hip hop

Uptown Cypher to the Main Stage, Supporting Medhane, Wifigawd & Odd Mojo by Maxwell Young

A curious hotel guest listens to the first Uptown Cypher of 2020. Polaroid by Maxwell Young, The LINE Hotel, 1/29/20

A curious hotel guest listens to the first Uptown Cypher of 2020. Polaroid by Maxwell Young, The LINE Hotel, 1/29/20

‘Uptown Cypher to the main stage. Uptown Cypher to the main stage, it’s showtime,’ a sound engineer’s Walkie-talkie growls under the stirring crowd as stage crews prepare for opening curtain. At least, this is how I imagine Saturday’s show at Comet Ping Pong; the Cypher sharing the spotlight with boisterous ambassadors of D.C.’s rap conglomerate in Wifigawd and Odd Mojo, while Medhane’s shooting star passes through District limits. Hip hop in its most instinctive and communal moments juxtaposed with the more compositional and performative elements of the genre—this is an experiment controlled by Angelie Benn, founder and lead events director of Capitol Sound D.C.

“Including interactive performances at [Capitol Sound] events has been on my agenda since last year, but I rarely ever saw an opportunity to do so where it made sense,” Benn said over email. “Now, with the Uptown Cypher a part of this lineup, it furthers our mission of building the bridge between local and national acts…”

Throughout 14 episodes broadcast via the home base of Full Service Radio, the Uptown Cypher has served as a public service announcement, amplifying the myriad of sonic pockets evident in the DMV’s hip hop community: the street sense of MARTYHEEMCHERRY, Fleetwood Deville, Paydroo and SQ; the esoteric consciousness of Mavi, Thraxx King, NAPPYNAPPA and Nate G; the head cranking brought to you by Discipline 99, Johnny Caravaggio, Mfundishi, Supa Statiq, Suede Moccasins and Magnus Andretti; contemporary bops by Cozi Bob, Mesenfants Infinity, Tedy Brewski, Odd Mojo, Khan and Toothchoir; fundamental soul from legends YU, Fat Kneel and Thrty Smthng; the effervescent Greenss; backpack licks from Flex Matthews, Rafael, Nate Jackson Kills Niggas and Paris; the brand name presence from THFCTRY and Sir E.U—Andrew of ROOMHAUS and his necessary warmup mixes. More than 60 locally-based vocalists, emcees and producers have taken the pilgrimage to The LINE Hotel to expand the reach of the DMV sound. For hip hop heads young and old, for the rookies and the veterans, the Uptown Cypher is a platform for artists to hone their skills live and direct, on air. Ultimately, it’s an archive of the District’s musical ecosystem.

Thanks to the one-night triumvirate between InTheRough, Capitol Sound D.C. and Uptown Arthouse, we are proud to present a sampling of the Uptown Cypher program. While we invite all willing wordsmiths and beat-makers to participate, Saturday’s session will be kicked off by longtime friends of the Uptown Cypher, including Nate G, Greenss, Thraxx King, MARTYHEEMCHERRY and Master of Ceremony Jamal Gray. Tickets to this weekend’s show are available here.

The Uptown Cypher is broadcast live via FullServiceRadio.org from 7-9 PM, EST on the last Wednesday of every month. Listen to the one-year anniversary Cypher or the first Cypher of 2020 below.

Uptown cypher

March 7, 2020

10pm-1am

5037 Connecticut Avenue, NW

Washington, D.C., 20008

Carousel images from the one year anniversary episode of the Uptown Cypher, courtesy of Diana N.

Deej: The Next Star To Come From Pittsburgh by Alex Young

Deej | Photographs by Alex Young

Deej | Photographs by Alex Young

The snapshot of Pittsburgh culture the last two years at times was bleak. People died. People key to the development of arts, entertainment, creativity, and ultimately progress in the city are gone. After his death, the artist known as Yung Mulatto left a legacy through his illustrations that showed how he championed familiar hip-hop communities in The ‘Burgh. Jimmy Wopo, another local rap legend, was on the brink of takeoff— stardom. Worldwide notoriety was soon to be his, but senseless gun violence killed him. Mac Miller, a beacon of Pittsburgh pride and musicality, died from an accidental drug overdose. Cap Jazzo, a participant in the local hip-hop scene with the group Glasshead passed on too. Within a year and a half, Pittsburgh lost some of its greatest artists and minds. East Pittsburgh Police officer Michael Rosfeld also killed an unarmed black teen named Antwon Rose shooting him in the back three times during that same period, and a white supremacist killed 11 Jews in their synagogue in Squirrel Hill.

Communities here remain hopeful and productive, though.

A legendary author walks among us snagging press in the New York Times, Time magazine, Washington Post, and more for his debut book, What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Blacker by Damon Young. Rappers who came up in the local culture performing at functions like First Friday have gotten signed and hit the road for national tours. Benji., a talented musician and performer opens up for popular rap group EarthGang. Coincidence— Benji.’s older brother, Christo, is a trusted DJ and chart-topping producer in the music industry, especially with Dreamville’s J.I.D. Meanwhile, another Pittsburgh player, Zeke Nicholson co-runs the management firm Since the 80s backing EarthGang and J.I.D, along with 21 Savage and other popular hip-hop acts. My Favorite Color, the rapper originally from Los Angeles who moved to Pittsburgh during adolescence through young adulthood, signed with Rostrum Records upon his return home to L.A. Now, Taylor Gang prepares to make a bigger impact in the city upon the release of their compilation mixtape featuring select artists from here in Pittsburgh.

One of those artists on the mixtape will be Deej, a superstar apparent who can rap, sing, and hold your eye.

Once she opened the door and walked in Klavon’s ice cream parlor in the Strip District, the sun from outside behind her peeking through the closing door made Deej glow. Her colorful pink ensemble kept her in the spotlight. A soft, fluffy long pink coat matched her patent leather pink boots. The skirt she wore was teal leather paired with a big teal belt and buckle. The whole thing was groovy and mixed well with fun and playfulness in the ice cream parlor.

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“Pittsburgh artists are doing great,” Deej said. “We’re dope people.”

Michael Carroll, Deej’s manager, mentioned Deej’s placement on the Taylor Gang mixtape and began talking about the contemporary culture as it pertains to the history of Pittsburgh’s music scene. There’s two sides: the left side talking about enjoying life and the right side talking about drugs and killing each other. 31-year-old Carroll claims the left side has had better success furthering their careers and getting signed. He references 2008 when Wiz Khalifa was coming up out of the ’Burgh along with other artists like S. Money. It was the same narrative with the left and right side. Wiz became a household name whereas S. Money wound up in jail.

On the other hand, the 22-year-old rapper-songstress Deej fits into any music community well, although admittedly, she’s “a little different” from others. She’s into mermaids, fairies and aliens as a self-described loner. Deej’s ability forces her to pop out because her voice is too good to keep to herself. “I won’t say I’m this talented person, but I am,” Deej said. She’s soft-spoken, but, as you see, the Pittsburgh native can break into her bag and boast when it comes to her music.

You know I run it.
— Deej in "#Bykwri"

Impressively, how Deej transitions from rap flow to singing listeners like. “Everything she does is effortlessly,” Carroll said. Her R&B vocals became prominent in her January 2019 debut album called “Unikorn Black.” Tracks on the record like the sultry “Good Wood” and “On$ight,” which samples Ginuwine’s hit song “Differences,” shine as complements with the bars Deej bites off rapping in “#Bykwri.” She said, “I just create art. Some people call me a rapper. Some people call me an R&B singer. I guess I’m both,” classifying her skillsets.

The mood board for Deej takes inspo from Nicki Minaj “Super Bass.” Deej smiles thinking about that time in her life. “I wore Chinese Bangs in highlighted colors all the time. I did my own hair… You know that was that era it was lit swear.”

As an artist, Deej gains traction due to her product and promotion. She’s performed as the opener for Young M.A. The “Unikorn Black” album released first, and now Deej drops periodic music videos to keep the songs fresh. Both “Pri$tine” and “Space$hip” are next to receive visuals. She also credits her team thanks to her mother and Carroll for helping with her success. “Being isolated is cool and all, but really you need other people around you to learn,” Deej said.

Through it all, Deej has learned her process is “about trust.” Trusting herself, trusting her management, and trusting her message is true. “A good environment and good headspace, you’ll be good. You just gotta want it. Get up and go.”

Read the full transcript from the Deej interview below.


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Deej: Is it homemade ice cream?

InTheRough: I’m not sure, but it is good.

Deej: I kinda want a shirt— a Klavon’s shirt.

ITR: Cool. So, you’re 21-years-old now. How long have you been making music?

Deej: Since I was 17, so four years.

ITR: Where you are now musically— your catalog and your brand— did you imagine that four years ago?

Deej: I prayed for it. “Pray I get there.” I’m a manifest-er. I make it happen.

ITR: Do you feel like you are where you need to be?

Deej: For now.

ITR: Where do you want to go?

Deej: The impossible.

ITR: Now, “Unikorn Black” is what brought me here. The song “Peter Pan” is my favorite song on that album.

Deej: Period.

ITR: I noticed you can have songs like “Peter Pan” or “Space$hip” where your singing steals the show. You can also drop bars. How do you go between those moods?

Deej: I just vibe out. I won’t say I’m this talented person, but I am. If I want to rap, then I’m gonna rap. If I want to sing, then I’ll sing.

ITR: How do you classify yourself?

Deej: I’m an artist. I just create art. Some people call me a rapper. Some people call me a R&B singer. I guess I’m both.

ITR: How do you fit in to the culture here in Pittsburgh musically? Do you even care about it?

Deej: I care a lot about it. It’s actually dope. We had an event yesterday with Taylor Gang. I loved it. We’re doing great things. Pittsburgh artists are doing great. I fit in very well. I’m a little different.

ITR: In what ways?

Deej: The work ethic. The creativity. I’m a little different like I said, but we definitely have similarities, like the swag. It’s dope. We’re dope people.

ITR: Yeah, I saw you Tweeted you met Wiz Khalifa for the first time at the TGOD event.

Deej: Yes, and I was drunk as fuck, but it was lovely. He was like, “Oh, hey, Deej.” I’m like, “Oh, what’s up. I’m drunk as hell, but what’s good?”

ITR: [laughs] I say that not for the fact of meeting Wiz, but for the fact that there’s a lot of hip-hop artists with roots in Pittsburgh who are good and who are making moves. Artists from the ‘Burgh sign deals. I’m curious. How does it feel to be part of that community? How do you feel when other artists make it from Pittsburgh when you’re next to do that?

Deej: It gives me hope. If they can do it, I can do it. I’m as good. We all dope. It just makes sense. Everything takes time and I’m just waiting for my time. That’s all.

ITR: Is there a specific artist out there who gave you that inspiration?

Deej: Honestly, I just stayed in my own lane. I’m a very isolated person. I didn’t really know people in Pittsburgh. I finally popped out now, so I never really compared myself to them. Be myself and I’ll be good.

ITR: Where did you go to high school?

Deej: Moon Township and Upper St. Clair.

ITR: Where were you born?

Deej: I’m from the West Side of Pittsburgh.

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ITR: Gotcha. I noticed you’re very colorful. Not just how you dress, but your personality too. Explain your style.

Deej: I was always this colorful person even before I did music. In middle school, I would dress different. I would wear the colorful skinny jeans with the Chuck Taylors. My hair would be different colors. I would say Nicki Minaj. I loved her when I was younger. I wore Chinese Bangs in highlighted colors all the time. I did my own hair. She inspired me. “Super Bass” that was that shit. You know that was that era it was lit swear.

ITR: Yeah, your style is very bubbly. That’s why I picked here at Klavon’s to interview.

Deej: Nice and I love it. That’s why I’m dressed like strawberry ice cream.

ITR: What is your favorite song on “Unikorn Black”?

Deej: I would say “Space$hip” and “Pri$tine.”

ITR: Why those two?

Deej: They sound really pretty. They’re vibe-y. It’s a mood. It’s a couple things. We’ll see in the videos.

ITR: Oh, you’re making music videos for both songs?

Deej: Yes, I’m excited.

ITR: Why do you prefer having money over being famous?

Deej: Because people are terrible. The world isn’t terrible, but the people in it are. People will bring you down so bad. If we get more consistent with love, the world will be better. Fame is not going to be my thing. I’m gonna be ‘over it’ like Summer Walker. Money is okay because I can help other people and expand. Money is kind of important.

ITR: Yeah, it’s important.

Deej: Honestly… I talk my bullshit on Twitter. I do not want my Twitter to be viral. I talk my shit.

ITR: [laughs] That’s why I’m asking some of these questions because I read your Twitter.

Deej: Now I’m going to watch.

ITR: That’s what it’s for though…

Deej: Twitter is for talking shit. People have their moments. People go through things. Just learn how to control emotions. I think you’ll be great once you master that.

ITR: I feel that. My therapist says you have to balance your emotional side with your rational side in order to be the best person you can be.

Deej: Right.

ITR: How important is your mental health to you?

Deej: Very important, that’s why I’m such a spiritual person. I like to meditate. I like to study spiritual things like crystals. I’m really learning it now. Horoscopes too. Mermaids, fairies, aliens, and everything.

ITR: [laughs] That was the perfect description of yourself— mermaids, fairies, aliens— thank you.

So, I was listening to “Good Wood.” I think people are naturally distrusting. When you talk about the female/male dynamic when it comes to love and relationships, females are extra distrusting because some males are dogs. In the chorus of “Good Wood,” I think you’re saying, “Is he a dog or a counterfeit?”

Deej: “Is he a dub or a counterfeit.” Is he a 10/10 or is he fake? Is he really fucking with me or is he fake? Do you want me to sing the hook to you?

ITR: [smirks] Okay, sure.

Deej sings the hook of “Good Wood.”

ITR: You seem genuine and positive. It does suck when people betray you. What advice would you give to younger you or young girls out there to protect themselves in love?

Deej: Just be single and love yourself. I know relationships can teach a person, but trust me be single. Learn to love. Be genuine and open. Be very confident. Take risks. Love could wait. Friendships are important, but love could wait.

I say friendships because people can teach you how to adapt to different environments. They can teach you different traits and how to cope with things. Being isolated is cool and all, but really you need other people around you to learn. Me being a loner I was really weird. I just had to pop out and get to vibe with all the people. I was really shy, but I’m getting better.

ITR: It’s always interesting with entertainers. Like you walked in here fashionably late and all the attention was on you with your pink coat and pink boots to match. You took over the room. I’m like, “Oh, shit. She already is a star.” So, how can you be shy? In a way, your job has become entertaining other people. I feel like entertainers lose parts of themselves that way.

Deej: Honestly, I’m just getting started so we’ll see. Just be pure. Be true to yourself, honestly, that’s really what it is. The universe knows the truth. What you speak and what you live is your truth for sure. If you’re back stabbing and you’re fake, karma is a bitch.

ITR: When you’re making music and you get critique, how do you not take it personally?

Deej: As long as that person knows what they’re doing. You just gotta know what you’re doing and I’ll trust you. It’s all about trust for real.

ITR: What are you working on now?

Deej: Building my content for IG. I’m not an Internet person. I’m still an isolated person, so it’s kind of hard, but I’m getting the hang of it. Plus, I’m a naturally poppin’ person, so it is what it is [laughs]. I’m definitely working on music.

ITR: How do you plan to followup “Unikorn Black”?

Deej: I get better all the time. I have no worries. No worries [laughs]. Either a new project or we’re just going to keep dropping videos. Videos first and then a new project. I feel like “Unikorn Black” needs to be pushed a little more with the videos.

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ITR: I like when artists drop an album then delay the release of the music videos. It keeps the project fresh.

Deej: I agree. At first, I was like, “Damn, we haven’t done shit for these.” But, no. Time tells.

ITR: You let the music breathe first then you give people more.

Deej: Right. Time is always right for sure. Stay tuned. I’m excited.

ITR: All of your videos are well done. The storylines everything.

Deej: I agree. They actually were dope. They’ve gotten better. Michael (Deej’s manager), he helps me bring them to life. I am really blessed to have the people I have in my life. You have to have a great team. Great support. My mom is very helpful. A good environment and good head space, you’ll be good. You just gotta want it. Get up and go.

ITR: Michael and I were talking before you arrived about the difference between all the artists in Pittsburgh and those who are finding success is the team around them. What advice would you give to up and coming artists for their path to make it?

Deej: Stay original. Stay pure. Count your blessings.

[Interview conversation on Nov. 12, 2019]

Opaline - a night of iridescence by Maxwell Young

Opaline is an intersectional program of art, music, and food curated by Briona Butler aka Surrealistma.  It returns February 1.

The inaugural Opaline on December 1, 2018 photographed by Maxwell Young.

The inaugural Opaline on December 1, 2018 photographed by Maxwell Young.

Washington, D.C.—A feeling, or mood if you will, Opaline first manifested on the Instagram pages.  A tumblr-like onslaught of black excellence and beauty, opulence, and iconic hip hop and R&B figures became hard to ignore: Quintessential Kelis—her signature green epitomized in a pair of fierce sunglasses and a subtle ombré.  Tupac and his mother Afeni.  Hyper-sexualized fruits.  Avant-garde fashion.  Iridescent crystals.  Cozy Diddy.  And a young Mos Def freestyling in a New York park all conveyed potent levels of nostalgia.

This sentiment was transmuted at Dwell DC, an artsy, knick-knack-filled clubhouse tucked away in the Northeast quadrant of the District.  Performances by MARTYHEEMCHERRY, Nappy Nappa, Lulu Sunflower, and Pangelica as well as DJs Moses and Greenss buoyed the first monthly events in December and January.  At the last Opaline on New Year’s, I watched Dreamcast and Nappy Nappa run through their collaborative track, “Dolphin Squeek,” a glitchy bop that appears on Dreamcast’s most recent offering, The Lost Tapes vol. 2.  A bowl of black eyed peas and collard greens—a dish supposedly bringing good fortune in 2019 catered by Green from Within—added a savory element to the night while Sir E.U filtered through his library on the turntables.

“It’s important for me to create spaces for us to be together and cool it,” Butler told me over brunch at The Diner in Adams Morgan.  “For me, music is a very spiritual healing tool.”

Butler is no stranger to orchestrating music programming in Washington, D.C., and growing up as a military brat in Southeast and Northeast, D.C. as well a PG County, Maryland, she has a vast experience of what the DMV’s art community can cultivate.  During 2017 and 2016, Butler was integral to the Glow End Theory series presented by CMPVTR CLVB that focused on reinvigorating the divine feminine, featuring artists like Alex Vaughn, Odd Mojo, and DJ Little Bacon Bear.  She noted that the inspiration behind her desire to create intersectional events was derived from Sanaa Fest, a party series founded by D.C.-based artist Yaya Bey in 2015 that provided a tolerant environment to showcase creatives in the DMV and New York. 

Butler reminisced about one of the parties in which Afrovelvet, no foreigner to InTheRough pages, had a fashion show and the iconic female duo Oshun performed.  “I feel like the Sanaa Fest changed the course of my life.  That was a seed that made me want to be off what I’m off.  I have mad respect for Yaya.”

Opaline, however, is solely the brainchild of Butler.  The genesis of the idea came as a way to amplify the voice of her childhood best friend, Babby, who’s angelic crooning has enchanted guests over the first two shows.  The Baltimore-based singer’s impromptu a-cappella  set on New Year’s hushed the entire audience, centering the room in a moment of serenity.

Only two parties underway, “a night of iridescence” as Butler refers to Opaline is still in its infancy, but the optimism around the movement is evident.  Already it has engendered a feeling of comfort with familiar faces returning to engage with the series.  Butler doesn’t see Opaline as just a party, though, rather as a multi-media brand.  Her Opaline mixes on SoundCloud convert the visual aesthetic of the program into a sonic palette while highlighting rising talents in the community.  Greenss’ assistance with the audio mixing in the inaugural set is a nice segue into his own offering of tracks in mix 01.

The third Opaline will be held at The Village Cafe on Friday, February 1 with performances by Bobbi Rush, Nate G, Sir E.U, Naygod, Hoeteps, and Free.GG along with an art installation by Rap Rumi. Stay tuned for the next Opaline mix.

Friday, February 1

The Village Cafe

1272 5th St NE

Washington, D.C. 20002



Mars Jackson on Wax by Alex Young

Mars Jackson with his “Good Days Never Last Forever” vinyl record | Photographs by Alex Young

Mars Jackson with his “Good Days Never Last Forever” vinyl record | Photographs by Alex Young

"It took seven years just to get something like this," Mars Jackson said as he held his forthcoming translucent, orange vinyl record, "Good Days Never Last Forever." He's finally ready to release an official album. 

Currently, Mars and his label, Misra Records, rollout "Good Days Never Last Forever" (GDNLF). He joined Misra in 2016 as their first-ever hip-hop signee. The first single, "Heart Dance," from the album gained traction in Australia first as a credit to Misra's distribution methods. To end January 2018, the single hit all streaming platforms and the rapper premiered its music video at the "Down & Derby" skate party. A Yung Mulatto illustration covers the "Heart Dance" song art.

"A label believed in me every step of the way. There weren't any nos. I learned how to expand myself as an artist during this," Mars said. "I don't like being put in a box. I make good music. It's wonderful to be a fan of all genres."

Mars said GDNLF is "complete to show what kind of artist I am and just not one dimensional." Mars played the album for InTheRough in the comfort of his apartment back in September 2017. The lyrics encourage with lines like "we can live forever." The project is dreamy while acknowledging realistic aspects of life in the album title. 

During the album's recording, he wasn't "looking for a sound. We were having fun." Confident vocals show how Mars was "not being scared to use my voice," he said. Cool references throughout GDNLF like "JR Smith with my shirt off" or "That's So Raven" keep the tone uplifting. Instrumentation shines. "Good Days Never Last Forever" releases this summer.

This was different for me like this whole process. Doing mixtapes and just throwing songs out there compared to actually telling yourself you can sell music it’s totally different. You have to go through some things first before you even have the cojones to say, ‘Yeah, you’re going to buy my music.’
Photograph by Jordan Armstrong

Photograph by Jordan Armstrong

A lot of outside input and feedback went into "Good Days Never Last Forever" and it relies on a local Pittsburgh cast's support. "Nice [Rec] took me under his wing and trusted me over his production," Mars said. The producer Nice Rec has "worked with the best" and has credits on albums like Wiz Khalifa's "O.N.I.F.C.," along with executive production on Mars' "Good Days Never Last Forever." Musician Benji "kills" his feature on the song called "Simple" on the album, and rapper Choo Jackson also features on the record. "Keep it local. If it's local, it means a lot," Mars said.

To that end, Ryan Brown of lifestyle label farESH Brand creative directed the project. "He saw the vision," Mars said of Brown. Additionally, graphic artists and photographers Brian of Frequently Fly, Generic Pieces, Keep Pittsburgh Dope, and Paizley helped create the album cover and insert booklet. "Pittsburgh everything," Mars called it.

"Anything that happens in Pittsburgh I see. I'm just a fly on the wall," Mars said. The 31-year-old New York born and Pittsburgh raised resident has been in the rap game for a while and a key part of Pittsburgh's creative scene. He told a story about Daily Bread clothiers utilizing Mac Miller and A$AP mob during their 2009 rise for brand promo, and then sitting in watching the filming of a Hardo and Jimmy Wopo rap video years later. "They were trap'd out."

In the inner city, we make stuff pop and then you get bigger companies who look to see what’s going on in the scene and use some of the blueprints.

Although don Mars still views himself as a "local artist" and people still "see me as their peer," he said. Overall, "it's always good to give people the love tap," explaining his encouragement for Steel City residents.

Mars will join local talents Benji and singer Sierra Sellers for a performance on Feb. 16 at the Club Cafe venue. Get tickets for the 10:20 p.m. show here. Also, Mars needs a tour DJ for shows like his April date in New Jersey. Email him at knowmarsinfo@gmail.com if you have interest and qualifications.

Before Mars releases "Good Days Never Last Forever," he wants people to know that "they've never heard me like this."

Club Cafe

54 S 12th Street

Pittsburgh, PA 15203

*UPDATE* Enjoy Mars Jackson's "Good Days Never Last Forever"

Watch This Cool Skateboarding Video Part by Rage Club by Alex Young

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"Welcome to the Club" by Cleveland based clothing company Rage Club at its core is an entertaining video with parts of skateboarding. It's much more though because the skaters' antics and dedication to hitting tricks, paired with the crazy tracklist that DJ TOPGUN lined up is hype. The footage by Thomas Netkowicz shows the Club skaters in California, Ohio, and Pennsylvania skating city-scape terrain.

Authentic youth and skate culture stack up here. The kids aren't wearing Thrasher Magazine shirts for nothing. Zay Jones tries to jump a 21-step staircase six times. He keeps injuring himself and keeps going, "legendary." There's crazy, painful looking fails throughout "Welcome to the Club," but credit the degree of tricks. Everything is tight when the beats drop and skaters like Cris Lesh, Kevin Perez, Jalen Willis, and more land tricks. TOPGUN, the creator of Rage Club, features in the part along with pieces of Club clothing, such as a long-sleeve, hat, and "FDT" shirt.

Photo by @_philms

Photo by @_philms

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Additionally, the entire project has relevance in Pittsburgh because the video has parts filmed in the city and it debuted at One Up Skate Shop on East Carson Street last Saturday, Nov. 4, and DJ TOPGUN is active in the 'Burgh's hip-hop scene. He's brought Cleveland artists, like Shawn K, to rock out here in the 412. Rapper Choo Jackson attended the "Welcome to the Club" debut.

Watch and follow the Club. Tracklist at 16:03.