Original image of Midwestern by There Stands the Glass.
JPEGMAFIA, the cult artist responsible for the possible album of the year, performed at the Granada in Lawrence, Kansas, on Wednesday, March 29. I opted for a different rap show. Two rap shows, actually.
I paid $15 for admittance to the serendipitously titled Farewell to Rap tour at Farewell. The cover charge for a bill of noise-rappers a few steps away at Howdy was $10. My quick impressions of all eight acts in the order of their appearances:
Young Mvchetes- Good ideas. Iffy execution.
Laaee Uzumak- Mainstream Kaycee rap.
Defo- Even before he told me he was from Minneapolis, I detected Doomtree vibes from the rapper.
Student 1- Ingratiating Minnesotan.
Tricky Youth- Industrial shock rapper replete with an incense incantation and a literal blood ritual.
Tabby- Slick pop.
Midwestern- The only act I’d previously seen and a factor in my decision not to go to Lawrence, the duo’s manic performance floored me.
Ghais Guevara- The leftist Philly rapper merits consideration from Top Dawg Entertainment.
Four rap enthusiasts drove 50 miles from JPEGMAFIA’s concert to catch the final 20 minutes of Ghai Guevara’s gig. Their dedication inspired me. Yet no matter how good Peggy was, I’m confident I made the right choice.