Rapper OG Maco delivers turbulent performance at Tempt Murfreesboro

By Sterling Scott

MTSU Raider Shakedown Reporter

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Superstar rapper OG Maco had the crowd jumping with excitement when he performed his hit song “U Guessed It” on April 9 at Tempt nightclub, 211 W Main St. in Murfreesboro.

Originally from Atlanta, OG Maco has been making big moves in the hip-hop industry with his aggressive vocal style. His song “U Guessed It” was one of the hottest songs of 2014 and peaked at 90 on the Billboard top 100.

The short, high-energy performance occurred at around 2 a.m. and was part of OG Maco’s American tour with the DJ duo known as “TWRK”.

Attendees were disgruntled when TWRK openly insulted the sound engineer over the microphone after struggling to play their set, which led to a majority of the clubbers boycotting the dance floor until OG Maco showed his face. Although OG Maco only played three songs, he was certainly the highlight of the night. The performance had the crowd going so crazy that some were even spotted dancing on top of the bar across from the stage.

“You just gotta hit it fast, man,” OG Maco said after he got back to VIP and began talking about his experiences on his “Lord of Rage” tour that ended this February. “I think the craziest show that I ever played was in Portugal. The people knew the words to every one of my songs, and most of them didn’t even speak English. After this show, I’m going on vacation in Atlanta, but I’m coming out with an album this December.”

Photo by Muck Fogley (muckfogley@gmail.com)

Local rapper Illuminate was also on the bill. He performed his new “Polymath” EP in front of a lively crowd. Other acts included Schmuck the Loyal and Cronundrum, who both delivered powerful DJ sets before TWRK took the stage.

            “I think it’s dope that there are so many people that not only want to support popular music, but support local artists as well,” Cronundrum said, commenting on the frenzied crowd that welcomed him when he started his performance. “Really gives me hope for the music industry.”

            Even after OG Maco’s performance was over, the club was packed until closing at 3 a.m. Sunday. Fans leaving the venue were already joyously discussing their excitement for the next headliner at Tempt.

            For more information about Tempt Murfreesboro, contact them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/temptmurfreesboro

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Chance the Rapper Returns to Nashville with Headlining Tour

By Eryka Hammonds

NASHVILLE, Tenn.--- Chance the Rapper performed for a sold-out crowd on Nov. 26 at The Cannery Ballroom in Nashville as part of his first headlining show, “The Social Experiment Tour”.

Chance the Rapper is an independent Hip-Hop artist from Chicago who recently rose to fame following the release of his second mixtape “Acid Rap” in April. He has toured with artists such as Mac Miller, Childish Gambino and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis. Chance has recently appeared on the cover of Dazed and Confused Magazine as well as Complex Magazine. The success of his mixtape led to Chance embarking on his first headlining tour.

Chance first came to Nashville in July as part of Mac Miller’s “Space Migration Tour” performance at Marathon Music Works. This performance at The Cannery Ballroom is the 20-year-old artist’s second time performing in the city.

The “Social Experiment Tour” is an energizing show that had the crowd fighting to get to the front of the stage. DJ Rashad and DJ Spinn, also Chicago natives, were featured as opening acts.

Also featured in the show was trumpeter Nico Segal. Segal has recently toured with Grammy-Award-winning artist Frank Ocean and released his own project “Donnie Trumpet”, which features a collaboration with Chance the Rapper.

Peter Cottontale, who produced some of the songs on “Acid Rap,” also supported Chance during the performance as his keyboardist.

It was announced by The Cannery Ballroom through twitter that more than 100 tickets were still available for the show at 8:50 a.m. Nov. 26. Tickets sold out hours later.

Doors opened at 7:15 p.m. for the 8 o’clock show. Fans had no problem waiting in the cold to secure their spot in the line that had wrapped around the venue by 6:30 p.m.

During the show, Chance performed many crowd favorites from his “Acid Rap” mixtape, including “Juice”, “Pusha Man”, “Cocoa Butter Kisses”, and “Everybody’s Something.” He also previewed some new material for the sold-out crowd.    

“The concert overall was something that couldn’t be put in words,” said 19-year-old Alexis Morrison from Nashville. “It was such an energetic, mind-blowing experience. I swear Chance gets better every time I see him.”

The successful show left fans wanting more. Chance the Rapper performed a four-song encore before ending the concert. After the event, fans waited outside of the venue until 1 a.m. Wednesday to take pictures and get autographs from the young star.

“Can't believe 1,100 people in Nashville came out and rocked a […] sold out house with me tonight- so much love,” Chance posted on Facebook after his performance.

For more information on Chance the Rapper or “The Social Experiment Tour”, you can go to www.chanceraps.com.

For more information on The Cannery Ballroom venue, you can go to www.thecanneryballroom.com.

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