Jamahl Ryder Defy Reality Album Launch Party
Jamahl Ryder is a proud Indigenous man of many talents, from acting to rapping, to hosting his own radio show on Noongar Radio with his mate called The Naughty Bros. At the Four5Nine Bar on Saturday 15th June, Jamahl showed not only his skill but also his love of Hip Hop, with his album launch party for Defy Reality.
Walking towards the Four5Nine bar, Jamahl was at the door greeting everyone in the line. After saying hello to him I walked down the stairs and into the venue. Although it was a smaller venue, it was the perfect size for the number of people who were about to arrive.
Once it hit 9:00 pm the host of the evening Optamus from Downsyde was up on stage welcoming everyone and introducing the first act.
Selekt Few was the first on stage and opened with recognition to the Aboriginal elders past, present and future. They were quick to hype up the crowd, ready for the next performers to step on stage.
The next act Tha Strangerz were ready to rumble. The two brothers were comfortable up on stage with a pumped act , honouring the older style Hip Hop with their boom-bap beats.
After a small break, the beats were flowing until Optamus brought up the third act, Trooth. Although he was feeling under the weather Trooth pushed through like a champ, even jumping off stage and interacting with the crowd by getting them to hold an item in the air and including their items in his freestyle. Vanessa Hopes was next up and she had the whole room in awe with her voice.
After another short interval, Flewnt made his appearance with a fire performance that pushed most of the audience to the dance floor. Kya Kyana, his latest single, was a major hit with the crowd. It’s no wonder why Flewnt has been nominated in two categories in the 2019 WAM Awards.
Walking towards the Four5Nine bar, Jamahl was at the door greeting everyone in the line. After saying hello to him I walked down the stairs and into the venue. Although it was a smaller venue, it was the perfect size for the number of people who were about to arrive.
Once it hit 9:00 pm the host of the evening Optamus from Downsyde was up on stage welcoming everyone and introducing the first act.
Selekt Few was the first on stage and opened with recognition to the Aboriginal elders past, present and future. They were quick to hype up the crowd, ready for the next performers to step on stage.
The next act Tha Strangerz were ready to rumble. The two brothers were comfortable up on stage with a pumped act , honouring the older style Hip Hop with their boom-bap beats.
After a small break, the beats were flowing until Optamus brought up the third act, Trooth. Although he was feeling under the weather Trooth pushed through like a champ, even jumping off stage and interacting with the crowd by getting them to hold an item in the air and including their items in his freestyle. Vanessa Hopes was next up and she had the whole room in awe with her voice.
After another short interval, Flewnt made his appearance with a fire performance that pushed most of the audience to the dance floor. Kya Kyana, his latest single, was a major hit with the crowd. It’s no wonder why Flewnt has been nominated in two categories in the 2019 WAM Awards.
Optamus stood on the stage one last time finally introducing the man of the evening, Jamahl Ryder, and then the whole room flooded to the front of the stage. Although the stage itself was smaller than most stages, Jamahl kept it moving and owned it. Songs like Born Guilty, Defy Reality and Throw Em Up had people throwing their hands up with the neck breaker beats.
Another song that stood out for me was Go All Out which features Stevie-Leigh, whom was not there on the night but was still mentioned. Though, it would have been great to have seen her up on stage with Jamahl.
Jamahl invited Vanessa Hopes back up on stage and the duo sung Lil Mama. The song cut out half way through but it did not stop Jamahl from getting on with the show. Before finishing the show with the crowd shouting out his name, and shout outs to local producer Dardyazz, Optamus and those who had a part in putting his album together. And of course a quick selfie with the crowd!
There were a few issues with the sound-man and mic control for some of the supporting acts but everything was all well once it was sorted. Jamahl was nervous throughout the night before his set but you would have never noticed seeing him up there and doing his thing.
Big ups to Jamahl on his album launch.
Overall the whole night was awesome and had people wishing it wouldn't end. Hearing comments as I walked out such as “Man I feel like banging some old school Hip Hop after that” and “I might have to look him up on Spotify for the ride home”, really tells you that it was a successful launch.
By Melissa De Silva
Support our WA artists by following them on Facebook, see links below:
Jamahl Ryder
Vanessa Hopes
The Strangerz
Flewnt
Selekt Few
Trooth
Another song that stood out for me was Go All Out which features Stevie-Leigh, whom was not there on the night but was still mentioned. Though, it would have been great to have seen her up on stage with Jamahl.
Jamahl invited Vanessa Hopes back up on stage and the duo sung Lil Mama. The song cut out half way through but it did not stop Jamahl from getting on with the show. Before finishing the show with the crowd shouting out his name, and shout outs to local producer Dardyazz, Optamus and those who had a part in putting his album together. And of course a quick selfie with the crowd!
There were a few issues with the sound-man and mic control for some of the supporting acts but everything was all well once it was sorted. Jamahl was nervous throughout the night before his set but you would have never noticed seeing him up there and doing his thing.
Big ups to Jamahl on his album launch.
Overall the whole night was awesome and had people wishing it wouldn't end. Hearing comments as I walked out such as “Man I feel like banging some old school Hip Hop after that” and “I might have to look him up on Spotify for the ride home”, really tells you that it was a successful launch.
By Melissa De Silva
Support our WA artists by following them on Facebook, see links below:
Jamahl Ryder
Vanessa Hopes
The Strangerz
Flewnt
Selekt Few
Trooth