Celine Caruso DixonSOCIAL: Just as Recess was an unforgettable show, “The Recess,” a concert featuring various local hip-hop artists, was a truly unforgettable evening.
What: The Recess concert
When: February 21, 2019
Where: London Villas Hub (18+)
Tickets: $10 purchasable at the door
To many, Recess was a fun, wholesome show we watched as kids. The Edmonton hip-hop concert “The Recess” was decidedly different but just as worthwhile, featuring amazing performances from a wide range of artists, pricey drinks, and large groups of people smoking joints outside.
I walked in at 8:30 p.m. and was warmly greeted by one of the many performers I came to see, Ntwali. The venue was spacious, with pink and blue hues illuminating the stage area as balloons hung overhead. Coat check, which I didn’t bother with, was to the right of the door, while a mock bar was set up to the left serving a small selection of beers and hard liquor.
As the venue began to fill, I could feel the excitement and anticipation for the performers everyone came to see. King Kontoh started the night off; his bouncy personality resonated with his music as he rapped and danced on stage. Viiberson’s performance was next. His energy was powerful as he rapped onstage, hyping us up before jumping into the crowd.
Next up was Tobias, a local rapper better known under the name TobiastheHomie. Many friends and fans pushed to the stage as he began to rap and sing. A guest appearance from Cab’Ral, your local vampire (a name he likes to call himself), made the evening even more special, and the two sang together to truly bring sad boi feelings to the crowd.
Saphirah came up next. A name you will be hearing quite often if you follow the Edmonton music scene, Saphirah took the stage by storm. Her voice soothing and powerful at the same time, she captivated the entire audience.
OG Jonah has been on the music scene for a while; however, his performance at “The Recess” still made the whole room vibrate and pulse with excitement. His rapping, mixed with the audience shouting his lyrics, brought an electric feel to the venue — one that prepared us for the finale.
Ntwali is more than just a local rapper — he is someone who brings people together with his music. His unparalleled excitement drove the crowd crazy, with everyone shouting the lyrics to his songs. The crowd was jumping from side to side and people were dancing in the midst of it all. Coming down to join the crowd, Ntwali jumped with everyone else and eventually began to crowd-surf. It was definitely a moment everyone in attendance wanted to be a part of.
Through and through, this event was well-structured with the wide array of performers. The energy only escalated throughout the night as the performances went on. Just as Recess was an unforgettable show, “The Recess” was a truly unforgettable evening.
