Game Rebellion @ 92Y Tribeca

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Monday, 22 February 2010 16:58

Where else would you go to find girls dancing on stage, energetic fans engaging in mosh pit antics, and photographers throwing down cameras to join the party they were shooting? Nowhere but a Game Rebellion concert, that’s where. If you want a show, the band has too many up their sleeves to hand out to you. They’re too ready.

Though the scheduled 9:30 p.m. show did not kick off until about 25 minutes after, it was well worth the wait. A crowd of over 70 people gradually strolled into the lounge-like atmosphere, but each artist who performed had the energy for a coliseum filled arena. Emilo Rojas opened up the show giving the audience about five tracks to nod to. After performing two songs, the crowd began to slowly rise, but the biggest number got on their feet when Rojas rapped “Runway.” It was definitely a solid song with some skillful bars and the people responded well. The Brooklyn native closed out his act with “Bold and Arrogant,” off The Natural mixtape presented by DJ Green Lantern. Besides a dim setting in contrast to an anticipated live crowd and a few haphazard song switches, the act went smoothly.

EMILIO ROJAS

Donny Goines followed up Rojas with a more rugged New York approach. He brought the essence of hardcore rap to the stage along with him. The people got a bit more involved and after performing new songs off the 20X EP, nothing but raw talent was exuded from the emcee. In a brief moment in between songs, Goines made his intentions Visine clear when he said, “I love to rap. If ya’ll fuckin’ with it, I ain’t gonna stop.” He also pointed out on stage that he disagrees with Atlanta rapper Waka Flocka about his comment on lyrics not being important. Overall, Goines utilized the microphone to perfection and won the people over as he made the stage (and the chair he stood on in the middle of the club) his new home.

DONNY GOINES

As the only artist with a hype man, Esso brought a new definition to what it means to be hype. He was honestly his own show. The people in the audience could have not been there and he would have done the same exact act. He came out to the “Uptown” instrumental that was featured off of Drake’s So Far Gone mixtape, but I have to say Esso’s rendition of the song was truly impressive. Among the other titles he performed were “London Bloke” and “Young and Ignorant.” Words cannot express how nuts Esso’s hype man was nor could they describe the insurmountable amount of liveliness this kid had. Jumping off the stage numerous times into the crowd is only a sample of what Esso has to offer. He did a good job.

ESSO

And then there was Game Rebellion, the final act. The best way that I can describe them … motherfucking chest pounding. The group performed an amount of songs that allowed the audience to walk away satisfied and they gave their absolute all for each song. It was just a damn party on stage and something you wanted to be a part of. I got beer spilt on me while obvious fans were getting a little buck to the soundtrack of Game Rebellion and I could have cared less. I enjoyed myself.

Even when there were technical difficulties with some of the drummer’s equipment, Netic, the lead vocalist of the band, presented us with an amazing spoken word piece. All five members of the band conveyed an aura and it was sucking every listener in like a black hole. As Game Rebellion performed their song “Dance Girl,” girls left and right began to dance on stage with them. And they did nothing else but rock out. Yohimbe, lead guitarist, was unbelievable. He allowed the fans to interact. While one of the females was on stage, dancing, having a good time, Yohimbe wrapped his guitar around the girl and played it, holding her close. Another time, he went to the edge of the stage and gave people in the crowd the chance to pluck a few strings while in the middle of song. If you thought the Hanging Garden of Babylon was a wonder to see, Yohimbe is a close second as he hung off the stage, playing every lick to par.

The band flew the scene for two minutes after a vast variety of songs and already the audience was looking for an encore. They gave it to us. Shirts off and all, the show closed at 12:20 a.m. and Game Rebellion put a staple in good music that night and made a novice journalist a fan. Thank you.

GAME REBELLION

Words by Lamont Sappleton

Photos by Peter Verry