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

May 7, 2018 by
Bushwick Public House

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.

SunnStarr 13

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.” 

Jsosa and Malave

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.