By Princess Russell |Staff Writer|
Passionate poets and inspiring Hip-Hop artists convened at the SMSU Events Center May 4 for the annual Lyricist Lounge show.
The show was an eclectic and cohesive mixture of the raw talent from various up and coming artists in the Inland Empire. This wasn’t your everyday run of the mill talent show; it was a masterful exhibit of the progression of artistry in the region.
The brothers of the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity hosted the awe-inspiring event and many of the performances were done by some of CSUSB’s very own students.
The Events Center was filled with supporters, including everyone from alumni to family to members of the music business.
There was nothing but support and encouragement for the artists who got on stage to express their craft. The performers and the host of the show did an awesome job at keeping the crowd turned up and energized for the entire night.
Rae’Nelle Smith showed off her enchanting and sultry voice as she strummed her guitar to her love song. It was the sweetest performance of the night.
Beginning with the powerful words “Take fire to me,” CSUSB student Jazmin Jett stood with poise and enticed the audience with the richness of her voice as she held the mic and read aloud.
Melody, a rapper who goes by the name Mello, had a commendable performance. Mello, who describes her style as ‘dance hip-hop,’ introduced the audience to her new dance, “The Debo,” which immediately got the crowd going.
“What makes me special is my drive and my ambition.” she said.
Ahmael Balraj, who is one-third of the spoken word trio The Corner Poets, did a beautiful job reciting his sensual poetry. It was a special treat that showed appreciation for the lovely ladies who were entranced with the sound of his voice.
After a short intermission, the surprise of the night was the original and innovative beat box session that seemed to take the crowd back in time.
The musical resonance of Eliza-B added a cool retro twist and a charming feminine flare to the ears of all the keen listeners in the audience.
Noa James had an explosive performance and brought the house down with his set. The crowd was in tune with his aggressive inner city lyrics and chill California beats. James transformed the room, which instantly felt like a church ceremony with the center stage as its pulpit.
“My mind is sick and I am twisted,” James proclaimed in a part of a verse. “I am the iron man saving Aaliyah from the plane she was flying in.”
Overall, The Lyricist Lounge was an amazing display of raw local talent with honest and heartfelt emotions. The energy of the performances and the reception of the crowd made this event a complete success.