On Dec. 10, the eighth installment of Flag On The Moon (FOTM)—the brainchild of Richmond hip-hop legend Radio B—returned to The Broadberry. The intergenerational hip-hop showcase invites the city’s best MCs to grace the stage.
“Some have said Flag has that Super Bowl feel,” Radio B said in our interview.
The night began with NameBrand’s The Producer Lounge, which featured a trio of gifted producers in Skinnyy Hendrixx, illMaestro and soulfuloops. From there, Blaine Cooz, champion of the RVA Rap Elite SoundClash competition, was the first MC to grab the mic.
Among the artists to follow were: Bravo, Dyfferant, Young Flexico, Cane, TROY, Gritty City, T.R.I.G., Noah-O & Big No, as well as the three MCs of AGM (Association of Great Minds), Michael Millions, Radio B and Nickelus F.
“I got to perform with a bunch of people I could have only dreamed about performing with,” said Dyfferant, the sole woman on the bill. It was her first time attending and performing at FOTM.
The artists brought out all of the stops—electric performances, cinematic interludes and strong surprise verses from guest MCs. Namely, exotic dancer East Jupiter gracefully swiveled around a pole alongside TROY during his performance.
Radio B was thoroughly impressed with the creativity in the performances.
“The folks on the bill were creating spectacles and moments in their sets,” he said. “I think this [FOTM] ranks very high. From the bottom of the bill up, I think this one probably takes it.”
The FOTM founder delivered an enthralling performance himself—backed by violinists, a guitarist and drummer.
There were several memorable moments from the evening, but the one that rose to the top is when Nickelus F’s children and Michael Millions’ daughter joined the AGM MCs on stage.
“This is what we do it for,” Nickelus F said with a smile, outstretching his arm with pride.
FOTM is always a few days before Radio B’s birthday on Dec. 12. This week he celebrated his 42nd birthday.
Although he rarely drinks alcohol, it was only right he celebrated the closing minutes of FOTM with a bottle of champagne in-hand on stage. In Richmond hip-hop, FOTM is the consummate conclusion to the year.
“We just really just have fun,” Radio B said. “I’m a big proponent of champagne for celebration.”
Photos by Christian Carter-Ross
Top photo of Michael Millions by Christian Carter-Ross
