There's so much going on in VA hip hop in 2012 that you could be forgiven for missing out on entire crews and movements who are currently making things happen in their own areas. Thankfully, people are always sending us new info about the local scene, and we do our best to pass it along to you. This is the latest new hip hop movement I've discovered here in VA; a whole crew of rappers, most of which I'm just now discovering, will be performing this Saturday at Kingdom's Richmond Royalty Concert, presented by Broad Street Elite. Headlining the show will be Southside Vega, who represents Line Em Up Entertainment and recently released a mixtape entitled Operation Upt Vol. 1. This is some serious gangsta shit out of Southside, as showcased on his single "Tru," featuring Cheifa Reef and Dolla. In fact, they just dropped a video for that track last month, which you can check out below. It's hardcore.
The bill has plenty of other VA hip hop to offer, from Hafiz's cinematic-sounding golden-age styles to VA Beach rapper Swaze's Dirty South bounce and Barry Barz's melodically focused, R&B infused hip hop sounds. The whole evening is hosted by RatedRRadio, with music by DJ Booki Bluntz. It'll be a varied cornucopia of local and regional hip hop acts, and you can be sure that the whole thing will be quite entertaining. You'd expect no less from Richmond Royalty, right?
WHAT: Broad Street Elite Presents Richmond Royalty Concert!
WHO: Southside Vega, Hafiz, VA $tarter$, Swaze, Barry Barz, Nsane & Conci$e, Whop, Tony Graham. Hosted by Rated R Radio, Music by DJ Booki Bluntz.
WHERE: Kingdom, 10 Walnut Alley (alley between Franklin and Main St, Shockoe Bottom)
WHEN: Saturday, July 14, Doors open at 7 PM
ADMISSION: $10 in advance, $12 at the door. Purchase advance tickets HERE.