Lex On Decks Showcases Rising Stars of Hip-Hop in Bushwick

May 7, 2018 by Ray Fontaine

Bushwick Public House / photo by Ray Fontaine

On April 28, 2018, Lex On Decks, a Brooklyn based record label, threw a basement party at Bushwick Public House to showcase up-and-coming hip-hop artists SunnStarr13, J. Sosa, and Matthew Malave.

SunnStarr13 Performs / photo by Ray Fontaine

At first glance, the venue appeared to be an art-filled, mellow bar, but downstairs a darkly lit basement was filled with red string lights, silk vines, and classic beats to create an intimate vibe of friends, family, and hip-hop lovers. Dj 3G backed up all of the artists throughout the night and kept guests entertained between sets. Special guests the Brady Brothers warmed up the audience with the sax and keys and joined the acts throughout the evening as well.

The fashion-forward Sunnstarr13 opened the evening with lively, uplifting raps followed by the much darker rhymes of J. Sosa. Parental Advisory! J Sosa’s rap contained a lot of adult content. His aggressive rap flow highlighted stories of love, heartbreak, and a challenging childhood, often made lighter by incorporating humor with clever word play. With a flow reminiscent of ’90s New York rap originals like Immortal Technique, J Sosa represents classic East Coast sound with no hooks and no “pop.”

J, Sosa and Matthew Malave / photo by Ray Fontaine

Performing alongside a full band, Matthew Malave closed out the show with a mix of rap and R&B. His set was full of laughter and smooth grooves. His bittersweet falsetto was akin to the likes of Mario, Marques Houston, and Chris Brown. Lex On Decks himself jumped on the drums to play “Never Know” and J Sosa joined the stage for “Hustle Hard.” Overall, the basement party was a fun, communal environment, serving Bushwick fresh beats and heartfelt songs.

Artists on our Radar

Ricky Stein: Texas Roots in Brooklyn

Ricky Stein/ photo courtesy of the artist

If you’re looking for music inspired by New York City with a Texan flare, look no further than Ricky Stein, a Brooklyn-based artist originally from Austin, Texas. Stein is a singer-songwriter whose music is grounded by a combination of his upbringing in Texas and his present life in the bustling streets of New York City and Downtown Brooklyn. Stein has an impressive discography of singles and albums, and since moving to New York City in August 2016, he has released a full album, “Long Summer” and many singles. Stein’s music is best defined as Americana and roots, with folk-infused acoustic and electric guitars, and his lyrics paint vivid images of nature and life. The listener feels connected to Stein, as his musical stylings resemble talent from the likes of John Prine and Bonnie Raitt. His most recent single, “Passenger,” highlights Stein’s talents with a strong harmonica section. The song’s instrumentation and structure is built on one verse, which compliments the song’s message about the uncertainty and ominousness of being a passenger on a long journey. Another standout, “Street Lights,” is a lighthearted commentary on the comfort of hope, the street lights representing persistent light even in the dead of night. Stein’s live performances are carefully tailored, his sets performed at local venues in Brooklyn like Pete’s Candy Store and many other venues known to support live roots and country music. His talents are always showcased, whether performing a solo show with a guitar and harmonica or being supported by a full band. Stein’s upcoming months are packed with performances at many venues, including Saturday, January 11th at Skinny Dennis Bar in Williamsburg and Friday, March 7th at Sunny’s Bar in Red Hook. You won’t want to miss it!

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