Friday the 13th: Juicef Stalin at the Red Square

If you didn't make it out to the Red Square Lounge on Friday night, you really missed out. It was one of the better shows I've been to in recent memory. The place was crowded and had a real good vibe, and everyone had a great time.

Click below for the full rundown.


Right past the bar-area was the artist's table, where I spent much of the time that night (you may have seen me, black shirt, cap, specs - say whatup if you see me out!). The ones displaying their work were graffiti artists Okae and Colts, and I managed to sneak in a couple mini-canvases myself. Every piece on the tables and on the walls were crazy, and ten dollars was the going price for even the most intricate of works. We spent some time passing around sketchbooks,exchanging ideas and making sales.

Also in attendance were artist Vincent Tacco, who we've interviewed previously, and award-winning fashion designer Katie Pray (thanks for the sale, we've got to trade in the future!), with whom we're going to conduct an interview with and possibly collaborate artistically in the near future. We'll keep you posted as that develops.

The musical acts on the bill were DJ Truemaster, a band called Phantogram, and rappers Emcee Graffiti and underground icon J-live. Truemaster handled his business on the 1's and 2's, keeping the crowdamped and moving between each set. Emcee Graffiti got busy on the mic and got things even liver when he brought out his groupmates Sapient and Unsound mind and killed some collab tracks, including a hilarious mock-battle called "Graf vs Sap." The crowd didn't miss a beat when the band Phantogram hit the stage and rocked the crowd in their own way. When J-Live finally hit the stage, the venue blew up. Everybody crowded near the near the front, and he had them eating out of the palm of his hand, truly the master of ceremonies. He even showed himself to be doubly talented, by stepping behind the wheels of steel and getting busy with his hands while still spitting. Also during J-live's set, he brought Oddy Gato back out and they rocked a song together. Live ended the set with a freestyle and shououts.

After the show, J-live was cool enough to step away from a horde of fans to grant me an interview (keep your eyes peeled for local artist lurking in the background). Look out for that to pop up in the next day or so.