ROX-TV hits the street to cover the 13th Annual 420 “SMOKE A HOLICS” Show

Welcome back to ROX-TV for our latest coverage on the 13th Annual 420 “SMOKE A HOLICS” show that went down last night in Warren Michigan. I was excited to be hitting a live show, after a year filled mostly with lockdowns and bullshit. When I left the house, I knew that it was going to be a good night. The air was chilly and the skies were slowly turning grey. It was cloudy by the time I was rolling down Hoover. I got to the venue a little before six, when the doors officially opened.

I knew I was in the right place when I stepped out of my car and into a parking lot full of fog. It was the man made kind, produced by some serious blunt smoking action. This was not a night of small time joints, oh no….this was fucking blunt world. Before heading in, I met up with ROX-TV’s captain, the homie Bob. We chilled out in the ride for a bit, taking it all in. The parking lot started to fill up and the scene came alive, with dope artists all over the place.

Before heading to the door, I ran into my homeboy DJ Dankish and chopped it up for a bit. He was set to spin all night long and was just getting set up. We also ran into Tre LB from the Chop Shop, BAKE LO, and the homie Rookz. The excitement of the night was building and I could tell that people were happy to be back out doing what they do best. The artists were getting a chance to get back on the stage and the fans were getting a chance to get stoned out of their minds and enjoy some good music.

The doors officially opened at 6pm and we made our way inside. After getting our wristbands and sifting through the smoke, it was finally happening. After a year of fucking lockdowns, I was officially out on the town. The air inside Hot Rocks was a combination of good smelling food, drinks, and residual chronic smoke….my kind of place. I made my way up to the front of the stage and caught the sounds of DJ Dankish getting warmed up on the wheels. The bass started bumping, Dankish let off a little scratch action and everything started to fall into place.

The lighting was just right and the music started to fill the room. It felt good to be on the scene and even better to be hearing the sounds. I was able to speak with Rookz for a minute before his set started. He was all about it, ready to perform for a live audience after nothing really going on because of the pandemic. I enjoyed talking with him and then the show took off. I spoke to Rookz after the event and he had this to say: “The SmokeAHolic show was off the chain. Medikal Recordz know how to throw a banger, much respect and love to Wiley Doe and all the artists”.

Bob and I took to the crowd to get shots for ROX-TV and maneuver for better angles. Between the pumping music, the lyrical drops by the artists, and the lights….I was in a good place. You never really know what you miss about things until they are taken away or lost. Nothing can replace the “live” event and I’m afraid the younger generations coming up are missing a lot more than they know, living life solely through the “online events”. I hate to say this, but I don’t really care for or about an online concert. What the fuck do I do with that really? If I wanted to hear the songs, I could just go on YouTube and catch the best version caught on tape. We need more “live” events and all the time. If we don’t put it down correct, the younger kids will be lost.

The music is cool, digital or physical, but the name of the game is “real life”. When I was coming up in the nineties, we saved the flyers, went to the meet and greets, and collected the music. But the end game was always about going to the show and hearing our heroes in the real. We must fight to keep the scene alive, or risk losing everything at some point.

LA PURP was part of the lineup and took to the stage to perform her set. The crowd was excited and the sound was cool. The lighting inside was just right, adding to the overall experience. I will say this, the marijuana advocates were in full force, and the good vibes were radiating off audience and creating a buzzing atmosphere that meshed perfectly with the visuals.

I asked what LA PURP thought about the show later on and she said that she “had a great time” performing at the event.

As with any good show, I eventually lost track of time and space. I don’t know if its the trance of the music and everything that goes along with the environment, but I just entered my own head space and let my mind take it all in. Sometimes when that happens, I switch over to an auto-pilot operation and just enjoy life and flashes before my eyes.

I figured it was a good time to check out the merch tables and get comfortable with my surroundings. I like to take in all aspects of a scene when I’m out and about in the real world. This includes everything from the edges of the parking lot, the mini-circles of conversation that spontaneously happen at events, and even digging on the venue itself. Hot Rocks has a nice set up, with a spread out inside that offers a little relaxation and shelter from the storm towards the front, with an easy to use bar and booths for kicking it in. There was a midsection, with some beer pong action, and more tables with some merch out for sale. And then there was a comfortable main floor near the stage for mobbing around. It was my first time in the joint and it felt like an old friend.

As a writer I have to be comfortable in order to ingest a scene and I was. The security guys were even cool and didn’t fuck with me as I passed in between the parking lot, hang out area, and the inside of the venue. Some places can be dicks about that kind of shit. But the Hot Rocks people were very laid back and made my night even better. It’s the kind of place I would go, even if there wasn’t a show.

I “clocked back in” and headed to the VIP area located down a dark hallway behind the stage. It’s the place that artists can go and gather themselves for the stage, or just to catch up with homies from the industry. I headed to the back with Bob, and we fell in to kick it with Ant G, the Hive Studios squad who was rolling deep, Tre LB and a few others. In the course of our official duties, we got some footage for ROX-TV, and then just cut it up with the artists. Ant G talked about his music, the show, and upcoming events in the near future.

Tre LB and the Chop Shop were in the house and they had a busy night ahead of them. Not only were they playing the Medikal Recordz 420 show, they were also slated for double duty, and when their set was over they had to run, literally. They were slotted to do another show in Indiana at Carl’s Tavern and needed to bounce after they did their thing at Hot Rocks. Talk about dedication to the business and the craft. Some people set and watch life drift on past, while others are busy grinding that shit out. Chop Shop is coming hard and correct. No down time for these cats.

After a few more words and rapping about the “goings on” in the scene, it was back out to catch more of the show. The Chop Shop hit the stage with everything they had, and gave the fans a high energy performance. Just like with LA PURP’s set, the lighting was dope and really added to the experience. Tre LB was dropping fire, while DJ Dankish provided the music.

It was my first time catching Tre LB and Big Sneak live. Up until then, I’ve only been able to dig the tunes from physical copies. The Chop Shop engaged the crowd and delivered song after song of quality material.

During the set, Tre LB wandered over to the wheels where DJ Dankish was posted up and the two of them got busy on a track. Tre rapped while making beats, along with Dankish adding his own flavor. It was live and really fresh to see.

 

The set eventually rapped up and the Chop Shop was gone quicker than a nitrous oxide high, but they had come to rock the house, and that mission had been accomplished. I had a few minutes to shift into down gear and found myself back outside, kicking it in the parking lot and meeting new people. Just being in public again, under normal circumstances felt so nice. I have my own thoughts on the lockdowns, but that is not for here, so I will leave it alone.

Before long Ant G and his squad took to the stage and the good times started all over. I’ve never seen this guy perform live before, but I was really impressed by his stage performance, interaction with the crowd, and the the delivery of his music. This guy has it going on and just like with Chop Shop, I expect nothing but good things in their near future.

The crowd was as high as ever and everything really clicked well together. Every song was delivered like it was his last performance and that is the mark of success, now or later, that shit is all waiting for this dude. Don’t miss the boat, go out and check this guy’s music out.

The crowd was offering Ant G some smoke during the songs and this guy took it all in stride. I think I even seen someone pass the homie a fat corner bag, if I remember correctly. It was a classic rock star moment for sure.

Daniel Dahmer played a set and finally, after all was said and done, the big homies Wiley Doe and Ya Boy Steve hit the stage. I asked Daniel Dahmer what his thoughts were on the show and this is what he had to say: “Medikal Records put on an amazing event, with a bunch of talented artists. It was nice to see a crowd support event again, after such a long drought”.

I had a great time and thought that the Medikal Recordz set was really good too. Just like some of the other acts playing, it was my first chance to catch them live and they did a great job. I have nothing but good things to say about the event and although it was my first event, I’m all about this shit in the future. I hope that Medikal Recordz continues to carry on the tradition. It takes a lot to keep something alive for thirteen years, no matter what it is. My hats are off to these guys for doing what they do and providing a safe haven, for the live music to carry on. Right on homies….

Well that’s about it for now. Keep checking back to ROX-TV for news on shows in Detroit and around country. This summer is shaping up to be a busy time and ROX-TV will be there, live from the field, bringing the readers along for the ride.

Until next time….

Signing off,

Mike Shepard

ROX-TV Head Writer

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