Atlanta MC and mixtape machine, Future, headlined Rageville Fest last night at the Bomb Factory and the come out could not have been any less of our expectations. With two No.1 albums this year, the rebranding of the MC as Trap music’s realest rapper, there was no room to doubt the sold out show. Dallas, just like anywhere else in the country, the streets are itching for the new Future. After the fame, the public engagement, and break ups. Future’s music seemed to have been influenced by one too many outside producers and collaborators who lined up to work with the new face of trap music. As the world got to know Future and we got some great bangers, for which we are grateful for, The streets felt like they were losing their guy, the one rapper who could really lay it down the way the streets know how to. ‘Where yah at’ and DS2 weren’t really anything too innovative production wise, yet it was transcendent. It felt like an open letter to the streets. An ode to Drake’s motto ‘No New Friends’, recognizing the streets and ditching the opportunistic record labels and fame chasers. Follow that with ‘What a time to be alive’, a collaborative mixtape with Drake only a couple months apart. This is not just a convenient strategic move from both artists, its a movement and its moving fast. A movement that embraces the root of it all, the voice of a community who strikes for success in unconventional ways spoken by the hustlers and the urban visionaries who have actually done it. Dallas itched for Future and Rageville brought the opportunity for Texas to see him do his thing on stage.
Rageville turned out to be one of the best we’ve seen in the area all year long. Other concept one-day festivals around suchas Fools Gold, JMBLYA and Mad Decent shoot for the youthful markets. Rageville felt more dedicated for the mature and experienced ragers. The ones who could comfortably get messed up in public and keep themselves together, the ones who actually cared about the music. Given that the event was indoors, in one of the most exclusive venues in town, and the average age gap was late 20’s, it felt like the grown up and stylish way to turn up.
Keith Ape was when the party really started. The Korean rapper who made a name for himself through the internet with ‘It G Ma’, which could well have been the song of the night. From the balcony, I could see the crowd rapidly approach the dancefloor to act a fool when it came on. Most in confusion, not knowing that Keith Ape is the mastermind behind the catchy song, others ‘the knowingly’ who were just arriving in time to catch such early set. But the internet star delivered a very consistent set that wasn’t overshadowed by the song. He was filled with freakish amounts of high energy, did lots of hair flipping, jumping,and stumping. Although a short set, it was definitely enough to make an impression.
Following Keith Ape was AraabMusik, and he came in strong. Showcasing production styles that were very appropriate for the event, some Moombathon, some trap. It was heavy set with the right balance of Hip-hop samples of current hits and old school anthems. The set was full of build ups and experimental tricks that kept the crowd interested and allowed the dancing kweens to finally show up some moves. It was truly the best Dj set of the night.
After we got tired of trying to chase shots of the Dj’s who were 1o’ft raised from the ground, we turned our attention the masses. After all, it was Halloween weekend and people wanted to show up in their costumes and we found some really wicked looking people out there. Make sure to check out our snapchat feed while it’s up and you will see all of the unique individuals we encountered.
Photos by: Adrian Samano
