Artists spit rhymes at Catskeller

Musical talent at the University of Cincinnati is not in short supply. This was proven during a two-hour show at the Catskeller last Thursday, located at the bottom level of Tangeman University Center.

Avator (pronounced aviator) Hughes opened the show with his best attempt to get everyone excited for the upcoming performances. His first several songs were at best lackluster, but he stepped his game up with his last three songs, “Mr. Nice Guy,” “For You” and his best song of the night “Changes.” The crowd gave him some love for his performance but I believe he deserved a little more. Avator then brought up a friend of his, another local artist named Devonte, who sang one song and exited the stage.

The next artist to take the stage, and easily the best of the night, was Buggs the Rocka who has been underground for three years. Buggs had excellent stage presence and he excels with his lyrics. He incorporates a lot of video game terminology into his rhymes and he does it well. He truly shined when he went off beat with his rhymes as well as when he improvised. Less than halfway into his show there was a female latecomer and Buggs told the DJ to cut the music and called her up to stand right in front of the stage. He told her that just because she came late he had to embarrass her, but he performed a very sweet song for her that could have very well been off the top of his head.

What really got the crowd involved was when Buggs called up his friend Archman from his band Gold Shoes. Archman, an acoustic guitar player and vocalist, and Buggs began with “Get out of This Tonight,” which the crowd loved. The combination of acoustic guitar and Archman’s voice, with Buggs’s lyrics, was the most interesting and pleasing performance. The last song that the duo performed was named “Get Away,” and it had a very complex and original beat, with Archman providing the vocals, Buggs showcased what I thought were his most inspired lyrics of the night for their best overall song.

The last performer of the night was from the headliner, Wally Vega, a  UC student.

He got his start when he began writing poetry at age 14. His first few songs used beats from several major artists including Kanye West and Jay-Z. Vega said West is one of his major influences. Despite using unoriginal beats, his lyrics were magnificent.

Wally definitely aimed to please, and for the lucky crowd, he hit his target. His most poignant song of the night was “Why,” about a death in his family and not knowing his father. You could literally sense the
emotion pouring out of him as he performed.

At the end of the show Vega said his performance was the first he had done. Had he not said it, the crowd probably wouldn’t have known. If you get the chance to check any one of these artists out, take it.