Tallahassee's Hip Hop Celebrated at the Annex

By Trevor Durham on January 23, 2017

The tucked away annex of 621 Railroad Ave., Dr. Lisa Weinberg hosts a cavalcade of performances that evoke the history and roots of hip hop all the way through today’s modern lyricists. January’s night of Hip Hop at 621 was a setlist celebrating the best Tallahassee’s hip hop scene has to offer. The intimate space bustled with creative potential as each performer hosted a new energy to the white walled interior, the community sensation an undeniable pull. Whether your first or fiftieth evening with Dr. Weinberg’s crowd, this night was further proof of what ability is stored within the confines of Capital Circle.

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Backpack Beatz, photo by Owen Enzor

Dr. Lisa Weinberg had her weekly hip hop showcases featured last fall, hosted at Garages on Gaines St., and made headlines in USA Today in 2013 for her Sociology through Hip Hop course. Integrating herself in the local hip hop community has long been a goal of hers, and she continues to advance Tallahassee’s music scene through her support and promotion of local DJs, MCs, and music acts.

This showcase featured an interesting line-up, all presided over by Backpack Beats, including performers Ro-thoro, Gaea LaBelle, Artisan P, and Rogue Disciples, before a planned open cypher.

Backpack Beatz, an inventive DJ (who I’m told produces for an endless list of hip hop artists), samples an eclectic set of samples to create a strong sound that matched an artist who performed against him. With Ro-thoro, he sounded old school Def Jam, although Artisan P’s set felt like an early J. Cole mixtape.

The performance of the night came from Gaea LaBelle, walking to the microphone with a subtle yellow flower resting above her hair, but wearing it as a golden crown. As she seamlessly moved through her set, tearing bars out across her audience, she dropped quick quips and smart one-liners that quickly filled the annex with her performance. Her set cut off after only 5 tracks, but Gaea LaBelle left an unforgettable impression.

Each artist was strong, and none faltered for their performative talents. Ro-thoro is a classic performer, whose nonstop flow was impossible not to bump with. Rogue Disciples were an inventive and engaging duo featuring an electric guitar complimenting the stylings of Delance Burnside. The entire night was a collaborative event that Dr. Weinberg gifted us as a beautiful, illustrious picture of everything hip-hop was, is, and will continue to be.

You can find information on following each artist below.

Dr. Weinberg promises a spring full of hip hop. She’s organizing more events at the Garage, along with being a board member of 621. She hopes to involve new artists and bring new audiences. Students and Tallahassee natives alike should do their best to follow this growing movement of music, for some of these artists are sure to blow up in the future.

Artist info:

Backpack Beatz

Ro-Thoro

Gaea LaBelle

Artisan P.

Rogue Disciples 

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