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VCU Homecoming Has Become An Annual Staple For Local Hip Hop and R&B

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Streaming music services have helped up-and-coming hip hop and R&B artists find an audience. And for the past few years, VCU’s Homecoming show has been a reliable gauge of which artists young music fans are most excited about.

If you aren’t a student, alumni, or fan of the team, VCU’s annual homecoming might seem like just another opportunity for a local college to boost school spirit. However, as those who’ve paid attention over the past few years are sure to have noticed, VCU’s annual homecoming show has become a reliable showcase for up-and-coming talent in the world of hip hop and R&B. This development tells us a lot about not only VCU’s ability to catch artists on their way to the top but, more importantly, the way streaming music has changed the fortunes for hip hop and R&B music as a whole.

The streaming revolution has made irrevocable changes to the world of music, and hip hop and R&B are the genres at the forefront. Last year, Nielsen officially declared hip hop the most popular genre in music, officially cementing the dominance of music that has been the bedrock of pop culture over the past few decades.

The boon in music streaming has made the music industry profitable again and reinvigorated the market for live music. Whereas in past years, booking agents were scouring the radio for notable acts, streaming allows agents and executives to go straight to an artist’s profile to see how many plays they’re garnering and in what areas. This enables artists who aren’t necessarily getting mainstream recognition yet to play shows all over the country without having notable industry experience.

This year’s VCU homecoming show was a clear indicator that the university has picked up on this trend, and continued a theme that can be seen across the past few years of VCU homecoming celebrations. In 2015, Partynextdoor and Rae Sremmurd graced the stage; in 2016, the headliners were  Travis Scott and Goldlink. Last year, Tory Lanez and Shy Glizzy topped the bill, and this year featured Ella Mai and Saweetie.

The common theme for these artists is not just the genres they share but their streaming prowess: each of those artists boasts millions of listens across Spotify, Apple Music, and other streaming services. This year in particular, Ella Mai has had a meteoric rise. Her debut single, “Boo’d Up,” stormed the charts this summer, reaching #1 on the US R&B chart due to its overall stream count, along with effective playlisting — always an important factor. On a smaller scale, Saweetie has also garnered a fanbase in a matter of months through the success of her debut single, “ICY GIRL,” which started as a viral hit on YouTube. Within months of its official release, she’d been named Artist Of The Week by streaming service Tidal.

Always influenced by the interests of VCU’s student body, this year the school’s programming board made moves to get students more directly involved in picking artists they’d like to see, launching a survey to help hone in on which artists they wanted to try for when booking the event. For the most part, students picked the same sort of relatively new artists in the hip hop and R&B world, including Lil Yachty, Lil Uzi Vert, and a variety who got their start in the viral streaming underground of “Soundcloud rap.” 

The eventual choice of female headliners marked a pleasant change in direction for an event that has featured a male-heavy lineup over the past few years. And it paid off, as headliner Ella Mai delivered one of the best sets at a VCU homecoming show since Travis Scott in 2016 — and Scott is known for his excellent live performances.

With a live band backing her, Ella Mai’s searing vocals and affable glow enthralled the crowd with a much-needed dose of R&B after a hip-hop heavy night. Hits like “Boo’d Up” and “Trip” were well-received, excellently sung, and got a big singalong response from the crowd. Saweetie’s performance was professional through and through, showing that she should have staying power in what is often a grueling industry. Her charming personality and stage presence was an added bonus to a good set.

In the end, 2018’s VCU Homecoming show was yet another successful show bringing up-and-coming talent in the hip hop and R&B world to the fans that are out there boosting stream counts for these artists. It’s a clear reminder, that the kids run the music industry, and the kids determine what’s hot. Streaming has only accentuated that, and VCU’s programming coordinators are wise to take notice.

Photos by Lily Vita

A Satirical Masquerade: The Art of Massa Lemu

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According to artist Massa Lemu, it is the year of the dupe. Lemu describes election season in his home country, Malawi, as a time of trickery and deceit, during which the elite makes their way to the ground from their “ivory towers,” as Lemu puts it. While he isn’t home for the election season, Lemu wants to be part of the action.That’s why he has created his own political party. And his latest exhibition at 1708 Gallery, He Who Gave Us Teeth Should Give You Art to See: A Patois Bourgeois P.arty Manifesto, brings that party to life. 

He Who Gave Us Teeth Should Give You Art to See, an extension of Lemu’s previous project, Patois Bourgeois Minor Portraits, is meant to simulate a post-colonial election campaign platform for the Patois Bourgeois P.arty (that period is intentional). It’s a satirical critique, showcasing the way that, in Lemu’s eyes, election season in Malawi is a time for politicians to have their egos stroked and Malawians to be taken advantage of. 

Lemu, a visual artist and writer, is currently teaching in VCU’s Department of Sculpture and Extended Media.

“I haven’t done anything else since childhood, apart from making art,” he says. “I started drawing at an early age, so I grew up drawing and moved on to painting.”

Lemu says that his uncle, David Zuze, was one of his earliest sources of artistic influence. Zuze painted as a hobby and Lemu watched him as a child. After high school, Lemu went on to study art at the University of Malawi, earning his Bachelor of Education Degree, with a major in Fine Arts, from the University of Malawi. He later received a Masters Degree in painting from the Savannah College of Art and Design, and a Ph.D. in Visual Arts from Stellenbosch University in South Africa.

All of Lemu’s work has been influenced by his experience as a Malawian. Growing up in Malawi and seeing the state of things upset him.

“After gaining independence, Malawi was in the hands of an autocrat, [Hastings Banda] — it was ruled by an autocratic regime for over 30 years, from 1964 to 1994,” says Lemu. During Banda’s reign, the totalitarian government tortured and murdered political opponents. Human rights groups estimate that nearly 6,000 people were killed, tortured and jailed without trial.

Malawi has been ranked over the years as one of the poorest countries in the world; its people, on average, live on less than $1,000 per year. The 2014 “cashgate” scandal found that the country was defrauded by various government officials of $32 million, 1 percent of its annual GDP, over the course of six months. This is just one example of the corrupt government that Lemu attempts to critique through his artwork.  

Malawi’s president and the vice-president are elected on one ballot for a five-year term. The next election will be in May 2019. Lemu believes the current campaign is excessive and is a mockery, full of empty promises from political elite who do not have the best interest of the people in their hearts.

“The kind of masquerade that happens during the campaign season, it’s a season of duping each other,” he said. “It’s that time of the year where you see politicians really get connected to the people, and they pretend to humble themselves so they can get their votes.”

When he introduced the Patois Bourgeois P.arty project, a lot of people following the Malawi election didn’t realize it was satire. “When I posted on social media, some people thought I actually started my own party,” Lemu laughed.

“I liked the kind of confusion that it created,” Lemu said. “It’s easy for some to miss the twists that I introduced. The symbols that I used on the artwork are well-known symbols amongst Malawians, but not found on actual party clothes or flags. But it’s a symbol that is used to critique the behavior of politicians in Malawi who can easily shift from one party to the next. You wouldn’t find a party that uses the chameleon, [but] Malawian politicians change colors like the chameleon.”

The exhibit features political posters emblazoned with symbols and slogans like “TO MAKE MORE BURY-HEAD-IN-THE-SAND-ART,” or “TO MAKE MORE GET-LAID-ART.” Lemu says that the exhibition isn’t just about politics, it’s also about his own existence as an artist.

While the target of the messages is the people of Malawi and those in positions of power, the themes of election seasons being full of deception and broken promises reach Americans as well. For many, Donald Trump’s presidency has ignited feelings of disappointment and distrust of the U.S. government.   

Lemu says that the exhibition is also meant to encourage people to start asking questions about the way we look at politics, and life in general.

“I am questioning the spectacle that is part of this campaign season — the use of the images and symbols to lure, to bedazzle, even to disempower Malawians,” Lemu said. “At the moment, it would be difficult for you to distinguish one party from the next, because the trick that parties use is to use similar symbols.”

This maneuver hopes to deceive Malawians into voting for a candidate they don’t believe in, or misinterpreting the intentions of one political party or another.

The exhibit serves to promote the idea of decolonization, not just of a country, but the mind. While Malawi may be free from British control, the effects of colonization still show in the country today. Lemu says he hopes an opportunity comes for him to present this exhibition in Malawi and create a dialogue about the current state of things politically in his home country.

For now, it is on display here in Richmond. He Who Gave Us Teeth Should Give You Art to See: A Patois Bourgeois P.arty Manifesto is on display at 1708 Gallery, located at 319 W. Broad St, until Dec. 8. For more info on the exhibition, click here. To see more of Massa Lemu’s work, visit his website.

Best of RVA Missed Connections: November 14 – November 20

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It’s a short week, and we’re all hurrying to get through it and get to the long Thanksgiving weekend already. But before you make your Black Friday shopping plans, you might want to find some loving. That’s where Missed Connections comes in.

This week, we’ve got all sorts of hanky-panky going on, from military gym rats and dog park habitues to tomato planters and friendly waitresses. If you’re into turtles, or racing your BMW on the interstate, someone might just be looking for you. Just be careful you don’t blow it because you couldn’t find parking! This ain’t amateur hour.

The husky bearded white dude by the vcu library

Long shot. We started taking by the compass. After talking for sometime. You asked me if i have a gf and then called me handsome. You have some great sleeve ink and beautiful country accent. Hit me up, man. Would love to get together at some point. 

Enchanted (Scottsville)

“Daddy” misses his “enchanted” princess. Seems like it’s been “everlong”

Yng lady tryn to keep the peace (Godfreys)

You were with your friend who wore glasses n was “friends” with one of my friends but u n your friend danced together most of the night. You talked to me for a moment and we played footsy with our fingers. I would like to get to know you better if thats okay. Tell me if u remember me? 

On 64 east by Indian river rd

I’m a male, We shared a look or three, before I exited you slid your foot up in your seat sliding your skirt up next time I will let you see. Let me know when and where your going to be so I can give you a show 

LoriA (Colonial Hts)

You looked just a little TOO good when I saw you yesterday. To quote Rhett Butler, “You should be kissed and often. And by someone who knows how!” Wish it was me…..that burgundy lipstick to match your top was just SINFUL! 

A- (Petersburg)

I doubt you will see this. Few yrs ago. You had medium length red hair. We met and instant chemistry. The record player always on. You said I was the first guy who could keep up. I helped plant your tomatoes. You borrowed my hat and tshirt then disappeared. Best 6 weeks ever. Lost your contact info. Hope life is blessed. Thanks for the memories. 

Dawn at Mom’s Siam

Dawn, we met at Mom’s Siam last night and were heading for another drink at Buddy’s when they closed. I don’t think either of us could find parking. I passed you as we both searched a couple of times.

Here’s hoping you see this. I wish I’d thought to give you my number

Wonder Woman (C-field)

I miss you. Saw you a few times at the pool this summer looking so sexy. Really wish we could re-connect. 

RE: Beautiful and not shy woman at slightly stooped concert (The National)

I was standing to the left of you. You were with your gf, I assume. She’s a thin blonde. Your hair was pulled back, and you have a beard.

Just letting you know I see this. It was fun 😉 

Turkish bmw

To the gorgeous turkish girl racing me down 95 in a BMW… I let you win 

Dog Park (Ocean view)

I was at the playground with my kids and you pulled up in front of me with your dog, he was wearing a harness with “in training”. You walked into the dog park and I couldn’t help but notice how attractive you were. You made eye contact a few times. I hope you see this ad! If you do what color sweater we’re you using and what color and brand were your shoes. If you could tell me what color shorts I was wearing I would know that’s it’s you for sure! 

Miseed P from Bon Air (Providence Road)

What a pleasant surprise to bump into you. Have missed your smile and spirit, as well as the turtles. We keep bumping into each other. Would love to talk. S  

Met at gym You came over twice for massage (Glen Allen)

When I was here for work after Labor Day, we met at the gym and you ended up coming to my hotel room twice in two weeks for massage.

You were mid20s, great build, forget if you said Army or USMC, your gym bag had a college logo on it (trying to be discrete here.)

You wanted to come again the following week but I had already checked out.

Anyway, I’m back for work, same hotel, brought my massage stuff and fleshlight but lost your email so try me again man.

Alamo?

You were the initial waitress for me and my family at the beginning of our movie. You wrote a heart on my check at the end of the movie. I wasnt sure if it was something you normally do or if there was something there?

If there was something, I’m totally interested. Tell me what movie it was, and maybe what I ordered or was wearing if it’s really you. 

Bird’s Richmond Migration: Activists and Officials Weigh In on the Most Recent Developments

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A stalled bike share campaign is gathering dust on sun-baked streets. Truck beds stuffed with electric scooters are deposited across Virginia Commonwealth University’s bustling campus. Police forces directed to impound those scooters have joined a campaign that stretches across the Commonwealth. The contentious state of transportation in the city of Richmond has seemingly simmered, following months of upheaval and change that included the arrival of dockless scooter company Bird. But tensions remain, with questions about how the city will handle Bird’s motorized product — and how the company may respond — up in the air. 

On the issue of Richmond transportation, Nicholas Da Silva, Chair of the VCU chapter of the Young Democratic Socialists of America, is familiar and experienced, saying, “It’s better than some places, but it could definitely use a lot of work.”

Da Silva has served as part of improving this aspect of the community through a free car repair program, in addition to his research on the now-stalled Richmond Supershoppers bus program, and his observation of the many changes the GRTC Pulse initiative brought with its completion.

“I wish the city had considered making the Pulse more accessible to more people, and maybe got more community input before they moved the bus lines,” Da Silva said, citing interactions with people disappointed with the restructuring of Richmond’s public transit.

This shift in how citizens now commute was picking up steam even as the the RVA Bike Share program sputtered out less than a year after its launch. It was this chaotic atmosphere that Bird landed in during the summer, as it spread throughout Virginia, leading to quick adoption from those who could find and use them and a wide variety of responses from state officials.

While Da Silva thinks Bird’s products are “better than nothing,” he’s also aware of the requirements that come with using the motorized scooters in a city as busy and commuter-heavy as Richmond, and critical of how the company introduced themselves.

“Just as I would oppose pretty much any other private entity coming out and introducing a really disruptive element to the city, I think that all of them should be considering the effects they have on the community before they introduce a product like that,” Da Silva said.

With Richmond joining other cities, including Norfolk and Virginia Beach, in confiscating hundreds of the scooters from their streets, that community could be leveraged to defend Bird.

It’s worked for them before: in Santa Monica, during deliberations by the local government over who would serve as the city’s e-transport provider, Bird and fellow scooter company Lime called on the public to lobby in their defense when it seemed likely that Uber and Lyft would be chosen. Lobbying efforts included citywide service outages, pre-written messages for users to send to City Hall, and invitations to rallies. Effectively, these companies used language and tactics created to defend underrepresented, marginalized communities to sell and defend a product (mostly) aimed at upper- and upper middle-class citizens — and succeeded. 

This isn’t the first time similar companies have used similar tactics for product promotion or against regulation. And, according to Da Silva, they’ve already started in Richmond, with targeted appeals from Bird’s app and across social media.

“I think it’s a very transparent attempt to use people. In my own opinion, it’s a very cheap ploy used by a private company,” Da Silva said.

Richmond’s position as a seat of decision-making for both local and statewide policy makes the approach it takes to Bird a possible look into its ultimate fate in Virginia. Mayor Levar Stoney, for his part, has expressed an interest in working with the company, while ensuring they operate by the guidelines set by the city. As part of this, the Mayor introduced an ordinance to the Richmond City Council in September that includes requirements for application fees, customer service, safety standards, and parking education for riders of dockless scooters and bikes.

In a statement to RVA Magazine, Press Secretary James Nolan said Mayor Levar Stoney remains displeased with Bird’s continued defiance of the Cease and Desist order issued to the company in August.

“Scooters in violation of the ordinance will continue to be picked up, impounded and have fines attached to their recovery,” the statement read. “The mayor is not opposed to scooters in RVA, but he does think that for the safety, health and protection of residents, pedestrians and riders alike, this needs to be done the right way.”

City Council recently delayed voting on that ordinance to November, leaving the question of whether Bird will continue to nest in Richmond unanswered for now.

*Photos by George Copeland

Bob Woodward Is Speaking Tonight in Richmond, And It’s A Big Deal

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Bob Woodward is coming to VCU’s W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts tonight to give a lecture on “Truth, Freedom of Expression, Democracy and the Age of the American Presidency.” For those who follow politics, pay attention to the president’s antics, and are aware enough to know, Woodward is the fucking man. A champion of exceptional journalism, Woodward is best known for his 1973 coverage of the Watergate scandal alongside fellow reporter Carl Bernstein. That reporting eventually let President Richard Nixon to resign.

As a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, Woodward continues to attract international acclaim. He never misses an opportunity to document chaos or speak truth to power through the nation’s tragedies and complexity; from the 9-11 attacks and Hollywood’s drug culture, to the CIA’s secret intelligence wars, Woodward is there.

As an associate editor of The Washington Post, Woodward has covered the past eight presidents and authored or  co-authored 18 books. His latest work: Fear: Trump in the White House – is a case study of “deep background,” based on interviews with Trump’s cabinet advisors, containing specific dates and an almost seamless timeline. It has created a blistering national dialogue. And with its revelations of silent hysteria inside the Trump White House, it might actually be the book to get young people involved enough in politics to start voting again.

Tonight, Woodward will undoubtedly discuss the role the press plays in these complex times and how the public understands this era of misinformation from the podium. And in an age where media is threatened by those in power and in which continuous hearsay masquerades as news, the power of Woodward’s pen and experience is needed now more than ever.

Trump Tweet on Woodward’s Book

Since his book was released, Woodward has been attacked by Trump and his proxies, who have called him “con of the public”, his book  “nothing more than fabricated stories”, and according to Sarah Sanders, “the fear is coming from the Democrats.” His book clearly struck a nerve. And while it’s easy to laugh at the sight of Trump’s hapless crew putting out more fires than bills, they are still the ones in the White House.

As Max Boot, a veteran columnist for the Washington Post was quick to point out about Woodward’s book, “Even if Woodward doesn’t break  ground in conceptual terms, he does provide damning new evidence to buttress what we already know — that after more than 18 months in office, Trump is just as unqualified as ever to be president.”

While most can agree problems exist with our government, the lack of public accountability remains our greatest problem. This is a symptom of the helplessness we all feel during this sketchy administration. Until we better understand our role in this new political reality, our role in bettering the democratic process will always be flimsy at best. Who better to give this lesson than one of them men who brought down another shitty president?

Woodward’s lecture will being at 6pm at the Singleton Center, with doors opening at 5pm. The event is free and open to the public. If the event is filled to capacity, video will be streamed to three overflow locations on campus — the James W. Black Music Center Recital Hall at 1015 Grove Ave., the James Branch Cabell Library’s Lecture Hall in Room 303 at 901 Park Ave. and Room 1164 of the T. Edward Temple Building, 901 W. Main St.

Best of RVA Missed Connections: September 19 – 24

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Autumn, that magical time of the year when the foliage comes alive with the scent of nature, the seasons take flight and remind us of our common humanity, and Richmonders take to the pages of Craigslist to pine for lost love, and, uh, mature tennis outfits. This week, let RVA Mag take you on a journey through to find that special blue-eyed bartender, that one-in-a-million Arby’s patron, and that Sweet Biscuit “Angel,” who’s hair is like “periwinkle cotton candy.”

Get amongst it, Richmond.

Sweet Biscuit Angel: Early Bird Biscuit

“Your heavenly presence calmed me during the breakfast rush, this blessed Saturday morn. Your hair is the color of periwinkle cotton candy. Thank you for warming my soul with your flaky, buttery, biscuit.”

Copper Mill Apartments: Henrico

“You, my gentleman, are my knight in shining armor who walks and rides your bike past my apartment at almost the same times during the week. You have no idea how you brighten my day as I wait to catch a glimpse of your exquisite physique on almost a daily basis. You always return with bags so I guess you make a run to the store. If I wasn’t so shy, I am always tempted to come out, walk in front of you and hopefully you would stop and our eyes would meet, at which point you would melt with desire for me. Just keep doing the same thing as I can’t take my eyes off of you and would be too nervous to introduce myself. Oh but how I want you in my dreams.”

VCU Photo Student Taking Stranger Photos:

“You stopped by and took some pics today, I would love to see them sometime. Tell me about your photos and where you are from so I know it’s you. Would love to meet up sometime.”

Looking for Bio Family

“I’m currently looking for my biological sister. She was given up for adoption in Richmond during the mid-1960’s. Her biological fathers name is Larry Joe Garner from Waldron, Arkansas.

My understanding is she was from a family that already had numerous children and felt they couldn’t take care of one more so her maternal grandmother was going to raise her but due to unknown circumstances her grandmother decided to put her in an orphanage. Larry signed away his paternal rights and that’s all I know…Larry was stationed at Fort Belvior during December 1961 and December 1963. His best friends were Jim Evans and someone last name Rose.

If you have ANY information, no matter how insignificant you may feel that it is PLEASE contact me by email, text or phone.”

Arby’s on Broad & Bremo Blonde

“I stopped in yesterday afternoon around 3. You were a customer also. You had a young lady with you, she might have been 11ish? Anyway, you are blonde, had black workout pants and an orange t-shirt on. We made eye contact with each other frequently. I was sitting in my Expedition when you left…I saw you checking out my personalized plates as you walked to your silver SUV and you tried to catch another look as you drove off. Life is full of missed connections and opportunities… I hope that I have a chance to rectify this missed opportunity. I know that it’s extremely unlikely that you will see this post. But I have been thinking about you since yesterday afternoon and I absolutely had to at least make an attempt to reach you!”

Thank You for Saying I had a Cool Shirt at Brown’s Island/Belle Isle

“I was walking with my friend around Brown’s Island/Belle Isle around 4 pm Saturday and you said our shirts were cool but I didn’t realize you were talking to me so I didn’t say thanks but then I realized you were talking to me but you were already too far away and I felt like a jackass for not saying thanks so if you see this: thanks for saying my shirt was cool I really appreciate it

Keep up the good work,

Your pal,

The guy with the cool shirt and the friend who had a cool shirt too”