The Clout Cloud Takes Poor Boys

by | Feb 10, 2020 | MUSIC

With their recent event at Poor Boys, RVA hip hop collective The Clout Cloud graduated from house parties to club gigs in high-energy style.

Richmond’s very own music and culture news collective, The Clout Cloud, hosted its first ever sold-out show at a local restaurant and bar, Poor Boys, on Tuesday, February 4. As this was their first time transitioning to working within a venue as opposed to holding events at houses, they didn’t have a hard time packing out the space. Focusing on RVA hip-hop artists in particular, the line-up featured performances by 1kZay (@official1kzay), PaidDro (@_paiddro_), Alix Phoenix (@alixphoenix), Milesisbae (@milesisbae), James Moss Jr. (@james_mossjr), and Okay Cozy (@okay.cozy), with DJ sets from Logan Egdvet (@logan_nonofficial). The evening was hosted by Almira Zaky and Nicole Bloomgarden.

Photo by Aviance Hawkes

The energy from both supporters and performers was high throughout the evening. Performances ranged from live-instrument sets to up-tempo beats and rhymes; everyone had their own unique style, all while being perfectly intertwined with the assorted music from the DJ in between. The crowd stayed consistently engaged and involved with each other and for those who they came to see.

Originally founded two years ago by Ilias Anwar, The Clout Cloud started off as a hip-hop outlet, soon gaining a following. “We started reaching out to big artists — like Future, Meek Mill, Megan Thee Stallion, Rick Ross, Moneybagg Yo — to do concert coverage by creating one minute highlights of their concerts,” said Anwar. “Three months ago, DaBaby and Lil Baby cancelled a concert on us, so I took into my own hands to throw our own show.” This became the start of something significant for the team.

The Clout Cloud’s current team consists of at least 30 people, including DJs, videographers, photographers, and hosts. They seem to have a lot of buzz around the city, with a following of 37K on Instagram. While operating a Hip-Hop news outlet and culture blog, they stay consistent with local projects as well.

Photo by Rashid Mahdi

To stay up to date and get more information about The Clout Cloud follow their YouTube channel and Instagram at @thecloutcloud. You can also check out their podcast, “Cloud Talk” @thecloudtalkpodcast, to hear about exclusive and specific topics.

Top Photo by Rashid Mahdi (@sheedodaplug)

Music Sponsored By Graduate Richmond

Aviance Hawkes

Aviance Hawkes

Aviance Hawkes is a former Mass Communications student at VCU. Aviance is an eclectic, positive, colorful being that also works at the Institute of Contemporary Art at VCU, Urban Outfitters, and Ink Magazine. Along with that, she DJs, produces, and create in all aspects whether it’s clothes or crafting. I collect and love graffiti, art, and a variety miscellaneous things.




more in music

Fourth of July 2026 in Richmond: Fireworks, Festivals, and More

The best Fourth of July celebration in Richmond probably isn't the one with the biggest fireworks. It's the one where someone forgot the hot dog buns, the cooler is running low on ice, kids are chasing each other through sprinklers, and somebody insists they know a...

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...