{"id":7834,"date":"2019-08-20T15:43:23","date_gmt":"2019-08-20T22:43:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/hi-lo\/?p=30000001604"},"modified":"2019-08-21T10:28:55","modified_gmt":"2019-08-21T17:28:55","slug":"from-blog-to-a-movement-rise-long-beachs-summer-jam-elevates-local-hip-hop-artists","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/hi-lo\/music\/from-blog-to-a-movement-rise-long-beachs-summer-jam-elevates-local-hip-hop-artists","title":{"rendered":"From blog to a movement, Rise Long Beach’s Summer Jam elevates local hip hop artists"},"content":{"rendered":"

About five years ago, RJ Strickland was hanging out in his friend\u2019s studio as she worked on a painting, gazing with awe at her skill and creativity. Ruminating on the process of coaxing a work of art to completion, he decided the world needed to see her talent and started a blog, RiseLongBeach.com, to showcase her and other local artists.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can appreciate art, I can appreciate the creation of music, the process, what they [artists] have to go through to get it out,\u201d Strickland said.<\/p>\n

Happy being the middleman between artists and the public, he ran the blog and organized art shows for about three years before he started putting on events more regularly; a seamless transition from creating a sense of community online to bringing people together in real life. Summer Jam, which takes place Friday, Aug. 23, is a continuation of that passion to provide an experience for artists and the community.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t just throw a show, I\u2019m trying to give an environment, a place to come network, to be there all day, where you\u2019re there from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and you don\u2019t notice the time go by; a genuine energy,\u201d Strickland said. \u201cSocial media only does so much.\u201d<\/p>\n

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From left to right: RJ Strickland (with hands up), Jay Ali (sound guy), Lupe Seaton (artist\/wearing black hoodie), EPICMUSTDIE (rapper\/ guy with hands in his face), artist Dricasso, Angeli, artist Yung Grotke, artist Bri Olabode, rapper KB Devaughn, DJ\/producer Cassius, rapper HeyDeon, DJ Gennessy and DJ\/producer Dezzie Gee. Courtesy RJ Strickland.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Strickland knows most of the artists performing Friday personally. Saviii 3rd<\/a>, whom he described as \u201cthe biggest hip hop artist out of Long Beach right now,\u201d was recently signed by Birdman to Cash Money West, a subsidiary of Cash Money Records, known for its stock of big name rappers including Lil\u2019 Wayne and Drake. Slated to perform at the Los Angeles iteration of worldwide festival Rolling Loud last year, he wasn\u2019t able to attend, but Strickland said he expects his performance at Summer Jam on Friday \u201cis going to show why he\u2019s the biggest artist in Long Beach; he has a story to tell.\u201d<\/p>\n

Then there\u2019s HeyDeon<\/a>, a rapper just now coming into his own after pursuing sports and skateboarding before finding rap. Strickland goes to almost every one of Deon\u2019s shows, and each time he gets better, he said. Fun fact: Snoop Dogg brought him out on stage during Once Upon a Time in the LBC<\/a> at the Queen Mary last month.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat was his true introduction onto the scene,\u201d Strickland said. \u201cThe crowd resonates with his music, he\u2019s found himself.\u201d<\/p>\n

Both artists released albums this year, HeyDeon\u2019s \u201cSucker for Love<\/a>\u201d and Saviii 3rd\u2019s \u201cAll Eyez on 3<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n

This Friday\u2019s Summer Jam marks the first time a Rise Long Beach event has accepted submissions; part of the lineup includes artists who sent Strickland their music for consideration, something he says helps him keep track of the overflow of burgeoning local talent.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to give new artists a chance to get on board,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n