Every year around this time, Richmond slips a little. It starts small and you catch it out of the corner of your eye. Someone in armor pumping gas. A Jedi standing at the crosswalk on Broad, waiting for the light like everyone else. A guy in full wizard robes standing...
It's officially the holiday season, and that means holiday music and concerts and everything that comes along with that. Now you, like me, might be tired of the worn out holiday classics; the same tired tunes that have been blaring out through the radio in every December for the last 100 years. So, if you need an infusion of new in your holiday...
Despite its modest size, Richmond is home to a bevy of gifted MCs. Unfortunately, there are only a handful of venues around the city capable and willing to have them grace their stages. This not only frustrates MCs but also hip-hop lovers like Brandon White. So, he did something about it. “I was seeing that there is no real space for hip-hop...
This week's edition of YO! HIP HOP RVA rolls out an eclectic tapestry of sounds, featuring a trio of powerful woman MCs and a dash of masculine energy to spice up the mix. Zuri brings the classic boom-bap back to life, infusing her tracks with a storytelling prowess that's as sharp as it is insightful, painting vivid pictures of Richmond's...
Well it's officially the holiday season, and there's no avoiding it now. Some artists are fully embracing the season, while others are choosing to chug along and continue releasing their music and playing their tracks live like it's any other time of the year. Honestly, a mix of the two is probably the way; for those weary of the holiday music,...
I’m half-way through my voice message when an Atlanta area code calls me back. John-Allison Weiss is pulled over on the side of the road on their way to Brooklyn when they call me back. I do something I genuinely don’t do often and open with, “do I have permission to fangirl for a moment?” Weiss laughs gently and humors me. I’ve been following...
With the release of their new demo tape DEMO '23, Vigil are popping off, so CJ Payne sat down with the band to figure out what they're all about. You can find links to their music here, and follow them on Instagram here. CJ PAYNE: I want to start by asking you, how did you form the band? How did that all come together? MICHAEL: I met Mark online...
This week’s edition of YO! HIP HOP RVA features not just one, but two woman MCs. A.Chardae and Rap-Unzel deliver memorable verses on records that couldn’t sound more different from one another (in a good way of course). While Skuzii delivers a fun, “oontz oontz” earworm. We've got it all for you on this week's Yo! Hip Hop RVA. Are you an artist...
Thanksgiving's approaching, and if you're looking to step away from the pressures of being at home with the extended family to listen to some high octane music, we can help you out. This week on SOUND CHECK we've got North Carolinian Caitlin Krisko coming up to Richmond Music Hall this weekend to show off her unique vocal talents, Holy Roller...
Local hotshots VV just went on an extensive tour and have released some new music, so CJ Payne thought it was time to sit back down with the band and pick their brains about the state of the RVA music scene, how it has changed, and how they have adapted. CJ PAYNE: So we interviewed [ VV ] back in 2018 and a lot has changed in that time. Until...
