WEEK OF 9/13/2019

Malci / all 📷 : Kyle Land

Local hip-hop imprint Why? held a homecoming show for their label heads Malci and Free Snacks at Sleeping Village joined by the West Sides inventive rhyme spinner Musa Reems. While criminally under attended for the talent on display, it was a family affair with every artist in the front row for each others’ sets, and the enthusiasm for the music was palpable. A wedding had been held in the venue the day before, and in air of the celebratory mood, they left the balloon arch in place which worked to set a joyful scene throughout the evening, even if these three acts brought all the energy necessary to get the crowd moving. 

The prolifically lyrical Musa Reems hit the stage first with quite a few tunes off this summer’s Musa Mondays EP and a few new tracks from newly announced To Whom It May Concern (due November 12th). Born and raised in Austin, the struggles of the neighborhood is written all over his work, creating a portrait of the daily struggle to rise above your environment. Working the crowd, pacing back and forth, spitting with an intensity that rivals the best emcees, Reems captured the small crowd’s imagination and their dancing shoes; he leaped from the stage several times to join us on our level in the front, adding tenfold to the intensity of his performance. Ending with a dance party blowout that got everyone moving was a genius way to keep the energy of Reems’ performance going into the rest of the evening.

Duo Free Snacks came out blasting and lit up the room with their infectious energy and quick-witted attack. Spitting some of the most inventive bars in the local scene, Joshua Virtue and Ruby Watson traded off their imaginative verses backed by Watson’s spare and edgy beats. Last year’s EAT GOOD TAPE was a revelation of party hip-hop with heart, and with a new record on its way, the two were able to share plenty of fresh material with the adoring friends and fans. Crowd favorites “Tired Hearts Are Hip to Pure Agave” and “Give It Back” are pure crowd pleasers and quite a few onlookers knew every word. Full of contagious enthusiasm for their art, Free Snacks is one of the city’s must-see acts. Keep your eyes peeled for these talented emcees! 

The one-man beat and bars machine Malci closed the evening with his chilled-out vibes that explode in an instant into his wondrous observation-filled raps. After dropping Papaya! at the start of the summer, Malci has been enjoying some underground attention for his boom bap beats and experimental flair that has simultaneous roots in jazz, ambient, and hip-hop. It didn’t take long for him to warm up the crowd with his lanky frame bent over a noodle boy mixer and chanting, “On the one-two’s,” as he built the beat for each record. The call and response chant of “Why?” filled the room throughout the set, and as every artist of the night danced in the front row, Malci brought the evening to a fitting and joyous conclusion with hit thoughtful and inspiring performance.       

- Kyle Land            

All three acts are on the bill for Decibel Crawl Fest this weekend. The second year for the multi-club fest featuring some excellent local acts all weekend long. Check out the lineup, and get there!  

Keep a lookout for all Why? Releases: Next up, the new release from emcee Davis, out September 20th.