This week’s edition of YO! HIP HOP RVA features Richmond hip-hop legend Radio B and rising star T.R.I.G. with former’s record serving as a showcase of lyrical prowess, and the latter delivering a raw, beautifully produced album. Additionally, in recent weeks, UrFavGrannie has popped up on our social media feed and we felt her story was worth talking about.
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RADIO B – “Rise of Richmond Rap” (single)
“Rise of Richmond Rap” was another appetizing record by Richmond legend Radio B before the main course, Flag On The Moon. It’s his tradition to release songs before the consummate hip-hop showcase he founded to build anticipation for the event. The accompanying video for “Rise of Richmond Rap” dropped earlier this month breathing new life into the song which originally debuted in January 2020. Virtually all of Richmond hip-hop is showcased in the visual as Radio B’s razor-sharp lyrics—paired with Fan Ran’s stale face-inducing production—journeys us through Richmond hip-hop’s ascension to national prominence. Give Radio B a follow on Instagram.
Video credits: Directed by BCMusic1st
T.R.I.G. – Arthur Ashe Blvd (album)
Richmond’s hip-hop community has crowned Arthur Ashe Blvd album of the year; I second that notion. You can feel the soul, you can feel the pride, you can feel the pain, you can feel the love. T.R.I.G is a cathartic vessel of what it means to be human and it shows up in his singular, dynamic voice. Similar to how I initially felt about Chance the Rapper’s nasally voice, T.R.I.G’s intonation takes some getting used to. But, when you’re backed by a supporting cast of musical Avengers in The SpreadLove Club, (composed of gifted vocalists Cousin Frank, Sir Rome, Gabrielle Riche’ and Kaay Taurus), super producer Ant the Symbol and several of Richmond hip-hop luminaries, your ears quickly get adjusted to T.R.I.G’s stanzas. I love the intention of this album both sonically and conceptually — you can tell T.R.I.G studies the greats. He even harkens back to sorely missed liner notes in his Instagram post when the album debuted. I say all this to say press play on this album, and you’ll thank me later. Give T.R.I.G a follow on Instagram.
My favorite tracks:
- “The Feel (feat. Michael Millions and Radio B)”
- “Arthur Ashe Blvd”
Urfavgrannie
UrFavGrannie, a 58-year-old woman MC from Henrico, has amassed a social media following that eclipses all of Richmond hip-hop combined. She rose to prominence with her lip synching videos on TikTok, but her followers wanted more, according to her interview with local podcaster Randy Wilson. They challenged her to create music of her own and she obliged. “Makin It Out The Hood,” which debuted in October of this year, was the catalyst that ballooned her following. But, rest assured, she is no fluke—she knows how to write. Her flow is reminiscent of MCs from the ‘80s—which isn’t everyone’s cup of tea—but she keeps it real about the stories of her rough upbringing. If I’m being honest, at first glance, I wanted to judge the book by its cover, but the pages proved its authenticity. Give UrFavGrannie a follow.
Video Credit: Shot by @A – Film by X The Cameraman – Produced by @DJGRINGO101 – Beats by @DJGRINGO101
Top photo courtesy of Urfavgrannie
