka DJ Harrison, a down-to-earth local with some serious skills. He started Jellowstone Records from his living room, signed to the legendary Stone’s Throw label, put out several great albums, solo and with Butcher Brown, got a Grammy nod along the way, collabed with Polo and is right...

Read More

DJ Harrison interview by R. Anthony Harris 2024

Deep in the Cut with Hip Hop Henry & Billy Crystal Fingers

In this laid-back interview, I caught up with Richmond party scene vets Hip Hop Henry and Billy Crystal Fingers about their weekly Wednesday night event, Acid's Groove at Get Tight Lounge. They discuss the origins of the name, their love for acid jazz and rare grooves, and for making the party happen whenever they team up.  ed. note: Before...

Read More

Hip Hop Henry_Billy Crystal Interview at Get Tight Lounge by R. Anthony Harris 2024-2