This Saturday, the alternative and indie rap communities are showing out for some of the region’s most un-mainstream names. LAVA Presents, known for bringing a menage of indie artists to the area, is hosting Chandler, Twin Bee, and Blvckhandz at Chicho’s Backstage on Saturday, July 15th.
Not many know this, but viral rapper Chandler is originally from the 757 and has been performing on and off in the community since he was a teenager. He returns for the first time since moving to New York in 2018 this Saturday.
Chandler has been rapping since 2005, starting it all in Newport News. By 2012, at sixteen years old, Chandler was releasing music publicly and playing on stages across Virginia. In 2018, after graduating from Richmond’s Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts with a BFA in theatrical performance, he took a public break from music to focus on his acting career. After relocating to New York City in early 2020, COVID-19 acted as a reason for Chandler to make a public return to music. So, he did.
Since then, Chandler has been pumping out constant content and getting millions of views online for his wordplay, unique approach to delivery, and outlandish personas.
Chandler is best known for his song “FIGURE IT OUT,” a collaboration with critically-acclaimed producer Stafford Beats and Australian artist YNG Martyr, that amassed over a million streams across platforms in less than 3 weeks.
Twin Bee is 2 of the three-person group the Nerdlucks, who’ve become local legends for their nerd-culture-infused music. Twin Bee is made up of Rusty and Daniel, two lifelong friends rapping about all their favorite stuff. After a break during the pandemic shutdown, a few live streams, and a Beastie Boys cover set at the LAVA Halloween Extravaganza; the Bee is back and ready to catch a buzz!
Derrin Thompson (aka Blvckhndz) is a self-identified introvert who expresses himself in creative ways. Coming from Norfolk and repping RVSHNFK, his collective of creatives, Blvckhndz shares stories that range from childhood trauma, frantic relationships, and involuntary thoughts of self-abuse. The sound of Blvckhndz stems from the inspiration and influence of; Tyler, the creator, Pharrell, Timbaland, Missy Elliot, and Tame Impala. The sonics and energy of his sound are somewhat lo-fi and experimental, with subtle waves of psychedelic influence. Blvckhndz brings you to his world, where he battles his deities while searching for something everyone hopes to achieve… happiness and peace within. Part self-therapy, part narrative world-building, 100% authentic.
WHO: Chandler Atkins, Twin Bee, Blvckhandz
WHAT: Indie Hip Hop and Rap Concert
WHEN: Saturday, July 15, 2023
WHERE: Chicho’s Pizza Backstage
TICKETS: This Link Here
Paul Stetson Rice
Chelsea, NFK
Paul is the creator of NFKVA.com. He was born and raised in Norfolk, graduated from Virginia Tech, and narrowly avoided law school. Chat with him about economics, entrepreneurship, hip-hop, and hiking. When he's not working on five different projects, you'll catch him sharing a beer with friends at a local brewery.
